Thinking Thursdays: Bible stories for kids

While we've not been doing much bible-related activities these few months... Junior J and I have been reading stories from the Bible almost every day.  We used to try to read a story or two, plus a Bible passage every morning after he woke up, but that made the whole moving from bed to breakfast table process very long (especially on days the boy woke up grumpy!).  So now this routine has been shifted to at night.

Right now, the boy seems to prefer the stories about Jesus and the miracles he performed, compared to the stories of various people in the Old Testament.  Perhaps its because the whole myriad of characters in the OT can get pretty confusing.  However, he does have certain favourites, such as Noah, and Jonah (I think he just likes any story with animals in them!).

I've yet to find an ideal collection of Bible stories though.  We've been ping-ponging between the two books shown above (or sometimes we read actual passages from the NIV version, and then I paraphrase the passages), and I must say I prefer the ones in the Candle Bible for Kids.  Junior J also seems to be fascinated with the maps that have been included inside, but I'd admit I'll prefer something with less cartoony illustrations instead.  Does anyone have other titles to recommend?

Meanwhile, we're just glad to say that all those stories seem to be having a positive effect on the boy.  On days the boy is being difficult, you just have to ask him about "what happened to Jonah when he disobeyed God?".  He immediately gives in!  (But of course we try not to use this method if possible.)  We also get funny conversations like this one during breakfast:

Junior J (examining his spoonful of pear): God says I can eat pear!  And I can eat apple!

Me: Oh, did He tell you that?

Junior J: Yes, but I'm not supposed to eat the fruit!  (Referring to the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden)