The Life of Jesus Hardback

This is one of these books that makes you wonder why no-one has thought of it before – trust Tim Dowley to think of it!

The story of Jesus’ life and ministry is told very briefly on the inside pages of the cover which unfold into three pages, each telling the stories that happened in a particular place, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Capernaum, The Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem. The detail is on the centre pages. These unfold to give a four page spread to each scene, so the first page is ‘Nazareth: Jesus’ Home Town’ and here you can ‘Look closer’ to see the many different incidents illustrated on the same page. There is the Angel appearing to Mary, and Mary & Joseph returning with Jesus from exile in Egypt and many other scenes, not all biblical, but showing how life was lived in Jesus’ time. The sower broadcasting his seed, the boys playing hide-and-seek, the women grinding corn - all on the same pages.

Likewise the other locations are a compilation of events both Biblical and every-day happenings in Jesus’ time. Scenes you expect to find, such as Mary and Joseph being turned away from the inn at Bethlehem to men sitting on a roof top discussing the contents of the scrolls before them; in Capernaum, Jesus preaching in the synagogue and the Roman men in their bath and so on in the remaining locations.

Once you work out how the pages open – and a young child may need some help – this is a superb teaching aid that is fun and informative at the same time.