In the Beginning: The Storybook Bible

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is a nationally-recognized leader in the fields of Theater for Young Audiences and Jewish Education. He is the founder of The K’ilu Company, creating projects that activate Jewish early childhood through theater and imaginative play. Jonathan served as founding project director of Aggadah Adventures at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, staging Jewish stories as immersive theater experiences for children and families. He is part of the inaugural cohort of the Mandel Institute’s Jewish Education Leadership Program and a Jewish Education Project Young Pioneers Award recipient. He serves on the theater faculty at Northwestern University, teaching coursework on Sensory Theater. As a writer and director, Jonathan has created new theatrical work for children and families at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. He holds an M.A. in Educational Theatre from NYU and a B.A. in English Literature/Theatre Arts from Boston University. He currently lives in Northbrook, IL. César Garcés is an artist and children's book illustrator. He is the illustrator for Meeting an Astronaut. As a recent graduate of graphic design, César has a passion for art and is excited about the future of digital illustration. He lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

"This bright­ly illus­trat­ed vol­ume teach­es chil­dren about the Bible in a clear, easy-to-read way. Read­ers learn about Adam, Eve, and a host of charm­ing ani­mals, as well as their expul­sion from Eden. The book also fea­tures Abra­ham and Sarah, Hagar, and the Tow­er of Babel. The author gen­tly teach­es read­ers lessons by describ­ing Abra­ham’s joy at the birth of Isaac, Rebec­ca­’s care of thirsty camels, and the ten­sions between Jacob and Esau. The book goes on to explore Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt and his reunit­ing with his broth­ers, as well as the slav­ery of the Israelites and the birth of Moses, the leader who will bring them to free­dom. As the Jew­ish peo­ple trav­el through the desert toward the Promised Land, read­ers get a taste of their tri­als and triumphs.The author shares help­ful tips for bring­ing these tales to life for an audi­ence of young peo­ple. This is a won­der­ful com­pi­la­tion of the foun­da­tion­al sto­ries of the Jew­ish peo­ple, one that can be used both in edu­ca­tion­al set­tings and at home." —Jewish Book Council"Author Jonathan Shmidt Chapman does a masterful job of interpreting the foundational stories of the Torah for the very young. In the Beginning: My Storybook Bible retells thirty stories from the books of Genesis and Exodus in simple and appealing language that is accessible for lap-sit and independent readers alike. Familiar stories include Creation, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and the ladder, Moses in the basket, and the Jewish people entering the land of Israel are all presented in colloquial text.Evocative and colorful illustrations by Cesar Garcés adorn almost every page. These rich images help to imprint the meaning and values of the Torah stories in the imagination and memory of the young. At eight inches by six inches, this charming volume is just the right size for little hands.In the Beginning: My Storybook Bible is recommended for Jewish schools and homes as well as for Christians learning the Old Testament." —Association of Jewish Libraries

• Table of ContentsLet There Be EverythingAdam and Eve Take a BiteNoah and the Fierce FloodThe Tower of BabelAbraham and Sarah’s Big AdventureHagar and the Wonderful WishSarah and the Welcoming TentRebecca and the Thirsty CamelsBrothers and the BirthrightJacob Takes the BlessingJacob and the Ladder to the SkyRachel and Leah Work TogetherThe Reunion of the BrothersJoseph and His Wild DreamsJoseph Has A PlanThe Case of the Stolen CupShifra and Puah Save the DayThe Baby in the BasketThe Burning BushLet My People Go!Moses, Lead the Way!The Israelites and the Red SeaA Bid Day at SinaiThe Golden CalfBezalel Builds Something BeautifulAdventures of the ScoutsAre We There Yet?The Sisters Who Spoke UpMoses Hit the RockLead Us to the Land