{"id":22617,"date":"2018-04-03T05:33:04","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T12:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ordinary-fan.flywheelsites.com\/?p=22617"},"modified":"2023-09-27T18:55:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T01:55:43","slug":"bible-review-nirv-seek-and-explore-holy-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redeemedreader.com\/bible-review-nirv-seek-and-explore-holy-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"Bible Review: NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

The<\/em> NIrV Seek & Explore Bible takes a learning-styles approach that will be helpful for some kids but distracting for others.\u00a0 Ages 6-10<\/em><\/p>\n

NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible: Hunting for God\u2019s Treasure<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Zonderkidz, 2018, 1824 pages<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Recommended for<\/strong>: ages 7-10\"\"<\/p>\n

This edition of the NIrV (simplified translation for primary grades) is brand-new, and it has some unique features.\u00a0 First off, notice the rainbow-colored edges, corresponding to a non-traditional classification of books.\u00a0 In the Old Testament, Genesis-Esther are grouped under the heading \u201cIsrael\u2019s Covenant History\u201d and keyed to red.\u00a0 \u201cIsrael\u2019s Wisdom and Songs\u201d (Job-Ecclesiastes) are orange, \u201cIsrael\u2019s Prophets\u201d includes both major and minor and are colored orange.\u00a0 In the NT, Matthew-Acts are labeled as \u201cStories about Jesus\u201d (green), \u201cLetters from Paul\u201d (teal).\u00a0 Hebrews is called \u201cMessages on Staying Faithful\u201d (blue) and James is \u201cWisdom Teaching\u201d (purple).\u00a0 \u201cLetters from Other Leaders\u201d (lilac) covers I Peter-III John, and Revelation is \u201cAn Apocalypse\u201d\u2014seems like they could have come up with a more child-friendly title than \u201capocalypse.\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s an interesting arrangement, and there\u2019s nothing unbiblical about it, but if you want your children to learn the standard Moses-History-Poetry etc. classifications, this could be confusing.<\/p>\n

The Exploration theme combines with a treasure- hunt theme in the introductory \u201cBase Camp,\u201d where readers preview six \u201csites\u201d that map the overarching narrative of the Bible.\u00a0 Next we meet the nine cartoon characters that will pop up throughout the text.\u00a0 These are animal figures that represent nine learning styles (or nine \u201csmarts,\u201d if we take a Katherine Koch approach<\/strong><\/a>).\u00a0 They are called \u201cWayees,\u201d which is a play on ways of learning<\/em> as well as the early designation of Christianity as \u201cThe Way.\u201d \u00a0It\u2019s also a pretty awkward name. \u00a0Greeny learns through nature, Talky through verbal interaction, Thinky is analytical, Arty is a visual learner, Joinme loves to get people together . . . and so on.\u00a0 Each of these takes their turn suggesting ways to engage readers in ways that correspond to individual learning styles (write a list, discuss a question, think of ways to solve a problem, make a nature collage, etc.).<\/p>\n

This seems like a well-meaning but limited approach.\u00a0 Seek & Explore<\/em> may be more helpful as a teacher resource than a kid\u2019s reading text, as the various suggestions won\u2019t appeal to everyone and may be more distracting than not to the young reader.\u00a0 But I like the way informational notes are scattered throughout the text because they\u2019re all formatted in the same simple, no-frills style.\u00a0 I also like the one-column layout.\u00a0 But the small font (8.75) isn\u2019t ideal for the age group.\u00a0 Taken as a whole,\u00a0Seek & Explore<\/em>, like the NLT Hands On Bible<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, would seem to work better as an activity guide for teachers than a child\u2019s first Bible.<\/p>\n

Overall rating: 3.5<\/strong> (out of 5)<\/p>\n

To browse our earlier reviews, click The Good Book<\/em> under the Reviews tab, or type \u201cBible Reviews\u201d in the search box on the right side of this page.\u00a0 For a particular\u00a0 translation, type \u201cBible Reviews\u201d followed by the translation initials (NIV, NIrV, ESV, NKJV, etc).\u00a0 Also see these helpful posts:<\/p>\n

Our Comparison of Bible Translation<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Choosing Your Child’s First REAL Bible: Some Considerations<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n