I'll admit it: as a Bible nerd, I've got a pretty spicy hot take. With all the love and reverence I have for Scripture, I need to say it—sometimes reading the Bible feels… confusing and even a little dry. Let's be clear, that's not the Bible's fault. The truth is, the Bible was written for us, but not to us. We're essentially reading other people's mail—ancient letters, histories, and poems written in cultures full of inside jokes, shared references, and unspoken assumptions we don't naturally catch.

Sure, study tools and commentaries help bridge that gap. But sometimes the best way to bring Scripture to life isn't more technical—it's more playful. That's why I believe every adult should own a Children's Storybook Bible. Yes, really. And here's why.

1. Storybook Bibles help you see what you're reading.

*“Anointing the Head of Jesus”,* Elsie Anna Wood (1887-1973)

Most of us are visual learners, even if we don't like to admit it. Kids' Bibles lean on illustrations to tell the story, and honestly? Adults need that too.

As an artist, I've always loved the visual world of Storybook Bibles. Illustrators have the challenging task of translating rich theology into simple, accessible imagery. And that artistry matters—it sparks the imagination and makes the text less intimidating.

One of my favorites is Elsie Anna Wood (1887–1978), a British illustrator who traveled the Holy Land in the early 20th century. She lived among locals, learned their culture, and painted vivid scenes that still feel authentic today. When I read the Gospels, I often picture her work—it plays like a movie in my mind.

Visuals and the Bible have a long and complicated history (learn more here). There are many illustrators today who have pushed to make sure the many different shades of God's people are represented. For some, this may feel like a small thing, but it is crucial. The Bible was written by brown, poor, often colonized and marginalized people living in the Near East on land separated between Asia, Africa, and Europe. Visualizing them as they were or as non-white is a powerful way of seeing the stories and their deeper themes in a refreshing way.

2. Storybook Bibles highlight themes.

The Bible is full of stories, and it can feel like they're all over the place. Storybook Bibles often focus on a single central theme.

Take the theme of God's Kingdom:

Adam and Eve → losing the Kingdom.
Moses → God rescuing His people from a false Kingdom.
Esther → God working through someone in a corrupt Kingdom.
Jesus' sermon in Nazareth → announcing the Kingdom is breaking in.

Suddenly, the Bible feels less like a random anthology and more like one big, connected story. Storybook Bibles can help train your eyes to see these through-lines that are already there—patterns you might have missed.

3. Storybook Bibles simplify the hard stuff.

Let's be real—some parts of the Bible are tough, with complex imagery, strange details, and wild visions. A Storybook Bible can give you the "explain it like you're five" version without stripping away the meaning.

I learned this the hard way during a Bible study on Revelation. After weeks of collective confusion, I brought in a Storybook Bible. We read the actual text first, then the kids' version. The illustrations and simplified storytelling helped us finally visualize what was happening—and focus on the heart of the passage, rather than getting lost in the details.

Your time in Scripture shouldn't feel like a chore. Yes, there are moments for deep, meditative study. But there should also be moments of delight—where the Bible feels like a story that grabs your imagination and won't let go. That's what Storybook Bibles do. They remind us to approach God's Word with curiosity, wonder, and even playfulness.

After decades of collecting Bibles of every kind, I can say this with confidence: if you want to rediscover Scripture freshly, grab a Storybook Bible. It may surprise you just how much it changes your reading experience.