From his birth in a lowly stable in Bethlehem, through his miraculous days as healer and prophet, to his death by crucifixion and his resurrection, Jesus's life is chronicled in a friendly, accessible way by Geraldine McCaughrean. Appealing watercolor paintings by Anna C. Leplar harmonize beautifully with McCaughrean's engaging storytelling style. Young readers need not be intimidated by the overwhelming mass of text found in the New Testament; with this introduction to many of its best-known stories, children will be given a taste of the Bible that will whet their thirst for more. The collection includes 38 stories and parables, including "The First Christmas," "Forty Days in the Wilderness," Wicked Women," "A Meal for Five Thousand," and "Jesus on Trial." The talented author/illustrator team also collaborated on the award-winning companion volume, God's People: Stories from the Old Testament. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter