What Does the Bible Say About That?

What does the Bible say about that? is a question I find myself answering for (and asking of) Big Sis often. Carolyn Larsen has written a book by that title, illustrated by Rick Incrocci, for the 8-12 age range in an effort to answer the type of questions that come up in everyday life. Arranged alphabetically, it's an encyclopedia of 300 topics to Biblically answer the pressing issues for the tween age group. What does the Bible say about greed? Disappointment? Mistakes? Siblings? Anger? You'll find all of that and more within these 340 pages.

Each entry begins with a summary and definition of the topic, followed by Scripture references, a "face the facts" section (devotional thoughts), and is wrapped up with an action section to put the information into practice. Most entries are also accompanied by a cartoon.

What I like about the book:

• "Bite-size" bits of Biblical answers and corresponding Scripture
• Quick and easy to use/understand for the age group
• Great reference book to have on hand
• Emphasizes daily Christian walk for kids, including "second chances"
• Makes practical application of Biblical truth accessible to kids

What I don't like:
As someone who suffered from anorexia as a teen, I don't like the emphasis on weight and body image found in several of the entries. For instance, the entry on "snacks" recommends that kids "write down everything they eat" for the day in order to get a "realistic view" of whether they eat too much junk. I think for the 8-12 age group, a very sensitive and impressionable time of life, this could become obsessive. The cartoon for that entry shows an overweight woman eating a box of doughnuts and proclaiming that they are "97% protein." I think that's totally inappropriate and discriminatory. I teach my daughter that we don't poke fun at people for the way they look, whether it's being overweight or missing teeth or a disability, etc. As I said, I'm speaking as one who developed an eating disorder in my teen years and it's my experience that girls that age don't need any encouragement to worry about their outward appearance and conforming to the world's idea of "beauty." There is a similar tone in the entry on "eating" with an emphasis on not eating too much or gaining too much weight.

Although Big Sis is only 7, this book is not above her comprehension level. I wouldn't hand her the book to read on her own, but with my guidance we were able to find answers to some of her questions. It's a great way to memorize Scripture by topic and to point her toward finding her answers in God, not what the world says.

Published by Crossway Books, it's available for $11.99. You can order it or read more about it by clicking here:

What Does the Bible Say About That? By Carolyn Larsen / Crossway Books & Bibles