A collection of 52 Bible stories that focuses on God’s love and portrays people with skin tones typical of the regions in which the stories took place.

This work, with illustrations that correct modern Western misrepresentations of Jesus as someone with “white skin, blue eyes, and blond hair,” is divided into two sections—“Old Testament Stories” and “New Testament Stories.” In the first half, readers will encounter the tales of Joseph, who forgave his jealous brothers for selling him into slavery; Moses, who led the Hebrews out of Egypt; and the daughters of Zelophehad, who fought to inherit their father’s land, among others. The second section, which focuses on Jesus’ message to “love God, neighbor, and self,” covers events including his baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection, as well as the Pentecost and the Revelation of John. While the book does a great job of emphasizing that God’s love is for everyone, the manner of delivery, which is heavily explanatory, robs the narrative of much interest. The audience is also unclear: Younger children may grow restless with the long passages of text and struggle to read the small font independently, while older readers may find that the overall design and appearance feel aimed at younger kids. Although this volume represents a noble attempt to portray brown and Black people in the Bible, the illustrations are uninspired and simplistic.

Informational tidbits about world holidays will leave readers hoping for more details.

Originally published in Great Britain, this small volume (the size of an elongated board book), perhaps intended as a gift item, tries for diversity but is still heavily weighted toward European traditions. Arranged seasonally, it starts off with a posh New Year celebration with tuxedos and paper crowns (and white faces) although the text mentions “Not every community celebrates its new year on the first day of January. China, Iran, and India are among the many countries that call other dates ‘New Year.’ ” Some headings are amusing. “Great Balls of Fire!” (more memorable to adults than children) leads off the explanation of Hogmanay (New Year) in Stonehaven, Scotland, where inhabitants in kilts celebrate with incendiary derring-do, pictured in a thumbnail vignette. The fierce Hungarian masks used to scare winters away are fun, and the celebration of Holi in India shows up in a double-page spread exploding with color. The Eyo festival of the Yoruba people of Lagos, Nigeria, is presented as a “winter celebration”; it is paired with a Shetland Islands festival, which is the one that’s pictured. Islamic festivals are omitted. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah is included briefly, but the Easter and Christmas (evidently celebrated in “every country”) descriptions don’t mention Christianity. There is neither index nor sources.