The Hurry-Up Exit from Egypt (A Faith that God Built Book) by Gary Bower & illustrated by Barbara Chotiner

My thoughts: Most folks who enjoy the rollicking rhyme of the folk story in verse or rhyme "This Is the House that Jack Built" want to pass the joy of the chant, song, rhyme, repetition for which this nursery rhyme is famous. Now if you love that, you will absolutely love Gary Bower's new set of Biblical rhymes in the same style and cadence as the House that Jack Built. I previously reviewed A Patch on the Peak of Ararat (A Faith that God Built Book) and enjoyed it so very much that I looked forward to more from Mr. Bower.

And I am again so very pleased. The Hurry-Up Exit from Egypt just rolls along and it builds with excitement as Moses and the Israelites cross the Red Sea and the Egyptians get swamped by the water. And as I read it I could feel the "hurry-up exit from Egypt" building with perhaps a touch of what those Israelites felt as they exited Egypt.

But this is intended as a children's picture book with story in rhyme. That is just what it is. And this retelling of God's faithful protection of Moses and the Israelites as they left Egypt is presented on a level for the child that portrays excitement, adventure, and awe. The illustrations are bold and beautifully done. The text is full of words that will capture the child's attention - fun words and yet they don't detract from the truth of this Bible story (short excerpts below)

feet that were frantic and fleet

Israelites thrown in a fit, panicking, scampering, lickety-split  

an eye-popping sight 

water heaped high on the left and the right

This series is true to Scripture with reference to the whole story in Exodus 12-14 plus a petinent Bible verse. I recommend this series as fun ways to learn about Bible stories.

About the book: The Faith that God Built series by Gary Bower uses the same whimsical style of storytelling as The House that Jack Built, using rhyme to introduce preschoolers through second graders to favorite Bible stories. Gary has a well-developed talent for creating engaging narratives that also teach biblical truth through rhyme.

The Hurry-Up Exit from Egypt takes readers along as Moses leads God’s people out of slavery in Egypt and toward the Promised Land.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Pub. to facilitate a review. These are my own opinions and I was not compensated.