DS2 has asked Santa for a Bible...

[letmehelp]

I'm not exactly sure how the two stories fit together, but on the basis that FC appeared at the church Christmas Fete, I think it's a reasonable request. Can anyone advise on what FC should get?

I have a Good News version, from my Sunday School days which I still use, our current church uses King James (I think that's what it's called?). Ideally I suppose it should have reasonably large print and few pictures. Where's the best place too look? Is it going to cost the earth?

Depending on how old your DS is, I can recommend this one for 8-12yos:

www.amazon.co.uk/International-Childrens-Bible-Century-Version/dp/0850099013/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1323247399&sr=8-8

It doesn't meet the "large print" criterion, but is a genuine bible, and we've also used it at church. In fact I've used it myself when I've struggled with a passage

Thanks you Mary, that does look lovely, but what he wants is a "real" bible in which he'll be able to follow the reading in church i.e. it needs to have the same words!

He's 8 and a decent reader, although, I agree this children's versions looks like a better idea in terms of actually understanding what he's reading.

Can you get away with just buying a KJV New Testament? There are things in the Old Testament that I would consider unsuitable reading for an 8 year old (gang rape, sodomy, mass murder, piles of foreskins, bears eating children, etc.)

If he wants to follow the words when the readings are being done in church, then he will have to have the same version - so if they use King James (lots of thees and thous and begats) then that's what you'll have to get. Some may have a clearer font than others, or slightly larger font and pages, but you can only really tell by looking.

I wouldn't really recommend it as a version for trying to understand, the language may be pretty but it has to be thought through in detail to make sense of it, but if he wants to follow the readings you're a bit stuck.

Cambridge University Press has a large print KJV Bible. If he's following the readings in church then this might help him do so. I have a Cambridge NRSV and the print is very clear.

I don't know why people are assuming that readings in church will be from the King James version. They aren't in my church, or in any of the other several that I've visited over the last few years.

The one MaryBeWaiting has recommended is a real Bible. In fact it's a really excellent translation of the real Bible that is specifically aimed at 8-12 year olds. My daughter has one and the language is perfect - easy enough to understand without being remotely dumbed down.

However, if he really wants to follow the readings in church word for word, you have to get the translation that is used in that church. Find out what that's called and get on Amazon to find a nice-looking copy. Or possibly use this site which is a specific Christian bookshop.

They (usually) are in our church Wanda

Sorry - missed the bit where you said your church does use King James. If that's the case, I guess this would hit the spot. Specifically aimed at boys of 8-12 and with the words he will hear in church. Actually, it looks quite cool!

If he wants the exact one thats in church, it could in fact be the New King James, which is a more modern translation. Perhaps you should just call your church and check?

Yes, of course, I must phone the minister...must also stop relying on mumsnet to solve everything for me Thank you all for your lovely suggestions, which I will discuss with her tomorrow.