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Help me find this children’s bible from the eighties

88 replies

Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 19:12

DS aged 11 is enjoying RE at school and we’ve been discussing bible stories, particularly the creation myths at the beginning. We aren’t religious so his knowledge of the bible is scant. He is very interested in it all.
I was taken to church as a child, was bought a bible and read it again and again, so my knowledge of the bible is good.
I want to get hold of a copy of this bible I had as a kid as they just don’t make them like that any more. They’re all rated U these days, whereas mine was more of a 12 certificate! I’ve looked on eBay but I can’t find it because I can’t remember the publisher.
It was:
Owned and read by me in the eighties
A4 sized and thickish
Had some of the more obscure Old Testament stories, eg. Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego in the fire (great illustration!)
Illustrated on every page - some almost full double-paged illustrations, eg the flood.
Illustrations highly detailed and realistic
Here’s the main clue - the illustrations were graphic, and I mean pretty violent, horrific and memorable. It didn’t shy away from the nasty bits and that’s particularly why I loved it.
Can anyone help me? I reckon if you had it and took a photo of one of the illustrations I would probably remember it.

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viques · 01/12/2021 20:13

If you can’t find it can I recommend City of Gold, a retelling of Bible stories, often from another participants viewpoint. I used to use it when I had to do a religious assembly but didn’t want to go full Bible!

BertieBotts · 01/12/2021 20:15

Wow that picture Shock it looks like some of the photos of refugees trying to cross the channel :(

Belleager · 01/12/2021 20:17

www.adverts.ie/children-babies/1st-edition-ladybird-bible-story-book-hardback/12443245

I don't think so for sure, but maybe this? You can click on the cover for more illustrations. I had a version of this with a different cover. The illustrations were really dark. There was definitely a John the Baptist on a plate, and lots of dark waters and lurid skies. Mine had a better layout though. Ladybird / Scripture Union collaboration, words Jenny Robertson.

banivani · 01/12/2021 20:19

Ha I knew it had to be this one when you said about the pictures. My copy is super dingy and I don’t have the dust cover or anything, but inside it says
The Bible for Children retold by Bridget Hadaway and Jean Atcheson
First published 1973 by Octopus Books ltd (my copy from -76)
ISBN 0706402677

Foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury! And ours a catholic home and everything.

Do you want the picture of the slaying of the children under Herod - horrifying stuff.

GlitchStitch · 01/12/2021 20:22

Tombliboosrule that's the one I had, I think I still have it somewhere.

SilenceOfThePrams · 01/12/2021 20:26

This one.

Stuff of nightmares!

PlanktonsComputerWife · 01/12/2021 20:26

Do you want the picture of the slaying of the children under Herod - horrifying stuff.

Please!

Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:26

Do you want the picture of the slaying of the children under Herod - horrifying stuff.

Oh please do.

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SilenceOfThePrams · 01/12/2021 20:28

John’s head.

Help me find this children’s bible from the eighties
Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:29

that picture shock it looks like some of the photos of refugees trying to cross the channel
Yes, it’s really horrible isn’t it? It’s just like that.

Hard to believe it’s a children’s book.

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Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:30

@SilenceOfThePrams
Oh that’s quite funny. She looks so wistful.

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mynameiscalypso · 01/12/2021 20:30

I don't even know where to start on the pic of John's head. I think the creepiest bit is the man who is clearly checking out the woman's bum.

Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:31

@SilenceOfThePrams
Yes, that’s the picture I remember of the guys in the fire. Just amazing.
And yes, the stuff of nightmares.

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Tillymintpolo · 01/12/2021 20:32

I had that one, and the one with the yellow / gold cover too

banivani · 01/12/2021 20:32

Actually it’s really grim and I don’t know if I should. There’s blood on the sword for heaven’s sake! :( Most of the pictures in the book are men with striped headdresses talking and pointing earnestly but then there are these horrifying depictions of utter violence. It was very gripping though for a child and I do in a way prefer it to sanitised cutesy animals iyswim.

banivani · 01/12/2021 20:33

Oh the head of John! So many good pictures!

PlanktonsComputerWife · 01/12/2021 20:33

There are a couple on eBay, OP

Fab work, banivani!

banivani · 01/12/2021 20:35

God sure I did nothing! Hope the OP gets a copy though! The stories in it are actually really good, I mean it’s a solid bible.

Somebodylikeyew · 01/12/2021 20:35

Wow, that’s amazing/disturbing! Grin

Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:36

Thanks everyone, I’m so grateful and especially banivani, you star!!

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Livpool · 01/12/2021 20:37

Did it have a blue cover with gold writing OP?

Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:37

Most of the pictures in the book are men with striped headdresses talking and pointing earnestly

GrinFunnily enough, I don’t remember any of those.

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banivani · 01/12/2021 20:40

@Nuffaluff

Most of the pictures in the book are men with striped headdresses talking and pointing earnestly

GrinFunnily enough, I don’t remember any of those.

Grin right?

They sort of made an impression actually because the amount of fabric everyone is wearing and it’s all in these impressive folds. I’ve always enjoyed that.

One more photo since I chickened out of Herod. A sexy one, v child appropriate. Wink

Help me find this children’s bible from the eighties
Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:44

The ones on eBay don’t show the pictures inside. Ad some of them don’t show the cover! Frustrating.
What if I end up with an edition with the words by Hadaway and co but without the parental guidance required illustrations?

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Nuffaluff · 01/12/2021 20:48

Looking at world of books it looks as if some copies might be more modern with updated , toned-down illustrations.
I think I might have to go ‘old and rare’.

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