The Shadow and the Promise

Read my full review at SpoiledMilks (August 29, 2024)

How do we get our kids interested in the Bible? In the Old Testament? How do we get them to see the point of the Old Testament, in all of its odd detailed-ness, and how it points to Jesus? Marty Machowski has taken seven Bible stories and reimagined them through the eyes of animals who have witnessed the events firsthand. The stories aren’t changed, only the perspectives through which they are read.

Each chapter begins with a pair of animals running around hanging out with other animals. They either run into the serpent (as in the first two chapters) or straight into the biblical event. Through a wise white dove named Daniel, Machowski shows how these OT stories foreshadow how Jesus will rescue and redeem his people. Each chapter ends with a good list of Bible verses that contribute to that story’s theology. The book ends with study questions and an answer key for each chapter.

One thing I really appreciated was that Machowski's properly interprets Scripture. Not only does he point accurately to Jesus, he interprets the OT texts well. One perfect example is in chapter 4 with the binding of Isaac (Gen 22). Machowski doesn’t interpret Abraham’s obedience to God’s command as a leap of faith, but focuses on promises to Abraham as the basis for Abraham’s obedience (Gen 15:12–14).

Recommended?
This is a fun book for kids going through the stories they know while faithfully pointing them to Jesus and his work for us. I have read a few of Machowski’s works, and I really appreciate his emphasis on the gospel and how he properly interprets the stories. He is able to relay the Bible’s message to children without making it childish, showing that it is possible to teach them gospel truths and God’s overarching message without goofy antics.

Disclosure: I received this book free from New Growth Press. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

A wonderful book that is entertaining for the kids! Love that it is factual to the Bible, but from the viewpoint of the animals.

Great book! Not only is the story well done, the cover, font, everything was fantastic!

The Shadow and the Promise covers select Bible stories from creation to the Passover, told from the perspective of the animals. The animals really kept my kids engaged and added humor without compromising the biblical accounts of these stories. We loved Daniel the dove who showed up in every chapter to explain how each story points to Gods redemption plan as he answers the animals questions. This book is definitely worth buying! Perfect for morning basket during homeschool, family devotions or for independent readers.

Liked that it showed the events from the Bible but from the animals view.

A cute book for children! I was interested to go through it, in case it ever gets translated in Rumanian. For small children it might get them confused with what the Bible says and what comes from the author’s imagination. For kids that are over 10 years old this book might be a great plus for the Bible reading. The idea of following the animal’s perspective through the Biblie stories made me interested in the books content.

This book is so cute! We have five little girls between the ages of 10 and 2. I started to read a chapter a night with them and they loved it. Such a great way to spark creativity as well as biblical conversations. I highly recommend this book as well as anything from this author. Everything we’ve used from this author has been outstanding.

The Redemption Tales ~ a series of bible stories retold from the perspective of the animals who could have witnessed the events first hand. Follow the conflict of good and evil, the hope of the promised one and the long anticipated return of the king.

"There's something marvelous about a talking animal that makes for a good tale". Indeed!

This would be a great story for young readers. Perhaps a chapter a night as a bedtime story. There are a couple of scary parts, but nothing too bad. Looks like there are some illustrations in the book, so I bet that makes the story extra fun.

Narration notes:
I always like when author's narrate their own books. I feel it gives it a little extra umph.

This is a story told from the animals perspective of biblical accounts. As always with Marty, the biblical content was solid. I found the characters amusing but was disappointed to see they were not connected across chapters. Meeting new characters each chapter made it hard for the flow of the story and for building depth. I think a few more illustrations would have been helpful too. Overall cute read, I think my kids will like it.

my kids ages 3-8 love these stories. they get a little long sometimes, so we can't read a chapter in one sitting, but they enjoy the stories and bring a new and funny perspective to Bible stories.

How do we get our kids interested in the Bible? In the Old Testament? How do we get them to see the point of the Old Testament, in all of its odd detailed-ness, and how it points to Jesus? Marty Machowski has taken seven Bible stories and reimagined them through the eyes of animals who have witnessed the events firsthand. The stories aren’t changed, only the perspectives through which they are read.

Each chapter begins with a pair of animals running around hanging out with other animals. They either run into the serpent (as in the first two chapters) or straight into the biblical event. Through a wise white dove named Daniel, Machowski shows how these OT stories foreshadow how Jesus will rescue and redeem his people. Each chapter ends with a good list of Bible verses that contribute to that story’s theology. The book ends with study questions and an answer key for each chapter.

One thing I really appreciated was that Machowski's properly interprets Scripture. Not only does he point accurately to Jesus, he interprets the OT texts well. One perfect example is in chapter 4 with the binding of Isaac (Gen 22). Machowski doesn’t interpret Abraham’s obedience to God’s command as a leap of faith, but focuses on promises to Abraham as the basis for Abraham’s obedience (Gen 15:12–14).

Recommended?
This is a fun book for kids going through the stories they know while faithfully pointing them to Jesus and his work for us. I have read a few of Machowski’s works, and I really appreciate his emphasis on the gospel and how he properly interprets the stories. He is able to relay the Bible’s message to children without making it childish, showing that it is possible to teach them gospel truths and God’s overarching message without goofy antics.

How do we get our kids interested in the Bible? In the Old Testament? How do we get them to see the point of the Old Testament, in all of its odd detailed-ness, and how it points to Jesus? Marty Machowski has taken seven Bible stories and reimagined them through the eyes of animals who have witnessed the events firsthand. The stories aren’t changed, only the perspectives through which they are read.

Each chapter begins with a pair of animals running around hanging out with other animals. They either run into the serpent (as in the first two chapters) or straight into the biblical event. Through a wise white dove named Daniel, Machowski shows how these OT stories foreshadow how Jesus will rescue and redeem his people. Each chapter ends with a good list of Bible verses that contribute to that story’s theology. The book ends with study questions and an answer key for each chapter.

One thing I really appreciated was that Machowski's properly interprets Scripture. Not only does he point accurately to Jesus, he interprets the OT texts well. One perfect example is in chapter 4 with the binding of Isaac (Gen 22). Machowski doesn’t interpret Abraham’s obedience to God’s command as a leap of faith, but focuses on promises to Abraham as the basis for Abraham’s obedience (Gen 15:12–14).

Recommended?
This is a fun book for kids going through the stories they know while faithfully pointing them to Jesus and his work for us. I have read a few of Machowski’s works, and I really appreciate his emphasis on the gospel and how he properly interprets the stories. He is able to relay the Bible’s message to children without making it childish, showing that it is possible to teach them gospel truths and God’s overarching message without goofy antics.

I was encouraged to try this and we purchased the first in the series for a coop class. I ended up purchasing the entire series for my own kids and grand kids. So excited for new great literature.

This book provides a unique perspective of the Bible stories found in Genesis and Exodus. It is written from the point of view of animals who may have witnessed these events. My son who is almost 5 enjoyed it as a read aloud and was very intrigued by what was going to happen next! I love that author added Bible study questions and reading at the end. We are looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

I received a free copy of this book from New Growth Press in exchange for my honest review.

Marty Machowski’s The Shadow and the Promise is the first book in The Redemption Tales series and takes readers on a journey through various Bible stories, looking at it from the perspective of the animals. Readers experience first hand accounts from the animals as they see the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, The Tower of Babel, Abraham’s Sacrifice, and Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors unfold. As the animals are observing the humans behavior in each story, the animals marvel at how easily the humans react to God and the situations they are in. From the first story in The Shadow and the Promise to the last, the animals wonder how God will rectify the damage the humans have done to His Creation. In each story Daniel the Dove visit the animals, reminded them that God’s answer to fixing the damage humans created is in The Shadow and the Promise. The Shadow and the Promise is one of the most creative books I have read by Marty Machowski. I love that Mr. Machowski wrote The Shadow and the Promise from the animals perspective. I love how Mr. Machowski wrote the animals to have an innate instinct of who their Creator is and the Respect and Awe He deserves. I love the Bible stories Mr. Machowski uses and that he wrote them in order as they are in the Bible. I also love the Biblical references that are included in each story at the end of each chapter. I love that Daniel the Dove was a main thread through the entire book. I believe The Shadow and the Promise would be perfect for any young reader up to an adult. I also think The Shadow and the Promise could be a good pick for a Christian Book Club (especially if you wanted to start one for young ones) or a youth Bible Study. You could also use The Shadow and the Promise in a Christian Education setting or a use it as a part of a Family Devotion Time. I love The Shadow and the Promise from beginning to end and cannot wait to see what Marty Machowski does with The Redemption Tales! I highly recommend The Shadow and the Promise by Marty Machowski!

What a fun little book! This book shares stories throughout both Genesis to Exodus from the eyes of animals. I thought this was a creative and fun way to share Bible stories and Biblical truths to young readers. I really appreciated the Truth Behind the Tales which includes study questions referring back to the Word of God. I could see this book/ series being used for a Sunday school class or Bible school, complete with animal puppets for re-enacting the stories within.

I think my favorite story was "Are you an Ostrich?" Gabi was such a likeable character, and I can see young readers laughing aloud at her antics.
In two other stories, the following quotes really stuck out to me and made me think about the application in my own life:

"Then I will not turn away...I will watch God's plan unfold (through my master)"

Even when things look dark or hopeless, we should trust His plan and not look away, but look to Him and watch His plan unfold.
And:

"Complaining closes your eyes to the blessings around you."

I believe this wholeheartedly and often share similar advice to my husband and kids, we have to look for the good (sometimes it's hard to find, but it is always their) because Jesus is our Lord, Savior, friend, protector, etc. The list goes on.

I would absolutely recommend this for young readers and families.

My favorite thing about this book was that it makes you “sit” in these stories a little more. As someone who has read all of these stories many times, it gave me a different perspective, really imagining what it would have been like to be there… the real people, the real animals, the conversations that might have taken place.

While each chapter is a different story from the Bible and thus different animal narrators, there are two animals that make appearances throughout the whole thing: the serpent(s) who often lurks in the shadows and is always behind the deception of God’s people, and then a dove who teaches and gives insight into God’s plan and promises.

I also love the study questions & answer key in the back of the book which includes references for further study and discussion with your kids.

Highly recommend this one if you’ve got an elementary/middle schooler in your home.

I was excited to see this book and curious about what it would be like, since I have several of Marty Machowski's picture books already. I was not disappointed! This offers Genesis history in a fun and engaging way, and balances laughter with seriousness as it teaches kids about the Bible through the eyes of animal characters. What a great find!

I bought this to read to my homeschooled boys, but personally loved the stories too.

What a fun little book! This book shares stories throughout both Genesis to Exodus from the eyes of animals. I thought this was a creative and fun way to share Bible stories and Biblical truths to young readers. I really appreciated the Truth Behind the Tales which includes study questions referring back to the Word of God. I could see this book/ series being used for a Sunday school class or Bible school, complete with animal puppets for re-enacting the stories within.

I think my favorite story was "Are you an Ostrich?" Gabi was such a likeable character, and I can see young readers laughing aloud at her antics.
In two other stories, the following quotes really stuck out to me and made me think about the application in my own life:

"Then I will not turn away...I will watch God's plan unfold (through my master)"

Even when things look dark or hopeless, we should trust His plan and not look away, but look to Him and watch His plan unfold.
And:

"Complaining closes your eyes to the blessings around you."

I believe this wholeheartedly and often share similar advice to my husband and kids, we have to look for the good (sometimes it's hard to find, but it is always their) because Jesus is our Lord, Savior, friend, protector, etc. The list goes on.

I would absolutely recommend this for young readers and families.

You'd think that a book of Bible stories being narrated by animals would be childish but this is not. The author did such a beautiful job choosing his animals. Groundogs almost caught by diggers building Babel, cats in Joseph's palace that kill snakes to protect the humans & oxen that can't decide if they are better off free from Egypt or stay in slavery. These stories go deeper than you'd expect. A dove named Daniel always shows up to tell the creatures how what they are living out will be tied to Jesus and the ultimate promise. Since each chapter is a different Bible story, I think this would make a really fun book to read together as a family. I promise it will generate conversation both serious and fun. Note: The book has more stories than I mentioned. They are all Old Testament, but all are linked to Jesus.