Good illustrated Bible stories for 4 and 6 yr olds?

[Subhuti]

I'm a zen buddhist but want to teach my girls about Christianity -- for many reasons:  I was raised as one and really value the teachings.  Their extended family is Episcopalian.  They actually are baptized.  I want them to feel open to practice what spirituality is best.

I bought them Rabbit Ears Bible Stories ... and they were all so violent.  My four-year old couldn't get over the river of blood in the Moses stories ... and the slaughtering of the lambs ... I had forgotten how dark things were back in the Old Testament.

Are there any good Bible stories books that you all like?  I'd particularily love to share the teachings and life of Christ ... (yes, I know, lots of violence there at the end ...).

Looking forward to any ideas ...

[MissSJ]

I am curious too 

[la mamita]

Tomie de Paola has a nice bible stories book.

I also like this by Desmond Tutu: http://www.amazon.com/Children-Storybook-Bible-Archbishop-Desmond/dp/0310719127

[lilyka]

I really like Arch books (I won't lie, I am totally biased because my grandpa is one of their best selling authors :D )

Read through them first though because some writers are better than  others and some illustrators are better than others.  one that Grandpa did ended up with such bad illustrations it was actually pulled off the market and re-released with more appropriate illustrations :-o 

The ones that are god are very good and very sweet.  They are short and sweet and rhyme and have a good flow. And they are cheap.

[kangamitroo]

Originally Posted by la mamita 

Tomie de Paola has a nice bible stories book.

I also like this by Desmond Tutu: http://www.amazon.com/Children-Storybook-Bible-Archbishop-Desmond/dp/0310719127

i did not know about the Desmond tutu book, but i love the idea.

we are not a christian family fwiw, and dd has enjoyed the Usborne Family Bible.  illustrations are beautiful and the stories are written in a way that is fairly universalist, i think.