A popular, 30-year-old children's Bible story series finally arrives in the U.S. next month when Scotland-based Christian Focus Publications begins distribution of Moses: Man of God and Paul: The Wise Preacher.

Collectively, the 16 softcover books by Carine Mackenzie for children ages 4 through 7 have sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide. Each 32-page book will retail in the U.S. for $2.99.

Mackenzie's books—to be available through STL Distribution North America—aim to capture the essence of each Bible personality's character and his or her significance in the scope of God's work, without fictionalizing or adulterating the text. "I wrote these stories because our older children complained that Bible story books often did not tell the same story as the Bible," she said.

"How many stories of Jonah do you read where Jonah is smiling at the end?" she asked by way of example. "If we change Scripture to suit our storytelling, then we make the Bible just another fable."

Mackenzie wrote the first book, Gideon: Soldier of God, three decades ago in her kitchen in Inverness, Scotland. Since then, she has written more than 50 children's books, including the "Bibletime" series, of which all the previous titles are still in print.

Read more in the Nov. 10 issue of Christian Retailing.

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