The graphic novel God with Us takes a unique approach to Bible stories, using Luke 24:27 as a framework.
God with Us: Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus by Matt Mikalatos, illustrated by David Shepherd. WaterBrook, 2025, 254 pages.
Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10
Recommended for: ages 8-14
Four travelers are making their way home from Jerusalem after Passover: Cleopas and his wife Miriam, along with their grandchildren Moshe and Rachel. Passover is a joyous occasion, but the older couple are greatly disturbed and fearful. A stranger they meet on the road on the road asks what’s the problem? He seems to be the only one who doesn’t know what happened over the weekend: That Jesus of Nazareth, whom his followers hoped would restore glory to Israel, was horribly executed and buried in a rich man’s tomb. Now unbelievable tales are circulating about him, and who knows what to believe anymore?
The Bible tells us what happens next: “Beginning with Moses and the prophets, He expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” God with Us imagines how that exposition might have proceeded, with cheeky responses from Moishe and more temperate ones from the elders. Along the way the party encounters a Persian, a Pharisee, and a Roman, all of whom have different perspective on recent events. (And older ones: the Persian’s account of the ancient flood is an interesting contrast.) The Old Testament stories told by the stranger are not in chronological order, so some knowledge of the Bible narrative is helpful in understanding what the author is trying to accomplish.
It’s a fresh approach, valuable for understanding how Moses and the prophets predicted Messiah’s suffering and death, even in veiled terms that couldn’t be understood until after all was accomplished. That’s the beauty of the Emmaus story: how those two travelers only recognized Jesus only after he had interpreted the scriptures for them. Some of that wonder is lost by a graphic version, in which the Lord looks just the same while on the road and in the stories as he does in breaking bread. It may be impossible to adequately visualize that sudden recognition, and the addition of two kids and a grandma may be unnecessary alteration. But God with Us is a relatable and interesting way to show the 2000 years of groundwork from the Fall to the great redemption.
Consideration: Depictions of Adam and Eve, pre-fall, are tasteful but show a little more nudity than is common most Bible storybooks. We suggest you click through sample pages on Amazon.
Bottom Line: A unique and engaging supplement to standard Bible storybooks.
Also at Redeemed Reader
- Review: The Book of God (starred review), a graphic nonfiction from Kingstone Press, is a comprehensive account of how we got the Bible.
Order God with Us from Amazon
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!
Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.