The Adventure Bible, published by Zonderkidz, has surpassed 10 million units sold since first appearing 31 years ago.

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Created in 1989 by Dr. Larry Richards, the Adventure Bible is the bestselling children’s Bible in America. Teaching materials ancillary to the biblical text are written at a 3rd grade reading level for developing readers, so children can share and understand God’s Word. The Bible’s colorful features and notes clarify the stories and concepts of Scripture and help them be understood as relevant to the lives of children.

[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, The Enduring Popularity of the Adventure Bible: An Interview With Sue Richards]

“Zondervan has worked hard to make this special Bible friendly for young readers. The quality and trustworthiness of the features are of the highest standard, scholarship and creativity,” said Sue Richards, widow of Adventure Bible creator, Dr. Larry Richards. “Each volume is so colorful and attractive. Kids are excited to dig in and learn that the Bible is fascinating and speaks to all people whatever their age!”

Adventure Bible milestones:

• June 1989 – The Adventure Bible (website) releases for the first time in full New International Version (NIV) text.
• August 1994 – The Adventure Bible is updated to the New Adventure Bible.
• July 2000 – The New Adventure Bible receives an update and is published with the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) Bible translation.
• July 2008 – The New Adventure Biblee is updated to its current edition.
• February 2010 – It is released in Spanish for the first time.
• July 2014 – It is released in the New King James Version (NKJV) translation.
• September 2018 – The first Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition is released.
• May 2020 – The Adventure Bible will release for the first time in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

“As the current stewards of this important brand, we love to see kids get excited about reading their Bible, regularly creating a lifelong love for God’s Word,” says Kevin Traub, senior marketing director, Zondervan. “One of my favorite aspects of this is hearing from current ministry leaders who read the Adventure Bible as a child and now use it in their ministry to teach the next generation.”

The Adventure Bible brand was expanded in 2013 and now includes Bibles, devotionals, Bible stories, I Can Read (early reader books) and apps. It is recommended more than any other Bible for kids by Christian schools, churches, and families.

“Our core commitment is to offer beautiful Bibles, in multiple translations, for all ages and stages. We are thrilled to fulfill that vision by publishing the Adventure Bible in multiple translations (NIV, NIrV, NKJV, with the NRSV arriving soon and an additional translation offering to be announced soon),” said Melinda Bouma, vice president and publisher of Zondervan Bibles. “With our ability to expand the Adventure Bible audience to more families by providing it in their translation of choice, we celebrate the ten million lives changed and eagerly anticipate millions more young lives impacted for years to come.”

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