A new biblical world where all the humans are animals

Did you know that the Bible often uses images of animals?

Jesus is called both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, Pharaoh is described as a crocodile, and Joseph as an ox with mighty horns. Even the names carry meaning: Caleb means dog, Deborah means bee, and Jonah means dove.

These symbols point to God’s wisdom and make the Bible vivid and accessible. In this children’s Bible, kids encounter the great stories through such images, in a way that stirs wonder, joy, and faith in both young and old.

And whether they have heard the Bible stories many times before, only a few times, or never, they will quickly be captivated by this unique way of engaging with God’s Word.

More information about the children’s Bible

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lion of Judah

Why do you portray people as animals in the children's Bible?

We do this primarily so that the children may meet Him who is the Lion of Judah – Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world. He whom we love, and whom we want our children to learn to love as well.

And we do this because the Bible itself uses powerful animal imagery to reveal who God is and who His servants are. Jesus is called both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God .

God is compared to an eagle, a lion, and a bear. Joseph is described as an ox with strong horns, and Pharaoh as a crocodile. These images don't mean they are animals, but they help us understand their characteristics and role in God's plan.

How are the animals selected?

The animal figures are not chosen arbitrarily, but assigned with great care and theological reflection. The correspondence between biblical figure and animal is deliberately chosen and has a biblical didactic advantage: It helps children intuitively understand the characters and their significance and connect them to everyday life.

The animals are chosen based on the language and symbolism of the Bible, the animals' characteristics, and the animals' geographical origin.

Who is behind the idea of a children's Bible with only animals?

This is primarily God's idea. The Bible is full of symbolism and animal imagery. God created the earth, the animals, and all that lives on it, and He himself often uses animal imagery to reveal who He is and who His servants are.

But the idea of bringing it out in a new way and making a children's Bible came from Haakon's favorite movie as a child: Walt Disney's Robin Hood , where all the characters are animals. Haakon was fascinated by how the personalities became clearer when they were portrayed as animals instead of people.

One day it struck him: Why hasn't anyone done this with the Bible?

Doesn't the Bible become more like a fairy tale when everyone is an animal?

The animal figures make the Bible accessible and safe for children in a natural way. They open the door to empathy, recognition, and curiosity in encountering God's word. When a lion symbolizes strength, or a sheep reminds us of gentleness and trust, the great biblical truths become vivid and easy for children to grasp – messages of faith, hope, love, and community.

The goal of all Bible teaching is to connect God's word to children's own lives. The animal figures aren't the only way to achieve this, but they are a powerful tool that helps children see themselves in the stories – and discover that the Bible also speaks directly to them.

But aren't we created in God's image?

We firmly believe that humankind is created in God's image, and that Jesus – the Son of God – came to earth as a human being. This is the very foundation of our faith.

At the same time, we see that the Bible itself often uses animal imagery and symbolism to reveal who God is and who His servants are. Jesus is called both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God .

God is compared to an eagle carrying his people, a lion protecting Judah, and even a bear protecting. Joseph is described as an ox with strong horns, and Pharaoh as a crocodile. Such images, of course, don't mean they are animals, but they help us understand characteristics and roles in God's plan.

In the same way, we use animal illustrations in the children's Bible as a storytelling device – a key that opens children's imagination and makes the big stories easier to grasp.

Adam and Eve are depicted as elephants, who, like them, take care of creation. Noah is a beaver, a master builder who saves lives. Abraham and Sarah are the urus and the wild cow – the ancestors of a large flock, God's people. Joseph as a hardy ox, Moses as a powerful hippopotamus, and Pharaoh as a cobra and crocodile create strong images that children intuitively understand.

This is not a replacement for the truth that we are created in God's image. It is a pedagogical tool that builds on biblical symbolism and helps children experience the Bible as living, understandable, and meaningful.

Research and children's books such as Paul Verrepts' G ud and Kathrin Wexberg's work also show that these kinds of images are invaluable tools when children are discovering theological content.

For those who want children's Bibles with human figures, there are many good alternatives. But this children's Bible offers children a new way to encounter God's word – a way that creates wonder, strengthens faith, and points to Jesus.

How has the market reacted to the release?

The first book was launched in the summer of 2024 and has already sold over 10,000 copies in Norway. It will be launched in Germany in the autumn of 2025, and we are currently in discussions about publications in the USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.

Reviews

Go to the book THE PROMISED LAND

  • "...a bold move - but it works! Haakon Lie has created a new and exciting children's Bible. Visually, this is the most vigorous book I have seen in years and days."

    Tor Åge Bringsværd,
    Author of the book series about Karsten and Petr

  • "...the combination of deep diving and courage, language and illustrations means that this has become a firework of a children's Bible."

    Føbe Elise Edvardsen,

    Children and family pastor
    The Pentecostal movement

  • "I have not come across a children's Bible that manages to convey the Bible's consistent red thread, symbolism and message in such a good, exciting and richly illustrated way..."

    Marus Østby,

    Pastor
    The Baptist Church

  • "The drawings are powerful, and it is a joy for the eyes to read through the book..."

    Astrid Fjeldly Lande,

    Children and youth pastor
    Frikirken (Lutheran church)

  • "Here there are many layers to absorb God's truths and his kingdom."

    Britt Solveig,

    Center manager
    Youth with a mission

  • "I think that everyone should buy the book because you learn about Jesus and God's word in a new and exciting way... The pictures are cool and then you become more interested in reading the Bible."

    Lincoln

    10 years

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Go to the book THE PROMISED LAND

Cooperation with the German Bible Society

They are the world's leading Bible society and are behind the publication of the Bible in Hebrew and Greek, among other things.

Questions and Answers with Michael Jahnke, Head of Publishing

What happened when you saw the Lion of Judah for the first time?

"I was immediately captivated when I first saw the unique illustrations. I had never seen anything like it before, and I couldn't stop looking at the illustrated pages."

What impresses you most about the Lion of Judah?

"I am impressed by how engaged the Norwegian illustrator Haakon Lie has been when gathering information to justify the choice of animal figures for the biblical characters.

Many years of painstaking work have laid the foundation for an innovative children's Bible that is unparalleled in the world."

Why did you at the German Bible Society decide to partner with Fennec?

"This unusual way of telling Bible stories reaches our children today. Not only those who already know the Bible stories, but also those children who would otherwise not have access to the important Bible stories."

What an opportunity!

Go to Lion of Judah in German

  • The children's Bible where all the characters are animals

    Based on the language and symbolism of the Bible, the characteristics of the animals and the geographical affiliation of the animals.
Read more about the children's Bible THE LION OF JUDAH

The LION OF JUDAH trilogy

Buy THE PROMISED LAND (part 1 of 3)

  • THE PROMISED LAND

    Part 1

    God creates the world, and everything is good. The serpent deceives the world into evil. God raises up a people and prepares His salvation.

  • THE LION TRIBE

    Part 2

    The tribe desires a king. David rises and wins great victories. But they cannot free themselves from the evil that clings to them.

  • THE LAMB OF GOD

    Part 3

    Everyone is waiting for their great hero and deliverer. They are expecting a mighty commander. Could it be a lion from Nazareth who will save them?

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Buy THE PROMISED LAND (part 1 of 3)

Author Haakon Lie

Haakon is a renowned and international writer who loves both God and all the animals God has created.

Haakon has published the book " What would the animals have as a job ?" at Cappelen Damm publishing house. This book is also published in China.

He has illustrated several children's books, such as the series " Ulvegutten Tal " by author Tor Åge Bringsværd.

Go to the book THE PROMISED LAND

Questions and Answers with Haakon

How do you choose the animals for the characters in the Bible stories?

First, I study the descriptions of the biblical characters – both their personalities and, where mentioned, their appearance. I also look at the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek names, and whether they have any connection to animals.

In several places in the Bible, people are directly compared to animals, which makes the choice easier. In addition, I take into account the geographical context. At the same time, I do not limit myself to only animal species that live or have lived in Israel – the symbolism is more important than the biology.

How has this trip been for you?

It has been, and still is, a journey of faith.

I turned down financial security to follow what I felt was God's guidance in my life. Sometimes I've wondered if I've ruined everything. Long night shifts with heavy thoughts, no light at the end of the tunnel. Yet the choice was simple. What else could I have done?

When I worked on other projects, the joy disappeared. But every time I raised my fingers towards the Lion of Judah, I felt the joy of creation and vitality flow back. That's why it was both the hardest and the easiest choice I've ever made.

Today I feel like a jungle boy on a journey, constantly gaining more companions. It's a deep joy to experience how friends from all over the world are joining, driven by the same vision. I truly look forward to what's next, and all that God has done and will do. For I am convinced that this project is much bigger than me. It is God's work.

What do you want to achieve with the Lion of Judah?

I want to inspire children with the great biblical stories about God, Jesus, and the people of the Bible. When I was a child, I was captivated by the stories of the Garden of Eden and Noah's Ark – they were full of life and animals. But later, I found that many of the other stories seemed like tales of old men in strange clothes, set in a dreary desert landscape.

I want the whole Bible to open up to children, and for all the stories to appeal to them. I want to highlight the main thread: God's salvation history with humanity, which culminates in Jesus Christ. The unusual storytelling style with animals makes this possible – it gives children strong images, simple entry points, and characters they can identify with. This makes the Bible both lively, entertaining, and believable for them.

Josef - From Idea to Finished Character

  • First version of Josef as an elephant

  • Joseph as leader of Egypt

  • Final version of Joseph as an ox

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Haakon: Initially, I planned to depict Joseph as an elephant. But I felt I had to draw him as an ox – it was as if God put this thought in my heart. At first it seemed strange, because an ox might seem like a simple and unspectacular animal compared to an elephant. But later I came across a Bible verse where Joseph and his descendants are specifically compared to oxen:

"His firstborn bull is magnificent; his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore all the peoples, even to the ends of the earth. These are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh." (Deuteronomy 33:17)

Moses - From Idea to Finished Character

  • First version of Moses as an ant.

  • Final version of Moses as a hippopotamus.

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Haakon: At first, I imagined Moses as an ant. But when I read in Ezekiel that God calls Pharaoh a crocodile, the image became clearer. Moses had to be an animal from the same world, but a worthy opponent. So he became a hippopotamus – powerful, unyielding, and a natural rival to the crocodile, just as Moses stood against Pharaoh's power in God's name.

Finished characters

  • Noah

    Noah built a large ship where a pair of every animal found refuge during the great flood (Genesis 6:19). In nature, we know the beaver as the master builder. It dams rivers, creates ponds, and builds its lodges in the middle of the water. A beaver family can fell up to 300 trees during a winter. How much more must Noah and his sons have felled when they built the ark – one of history's greatest construction projects.

  • Joseph

    Joseph comes up with a wise plan to meet the impending famine. In the Bible, he is also described as an ox with mighty horns (Deuteronomy 33:16-17). He was known for his wisdom in agriculture, and like an ox, he was both strong and enduring. Throughout history, oxen have been faithful work animals, and the image fits Joseph well. He worked hard, and the Lord made everything he did succeed – therefore he achieved great success in Egypt.

  • Adam

    When God created Adam and Eve, he placed them in a great garden to cultivate and care for it (Genesis 2:15). In nature, elephants do something similar. When they eat fruit, they spread the seeds through their droppings, allowing new plants to grow. In this way, elephants help the forest to grow and thrive – just as Adam and Eve were called to care for God's creation.

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Meet several of the heroes and villains

  • Jesus

    Jesus is called the Lion of Judah.

    The lion is the king of beasts, and Jesus is the King of kings. In the children's Bible, you will see how all the stories lead up to Jesus, and we will see why Jesus is called a lion and a lamb .

  • Satan

    The devil is called both snake and dragon.

    A serpent is sly and cunning. That was Satan when he tricked humankind into doubting God's Word. He wants to kill and destroy all the good that God has created.

  • Ester

    The gazelle is Israel's national animal

    Israel is called Eretz Hatzvi. It means "Land of the Gazelle". In the Bible, the gazelle is known for its beauty, just as Esther was known for her beauty. She was brave and saved her people.

  • Peter

    Peter had a big mouth like a pelican.

    The pelican is a fishing bird that dives for fish. It feeds its young from its large beak. The pelican has been used as a symbol of the Christian church, which nourishes its children.

  • Samson

    The honey badger is the world's most courageous animal.

    Just like Samson, the honey badger attacks lions and loves honey. In addition, it kills venomous cobras, even though it's no bigger than a cat.

  • Mary Magdalene

    In Hebrew, the ostrich is called "the daughter of the desert".

    The ostrich has a mournful cry at night, and Mary wept deeply and sincerely when Jesus died. But she ran eagerly like an ostrich when she brought the news that Jesus had risen again.

  • Debora

    Debora means "honeybee" in Hebrew .

    The queen bee is the leader of her entire hive. In the same way, Deborah was a leader and a prophet for Israel. A bee's sting is painful. But the honey it makes is sweet, just like God's word.

  • Moses

    The hippopotamus is known for its powerful jaws.

    The hippopotamus is boisterous and dangerous, with nearly a meter-long fangs. A perfect image of Moses, who spoke out against Pharaoh – the crocodile as the Bible calls him.

  • Paulus

    Paulus is from the wolf clan.

    Jesus called his followers sheep, and the wolf was their enemy. Paul first persecuted Christians like a wolf, but later became like a shepherd dog guarding the flock.

  • Elia

    The Fennec fox is adapted to desert life in Israel.

    The fennec fox is the only predator in the Sahara that can survive for a long time without water. The prophet Elijah also experienced a long drought, but he listened to God all the time. With its large ears, the fennec fox hears everything – just as Elijah heard the voice of the Lord.

  • Joshua

    The spotted wolf is a dog species that is extremely loyal to its pack.

    Joshua was faithful to God's promises and he led the flock into the promised land. The spotted cobs are not very strong. But they are among the animal kingdom's best hunters because they work so well together.

  • Samuel

    The Berber sheep has large, powerful horns.

    Samuel's mother, Hanna, could not really have children. But she prayed a lot, and finally had a child. Then she thanked God and said: "High is my horn". Horn means power and strength in the Bible.

  • Filip

    The rock hyrax is Israel's largest rodent.

    Philip told his friend that he had found the Messiah, the one they had been searching for in God's word. But actually, it was Jesus who had found them.

  • Nathanael Bartholomew

    Both the badger and the cave porcupine are burrowing animals.

    They are landscape engineers. And they change the landscape around them. Those who follow Jesus will also help to change the world around them, so that God's kingdom can be built.

  • Andreas

    The cormorant is a fishing bird.

    And a close relative of the pelican. The cormorant has been an image of Christ. After diving, it stands on land to dry its wings. When it spreads its wings, it resembles a cross.

  • Thomas

    The doubting Thomas was willing to die with his savior.

    Eskies are cautious animals. When they sense danger, they stand still until they learn to trust their owner. Jesus was similarly patient with his disciples, despite all their doubt and fear. Thomas learned to trust him – and even followed Jesus to dangerous places.

  • Matthew

    Like Matthew, hyenas are very disliked animals.

    Matthew was a tax collector, known for greed and injustice. Therefore, he was hated and ostracized by his own people. But the Lion of Judah, Jesus, didn't see him as a hyena or a traitor – he saw his heart and called him to follow him.

  • Joseph

    Horns of the wild ox.

    In the Bible, Joseph is called a bull with powerful horns. He was skilled in everything he did and was known for his wisdom in agriculture. And strangely enough, Egypt has a bull god for agriculture and fertility.

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Why Create a Children's Bible Where All the Characters Are Animals?

See Haakon's reaction the first time he sees the children's Bible.

We have a Norwegian children's song out here

  • Verse 1

    There is a place more incredible
    than the best adventures
    A place where a flame burns
    that sets the heart on fire

    Hidden in a living book
    where time stands still
    A match is played
    between hate and the kind

  • Chorus

    Hey hey, I'm calling you
    Come now and join me
    Hey hey, I'm calling you
    Come now and travel with me
    To the place that we can find
    The life that we want

  • Verse 2

    Stories that are true
    So much more than magic
    Gives life to new dreams
    Where two can turn into ten
    Here in God's living Word
    Where hope will prevail
    Preparing a party
    And we can all celebrate

  • Bridge

    The lion is with me
    every step I take
    The lion helps you
    wherever you stand.