Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew, Volume 1

Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew: Volume I and Volume II feature sixteen beautifully illustrated stories that grow incrementally in length and complexity. The first story starts at an early beginning level, and soon the reader is swept along by a powerful current toward fluency. Links to 144 different Hebrew videos provide further audio and visual input that helps learners internalize the language of Biblical Hebrew. Also, links to translation and grammatical notes provide any needed assurance for full comprehension.

“This graded and illustrated reader is an amazing pedagogical tool. I have encouraged and used a visual graded approach for two decades and have seen students’ comprehension of Biblical Hebrew increase significantly (not to mention their enjoyment of the learning process!). This new tool from the Scheumanns is carefully crafted, both with attention to the theory of language acquisition and with careful background research justifying the Hebrew grammar of the exercises. The illustrations are colorful, elegant, and engaging without being distracting. It’s simply a beautiful teaching tool that I look forward to using with students, either as useful mini-diversions from my own textbook or as preparatory exercises coming out of a long semester or summer break.”
—Robert D. Holmstedt, Professor of Hebrew Bible and West Semitic Languages, University of Toronto

“We all know that students learn through a variety of ways, and yet often we neglect this need. The Scheumanns have thoughtfully integrated visual, audio, and performative modes of learning to make sure every student can succeed. They have given us Hebrew teachers a wonderful resource that makes our job easier!”
—Kevin Chau, Senior Lecturer: Hebrew, University of the Free State, South Africa

“Jesse and Merissa Scheumann have provided students of Biblical Hebrew with a great tool for building reading fluency incrementally without dependance on their native tongue. Not only is each story supplemented with audio-visual material online, but each story is also broken down into three nested versions. This embedded approach allows the reader to return to the story multiple times, strengthening what has already been read and enabling the incremental acquisition of new material.”
—Jacques E. J. Boulet, Professor, Faculté de Théologie Évangélique, Montréal

“The Scheumanns’ Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew is well-conceived to introduce vocabulary and grammar with strong, clear images. Students will love engaging with biblical stories, and instructors will love the pedagogical sophistication. This reader practically teaches itself, especially when using the online resources that supplement it.”
—Alex Kirk, Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Beeson Divinity School

“We have long needed simple, engaging reading materials for Biblical Hebrew. Too often, students are asked to read from texts that expect expertise beyond their abilities. At its best, this approach stunts growth. At its worst, it kills it. Scheumanns’ Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew is a ripe answer to this dearth of materials. Whether you are a new Biblical Hebrew student, or just want to wipe away the cobwebs from years of inactivity, this set deserves to have a place on your shelf.”
—Tyler Foster, Lecturer in Biblical Languages, New Saint Andrews College

“The Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew is a truly innovative and unique approach to teaching students the vocabulary and grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Through graded, illustrated stories with accompanying videos, students from the middle of their first semester of Hebrew can enjoy and engage with Hebrew narratives that gradually increase in difficulty.”
—Jacobus A. Naudé and Cynthia L. Miller-Naudé, Senior Professors, Department of Hebrew, University of the Free State, South Africa