An illustrated reference book released this month by Barbour Publishing hopes to introduce children to the amazing, funny, even "gross" side of the Scriptures.

Designed for children ages 8 to 12, Kids' Bible Facts (978-1-602-60476-6, $9.97) offers more than 800 entries on the people, places and ideas of God's Word.

Written by Ed Strauss, the book highlights what's weird and important in the Bible, featuring hundreds of fascinating facts and nearly a hundred pictures to inform and entertain young readers.

"Who's That?" biographies spotlight both the heroes and villains of Scripture—from Aaron to Delilah and Jonah to Zipporah. The "Peoples & Places" entries explain people groups like the Canaanites and Edomites as well as the nations of Bible times.

"And That Means..." definitions describe key Bible terms like atonement, covenant and great white throne.

"The Big Story" accounts describe lesser-known events of the Bible, including dead saints coming back to life when Jesus died on the cross. The "I Love Lists!" section features tidbits like "8 People Who Came Back from the Dead" and the "3 Fattest Men in the Bible."

The "Fun Facts" sidebar information includes nuggets like Herod Agrippa being eaten to death by worms as a result of his pride.

Strauss, whose previous children's books include Bible Freaks & Geeks (2007), Big Bad Bible Giants (2005) and Seriously Sick Bible Stuff (2007), all published by Zonderkidz, said he wanted to create a book featuring "gross, interesting details and humor, (which) will help draw young readers in and help the Bible facts to stick in their brains like burrs."

Strauss "did a great job of highlighting the fun stuff of Scripture, while also explaining some really important Bible truths," said Paul Muckley, senior editor for nonfiction at Barbour Publishing.

Every entry in the book is accompanied by a Bible reference, so children can follow up with their own study of Scripture.

Like a previous book in the series—Kids' Bible Dictionary by Jean Fischer—Kids' Bible Facts is a 160-page softcover volume.

For more information on Kids' Bible Facts, visit www.barbourbooks.com. To order, contact Barbour Publishing at 800-852-8010.