Monday, March 21st, 2011
Help! Books for Easter
When our children were small, we pulled out all their books that were related to Easter and put them in basket, which we put near our reading place in the living room. This meant that when we sat down to read together, the Easter books were easy to lay our hands on.
When I’m looking for Easter stories for children, these are important factors:
- A Bible story told without added details or characters
- Presentation of God as the central character
- Appropriate respect given to the Word of God
- None of the fairy tale additions that might be fun, but are not part of the real story
By now, many of the books we enjoyed are out of print and unavailable, so there’s not much use in my recommending them. I hope to do some bookstore searching and let you know what I find.
But let’s take advantage of our community here. Many of you know lots more than I do about what’s good out there now. Please comment here with the books you use with the children in your life to help them understand 
the crucifixion and resurrection, both the facts and what God was doing. Also, please tell us the appropriate age range.
In return, I’ll choose randomly one of the commenters to receive a copy of The Christian Focus Story Bible by Carine Mackenzie. (I should let you know up front that although the book is new, the lower corner of the back cover is a bit torn.)
I welcome your recommendations any time, but to be eligible for the book drawing, please respond no later than midnight CST, this Thursday, 3/24.
46 Responses to “Help! Books for Easter”
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My girls are always very moved by the crucifixion and resurrection stories in the Jesus Storybook Bible (ages 3-8.)
I’m a children’s librarian and I love The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walberg from ZonderKidz. This is a sweet story of siblings and the meaning behind what I always thought of as the secular tradition of Easter Eggs. In Christianese I guess we’d call the Resurrection Eggs.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. She’s Martin Lloyd-Jones daughter I think? It is an amazing kids storybook. I’d about use it for myself! I cry almost every story I read from it and always buy it as a gift for my children’s friends
Good name and good book, but not Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ daughter. Thanks for the suggestion.
The Lamb–by John Cross
We have the Jesus Storybook Bible too. I also got the Easter download from Scripture Adventures. It has many activities to help children understand Easter. It also has fun recipes too!
A few others (had to go look through my pile):
He is Alive–Helen Haidle
The Easter Story–Carol Heyer
The Story of Jesus–Patricia Pingry (board book)
The Story of Easter–Patricia Pingry (board book)
Read Aloud Bible Stories–Ella Lindvall (Volume 2 has “The Sad and Happy Day”–the Easter story)
Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers (The Gospel)–Joey Allen
What God Has Always Wanted–Charles F. Boyd
Looking forward to hearing some ideas from others… thanks!
“The Very First Easter,” by Paul L. Maier. Written to be historically accurate, set inside the modern-day story of an eight yr old boy hearing it from his mom/dad. Awesome illustrations! Too long for one sitting for toddlers though.
We split it up for our toddlers, so while it could be appropriate for younger children, probably more like 6-10.
Also…”The Very First Christmas,” same author, same idea!
This isn’t exactly a bible story book, but Passion Hymns for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada is enjoyed around here at Easter time.
So glad you thought to include a musical suggestion.
We also use the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. It does add some extra details but it does a great job of talking about God’s plan of redemption from the beginning. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm also is great about talking about the Promised Forever King starting in OT.
I’m guessing someone else will mention this as well, but for little ones Ella Lindvall’s Read Aloud Bible Stories (vol2) is great. I’m anxious to look back and see all the other suggestions. Thanks. :)
My husband is reading Passion Hymns for a Kid’s Heart for with our children. We love the devotionals and my kids look forward to listening singing the hymn to go with the devotional at the end. Also includes a prayer and memory verse with each devotional.
The Lamb, by John R Cross. It came too late to use with my older children but I will definitely give it to my grandchildren!
http://www.goodseed.com/products/lamb-eng-book/
our preschool mainstays are:
-The Very First Easter by Paul Maier
-The Lamb–by John Cross
-we love the resurrection egss (not a book, but the egg symbols help prompt our kids to tell the story themselves)
-we have a resurrection coloring book as well
for (young) School Age we’ve added:
-God’s Mighty Acts in Salvation, Starr Meade and her Mighty Acts of God Family Storybook Bible
-Discovering Jesus in Exodus, Susan Hunt (to study the Passover)
-one more i like (but doesn’t fit your qualification of no storyline outside of Bible) is RC Sproul The Prince’s Poison Cup
Thanks for listing that last one. We were just talking about it today.
I wasn’t clear. I want a Bible story to be true to the Bible and not add characters. BUT a modern parable that reveals gospel truth is good.
Thanks everyone! I’ve got some great books on hold at the library now!
We read the Jesus storybook bible…and have the resurrection eggs. I am so glad for this info….been looking for other resources to keep on hand. I have a very very busy 3 yr old girl…whom I can barely get still for a short story. Last year she was able to tell people the story of Easter…I think bc we did those resurrection eggs. Love having this input from wiser mommas!
We love the Jesus Storybook Bible! We also do a Jesus “egg” hunt. We hide different items and as the kids find them, we direct them through the Easter account with Scripture.
We always enjoyed Ella K. Lindvall’s Bible Stories. There are several volumes – Volume 2 has “A Sad Day and a Happy Day” – which is the crucifixion and resurrection. These are written for really young kids.
No suggestions, but lots of new books thanks to this very helpful post. Thanks, Noel!
The Jesus Storybook Bible is great. My four year old asks to read it frequently!!
My children had some of these inexpensive Arch Books published by Concordia publishing when they were younger and we found them Biblical and helpful. They are geared toward children ages 5-9 years of age:
http://www.cph.org/searchnew.aspx?SearchTerm=Arch+Easter&SearchTerm_Vldt=++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++%5Breq%5D%5Blen%3D3%5D%5Bblankalert%3DPlease+enter+something+to+search+for%21%5D++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chapter Books for the Older set :)
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
It is a beautiful way to feel and understand the events around the Crucifixion in a new way. It can be an independent read for around ages 10 and up, and I mean all the way up to 100! Little ones would enjoy it as a read aloud leading towards Easter.
*Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace (the book) also set in the time period, a little heavier, but also good. Go forth and READ and Rejoice!
I love the Jesus Storybook Bible. It tells the Easter story beautifully.
This may sound a bit crazy, but just reading the accounts in the Gospels straight from the Bible has been what we’ve done – even with the little people.
We have enjoyed other books by Carine Mackenzie – I did not know she wrote a Bible story book.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Story-Easter-Tim-Dowley/dp/0802417671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300868238&sr=8-1
“My First Story of Easter” by Tim Dowley is my favourite first Easter book for little ones from the palm branch praises to his ascension. It doesn’t give too much information but then again it gives plenty of interesting information for a very little one who is hearing the story afresh after a while and has forgotten much or for a brand new listener. (It is easy enough to add more to the story as you go along if you have a big kid listening in.) The pictures are sensitive to a little one’s viewing and there is not an overly gruesome portrayal of death, no blood. (I like that for my tiny ones, the full impact of Jesus horrible death can come later)
It explains terms like disciples being Jesus friends as you go along in a natural way as part of the story. My three year old keeps asking why they put prickles (thorns) or bindies (Australian thorns) on Jesus head, being very worried that Jesus head was made to bleed and be sore. He cannot understand why they hurt Jesus whom we love. The bigger children were asking why they praised Jesus and so soon turned against Him, calling for his death.
It has sparked a new interest in this timeless true story and it is refreshing to see it through the eyes of a child again. Certainly a beautiful way to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love again!
See http://www.amazon.com/First-Story-Easter-Tim-Dowley/dp/0802417671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300868238&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PYQMUQ?ie=UTF8&tag=chilsbookandr-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002PYQMUQ
Easter by Jan Pienkowski. We do love the illustrations for this book as well! We have always enjoyed this illustrated Bible over the years and somehow the old English of the KJ makes all the more beautiful. A family classic to treasure, although hard to find these days!
Easter Bunny – Are You For Real? by Harold Myra is an annual Easter read in our home. We also read, as a previous commenter mentioned, straight from the gospels in the Bible as we make our Resurrection Rolls :)
We just got the Jesus Storybook Bible as a gift and it is beautiful.
We have been reading the Beginners Bible (ages 2-3?)
On the opposite side, I can’t really recommend the Baby Bible Story Book by Chariot Publishers. It’s geared towards ages 0-3, but it leaves out serious details. (like the crucifixion =Jesus had to go away)
I heard a Spurgeon quote that reminds me of many children’s Bibles.
“To tell about Jesus without the cross is to betray him with a kiss.”
[...] March 23rd, 2011Easter–books for our youngest onesThank you so much for your children’s book suggestions for Easter. Keep them coming. If you comment, you’ll have a chance to win a book.Here are [...]
Thank you Noel for the post and thank you to everyone for all the recommendations!!! We have a five month old and we very much want to build his library with good books. This is so helpful!
I always appreciated the straightforward, kid-friendly Day by Day Kid’s Bible and the Day by Day Begin-to-Read Bible, both by Karyn Henley.
I just bought The Story of Easter board book by Juliet David for our little one due the week before Easter. I liked that it starts with Palm Sunday and goes into good detail.
My husband and I love reading the Jesus Storybook Bible to our daughter who is almost 4. We have been reading it with her for almost a year now. She asks to read from it every day, and I will use it for most of our Easter preparation as I cannot find quality Easter books like I was able to do for Christmas. My daughter was also very moved by the Resurrection Eggs last year. Months later, while passing Quantico and talking about soldiers, she asked why the Roman soldiers gave Jesus boo-boos. She understands Christ’s sacrifice at an age-appropriate and not watered down level thanks to those two great resources.
The Parable of the Lily is a lovely book, I highly recommend it!
Amon’s Adventure – new book by the author of the series of books on Advent: Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage and Tabitha’s Travels (our favorite read alouds) – very Biblically, historically correct. But only appropriate for ages about 7 and up or somewhere in there, because the main characters are usually 10 or 11 or so, and some events get pretty intense, it is not for little children, but some of the best biblical fiction (and truth :) you will ever encounter – http://www.christianbook.com/amons-adventure-arnold-ytreeide/9780825441714/pd/441712?item_code=WW&netp_id=828175&event=ESRCN&view=details
We really like the Big Picture Bible by David Helm! We like the Jesus Storybook Bible, but we started reading the Big Story Bible a few months ago, and it’s even better for younger kids (ours are 3 & 4 1/2). Our 4 1/2 year old listened to the first 100 pages being read in one sitting. Great pictures, and it clearly shows the “big story” about Jesus in the OT and NT.
No kids yet, but appreciate this suggestions for the future. Thanks!
Noel you are amazing! As are your readers . I wish I would’ve had this kind of input and resources when our kids were young. I’m going to look for some of the books and have them to use with any future grandchildren and our little grandnieces and grandnephews. And for sure passing on your blog to parents of said little ones!!
I Believe in Jesus: Leading Your Child to Christ by John MacArthur.
It’s not a story book per se but it’s the complete story of redemption from beginning to end.
I am so glad to have found this post! I will be looking for these books in our church’s library this weekend and am so excited to read them with my 2.5 year old. :-)
I’m so excited about the listing of books here in the comments. We love the Jesus Storybook Bible and the Big Picture Bible. Last year for Easter, we did the book Benjamin’s Box by Melody Carlson and I found pictures for the objects for them to color each day as we got closer to Easter. I’m looking forward to exploring these options to see if I like them better.
I don’t know if someone already mentioned this one, but when our children were very small (2-4 years), we read My Easter Basket (board book in the shape of an Easter basket) by Mary Manz Simon. It’s a poem that tells the story of Easter using the colors of an Easter basket. As our children got a few years older we used The One Year Children’s Bible published by Tyndale Kids for daily devotions. I am looking for resources to use this year. Thank you! :)
Whilst I am a fan of The Jesus Storybook Bible, last Easter (when my daughter was 5) she and I read the Easter parts together and she was overcome with fright at Jesus’ death. I was not expecting it as I felt that the stories were done sensitively. As a result, she and I tried to talk things through, but for the next few months she did not want to talk about Jesus at all. With much prayer on my part she seems to have moved on and is happy to read with us again about Jesus.
Has anyone else had that experience?