Children’s Easter Books
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Christmas has certainly cornered the market on educational, spiritual, and meaningful resources for children. However, there are some great Children’s Easter Books.
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I have fond memories of how excited my kids would get about our Easter preparation, cracking me up with their enthusiasm. Easter can often get relegated to being “the serious holiday” on the church calendar or even ignored completely in some circles if it weren’t for the Easter bunny.
Early on, I realized the need to be intentional about our Easter celebrations, otherwise our kids would only know it as a day for a fun Easter Egg hunt.
Making an Empty Tomb Easter Cake was one way that we’ve kept the Story of Jesus front and center. Reading good Children’s Easter Books is another.
The Best Children’s Easter Books
the Bible – You don’t need a fancy picture book to teach your children about Easter. You don’t even need a children’s bible. From early on, I read my kids Scripture, as God wrote it. Yes, we read adaptations and picture books, too, but I think God’s message can transcend that. Be in the Word, and talk with your kids. My adult kids now thank me that this was a part of our daily lives together.
The Jesus Storybook Bible – We love this children’s adaptation of the Bible. The story is told in words that are easily understood and the author takes care to explain different concepts or meanings throughout. The whole premise of the book is that all of the Bible is about Jesus.
The Tale of Three Trees – We usually read this book at Christmas time, but it’s so appropriate for Easter, I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. This is a great story about three trees who wanted to be important and do great things. They are surprised how God uses them in seemingly unimportant, but mighty ways.
The Bronze Bow – It’s been years since I read this, though it’s on our school reading list for later this year. It is a poignant tale of a young and angry boy, Jamin, living in Roman-occupied Israel. Jesus transforms his life. I remember bawling my way through the end. This book won the Newbury Medal fifty years ago. (This book is for children 8 and older.)
Benjamin’s Box – I actually had a copy of this children’s easter book over twenty-five years ago, but I gave it away in a fit of over-reactionism. At the time I took exception to the fictionalization of the events of Holy Week. Today, I just laugh at myself. I think this story is a great child’s eye view of Holy Week and Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s based on true events, though some things are imagination based on what could have happened. After reading it as a family, my nine-year old told me how excited he was to open the Resurrection Eggs.
The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats – One of my favorite authors and songwriters, Andrew Peterson, crafted a beautiful “Christmas” album, Behold the Lamb of God, which tells the story of the Bible in light of Jesus. This song, The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats, is a fun rendition of Jesus’ family tree. The book comes with a sing along CD. And the song is pretty easy (and fun) to memorize.
The Legend of the Easter Egg – This book tells the story of Thomas and his sister Lucy and how the story behind the Easter Egg brings new meaning and hope to their lives.
The Donkey Who Carried a King – Written by pastor and theologian RC Sproul, this picture book tells the Easter story from the point of view of the donkey who brought Jesus into Jerusalem.
The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden – Jesus’ journey to the Cross was never a back up plan. It was the mission from the beginning, to bring God’s people back into right relationship with him. This book tells us how He did that.
The Chronicles of Narnia – Are the Narnia books specifically called “Easter books”? No, they aren’t, but they tell the story of Jesus. The original book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe does a fantastic job of communicating Jesus’ act of atonement for our sins.
Pilgrim’s Progress – Another classic allegory of what Christ does in each of his people, Pilgrim’s Progress is available in several adaptations suited for kids. The Dangerous Journey is a great option. We also like this version from Gary D. Schmidt.
More Great Ideas for Easter
What do you think?
I’d be honored if you chimed in the comments section. What do you think?
This post was originally published on March 30, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Wonderful post! More parents should incorporate the Biblical message of easter into their festivities.
I’m author to a religious Christian children’s book, “Ima Pea” that you may enjoy. I’d be happy to send you a copy if you’d like one!
Keep up the great work!
I LOVE this list, Jessica! While it is too late for me to order them in time for Easter this year, I am definitely ‘pinning’ them for next year:-) Thanks SO much for sharing!
The only one of these we have read if The Parable of the Lily. I met the author and had her sign it. She is an amazing Christian author.
We read three of the books you have listed, including the Jesus Storybook Bible, Three Trees, and Benjamin’s Box. I’ve just put a few more you listed in my Amazon shopping cart. Thanks for the suggestions. Do you think the Bronze Bow would be too hard or too emotional for a younger kid? My son is a very verbal 4.5 year old. We read elementary books all the time–I read them to him and he enjoys them.
I don’t know if it’s too emotional. Just might be boring. It’s written for an older child. You might like it for you, though.
I obviously was in a hurry or something because I missed that it was a long book and ordered it a week or so ago. It’s way too long and boring for my son, but I am starting a reading group with a friend, and I thought we might end up reading it for that. It looks like an interesting story. So, you’re right on both counts.
Much newer books would be the Bunny Books by Gabriel Bench. Ester Bunny is first, and we discover why she is the first Easter bunny (and about staying true to your beliefs). Evan Bunny is next. He’s Ester’s grandson, and learns the hard way the dangers of pride. Finally, is Ella Bunny who learns about the true joy that comes from knowing God loves her (and us all). The books get progressively more “Christian”. They’re not well known, but can be found on Amazon.
Peter’s First Easter by Walter Wangerin Jr. It is a beautiful, moving book. My favorite Easter read by far 🙂
My personal favorite, told from the perspective of the donkey carrying Jesus on Palm Sunday, is The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith.
Thanks for the recommendations.
I am not a religious person but do feel it is important for my kids to understand the reasons behind holidays like Christmas and Easter so that 1. they understand it’s not all about treats and presents and so that 2. they can be respectful of their friends who do believe.
While I have the story of Christmas down pretty well, Holy Week and Easter are a bit fuzzy (no bunny allusions intended :).
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes. It isn’t about Jesus, but it has a good message about equality, persistence, caring, and hard work.
The Tale of Three Trees is one of our all-time faves! Great book list!!!