Whether you’re looking for a book to show your children the true meaning of Easter or you want a silly story to tuck in their Easter baskets, we’ve got you covered. Here are some titles your kids are sure to love!
You can download this book list in printable form here!
Board Books
Holy Week by Danielle Hitchen
This colorful board book from the Baby Believer series follows Jesus through the week leading up to his resurrection. Each spread explores one of the emotions that marked Jesus’ final days from the excitement of the triumphal procession to the thankfulness of the Last Supper to the sadness of the crucifixion. With text taken right from the Scriptures and warm, engaging illustrations, this is a great introduction to Easter for your little ones.
Easter Is Coming! by Tama Fortner
I love how this book takes children all the way from creation to the present day, reminding us that from the beginning God had a plan, building anticipation for a holiday that is so much more than bunnies and baskets. With bright, engaging illustrations and tender storytelling, this is the kind of book you’ll want to read over and over again.
Make Space for Jesus: Learning About Lent and Easter by Laura Alary
This book invites children to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by setting Lent apart as a special time to connect with God by making space for worship, giving, loving, and sharing the good news with those around us. Told in simple terms that young children can readily relate to, this book is a gentle introduction to the significance of the Easter season.
Good News! It’s Easter! by Glenys Nellist
In this playful, rhyming story, you’ll follow Bunny and the other woodland creatures as they marvel at the goodness of spring and its new life. The story culminates with the best news of all, the news that Jesus shares as he emerges from the tomb, telling the world, “I was dead, but now I’m back to live and love and save!”
Great and Small Easter by Pamela Kennedy
Your babies and toddlers will love this adorable, lift-the-flap board book as you dance, sing, jump in puddles and play hide-and-seek with the animal friends who are celebrating the new life that comes when God makes all things new.
Humphrey’s First Palm Sunday by Carol Heyer
Fans of Humphrey’s First Christmas will love this humorous, heartfelt introduction to the events of Palm Sunday. The mischievous camel again finds himself at the center of historical events as he schemes to move to the front of the caravan bound for Jerusalem. When he arrives, Humphrey is greeted by crowds shouting “Hosanna!” and waving palm branches. Imagine his surprise when he recognizes a man riding past on a donkey with a familiar blanket! Humphrey’s heart is filled with delight to see the child in the manger become the King he was meant to be.
Jesus Rose for Me: The True Story of Easter by Jared Kennedy
This sturdy board book communicates the significance of the Easter story in a way that kids can readily understand. With Scripture verses to look up and questions to reflect on culminating in a clear articulation of the gospel and an invitation to consider if you have ever asked Jesus to forgive your sins, this book is perfect to read to a wide variety of ages.
Picture Books
God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren
In this heart-warming book, a curious little polar bear has lots of questions about Easter. Her tender Papa Bear patiently answers each one and teaches her all about the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross by Carl Laferton
This book takes children on a journey from the garden of Eden to God’s prefect new creation. Children will discover that ‘because of our sin, we can’t go in’ but because of Jesus’ victory on the cross, an even better garden awaits us.
That Grand Easter Day! by Jill Roman Lord
If you’re looking for a book that captures the miracle of the first Easter morning, this is the one for you. With a memorable rhyming text and magnificent purple and gold illustrations, the story builds toward the climactic moment when the stone is rolled away.
The Backward Easter Egg Hunt by Meadow Rue Merrill
Every year six-year-old Molly looks forward to the annual Easter egg hunt at Lantern Hill Farm, but this year something is different. Instead of eggs hunting for eggs filled with treats, the children are given empty eggs and sent on a scavenger hunt around the farm to fill their eggs with items that remind them of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Hayward
I have fond memories of reading this 1939 classic over and over again as a child. Maybe you do too? It tells the story of mother bunny Cottontail who has all but abandoned her dream of becoming an Easter Bunny as she cares for her 21 children. But when Grandfather Bunny spies her perfectly behaved brood, he’s so impressed that he makes Cottontail the most important Easter Bunny of all! Whether or not you incorporate the Easter bunny in your Easter festivities, you might still enjoy this book that celebrates humility, hard work, and patient ambition.
The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
This traditional folktale tells the story of Easter from the point of view of three trees on a mountain dreaming of how they might one day be used. Your children’s hearts will be touched as they understand in a deeper way the significance of Christ’s death on the cross.
Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Every year Babushka makes beautiful hand-painted eggs for the annual Easter Festival, but this year she takes in a wounded goose who accidentally breaks all her eggs. But the next morning Babushka discovers the goose has a miraculous gift.
The Donkey Who Carried a King by R. C. Sproul
This adorable book tells the story of Palm Sunday from the point of view of Davey, a young donkey tasked with carrying King Jesus into Jerusalem. Packing deep theology into a simple story, you and your children will be awed in fresh ways by Christ’s humility and obedience in laying down his life as a servant.
The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs
When Maggie, the farmer’s daughter, receives a mysterious gift, she’s disappointed to find it’s only some dirt and a lifeless bulb. But after tossing it out, she discovers that what was dead has come to life as a beautiful Easter lily! This story of love, giving, and forgiving has been treasured by families for years.
The King of Easter: Jesus Searches for All God’s Children by Todd R. Hains
Jesus comes to seek and save the lost, from his mother, Mary, at his birth, to the thief on the cross beside him, to Mary Magdalene, who searched for him at the empty tomb, and Saul, who killed Jesus’s friends. And The King of Easter is still seeking and saving the lost today. This book is beautiful message of hope and love for all God’s children.
Easter Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist
This beautifully illustrated Bible storybook guides children and families through Holy Week with seven stories from Scripture. At the end of each one, your child will find their very own letter from God with a special verse they can hold onto as a promise of God’s love for them.
Goodbye to Goodbyes: A True Story About Jesus, Lazarus, and an Empty Tomb by Lauren Chandler
This retelling of the story of Lazarus is perfect for Eastertime or for reading to any child who has had to say goodbye to a loved one. In a warm, comforting way, Goodbye to Goodbyes reminds us that because of Jesus, there is a day coming when we will say goodbye to goodbyes forever.
Family Devotionals
Benjamin’s Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson
When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, young Benjamin decides to follow him and find out who this man really is. Along the way Benjamin discovers the Good News about the Christ. With warm illustrations and endearing characters, there is a reason this book has sold over 200,000 copies. Perfect for reading along with your Resurrection Eggs!
Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter by Arnold Ytreeide
When his father is accused of a terrible crime, thirteen-year-old Amon rushes to help. As he tries to help his father, Amon finds himself swept up in the crowds on Palm Sunday, witnessing Judas’s betrayal, and standing by as Jesus is crucified. With Lenten reflection questions at the end of each chapter, this book is an excellent resource for family devotions.
Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss
If you loved the Advent devotional, All Creation Waits, or the beautiful picture book version from Gayle Boss, you’re sure to enjoy this Lenten version. Each chapter focuses on a different animal friend and how human choices are causing these creatures to vanish from the globe at a rapid rate. The promise of Lent is that from all this death and ruin, something new can rise. In fact, this wild hope is already loose in the world.
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