Inside: Find incredible, faith-focused Easter books for kids that celebrate Jesus! Including a good children’s book in an Easter basket or as a gift brings joy in the moment and plenty of opportunities for future growth and family togetherness as you read the book all year long. Check out this list of Easter books designed to make your Easter gift-giving a whole lot easier.
With the egg hunts, bunnies, baskets, plus all the feasts and frocks, it’s easy to lose sight of the miraculous message of Jesus’s resurrection at Easter. But these beautiful children’s books help keep the meaning of Easter front and center.
The books are arranged by the age of the reader, and each children’s Easter book on the list focuses on the life of Jesus. Of course, none of these books is designed to be a self-contained presentation of the message of Easter, but each one can be a beautiful way to deepen and refresh our understanding of the good news.
For more great Christian children’s books, check out our Christian Children’s Book Gift Guide.
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Easter Books for BABY TO PRESCHOOL
Happy Easter, Risen King!
by Laura Sassi and Gabi Murphy
I love when children’s books have layers of meaning and discovery. In the board book, Happy Easter, Risen King!, little ones are engaged in the beautiful story of Easter with lovely pictures, rhythm, and rhyme. Plus, children can point to and name the wonderful colors God made as they are highlighted throughout. Such a vibrant way to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection!
Holy Week, An Emotions Primer
by Danielle Hitchen and Jessica Blanchard
I’m 100% sure I could gush about this kids’ book for Holy Week much longer than it would take you to read it. That’s because Holy Week, An Emotions Primer is so simple, but so powerful, beautiful, compelling, helpful, innovative, biblical–pick a feature! This board book leads families through the events of Holy Week, while helping children name feelings–an important part of emotional health.
Each two-spread has an emotion word–excited, angry, loved, frustrated, joyful, etc.–and a few sentences of scripture that share the story. This Easter book for kids covers everything from the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to Jesus appearing to His followers after His resurrection. Check out the entire series of Baby Believer board books to help kids discover more about God while they learn counting, opposites, animals, movement, anatomy (yes, anatomy), and more.
R Is for Risen: An ABC Easter Book
by Crystal Bowman, Teri McKinley, and Jacqueline L. Nuñez
What a special journey through the alphabet! Kids encounter the events of Holy Week with beautiful rhymes and gentle illustrations. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the miracle of the resurrection with little ones!
Snuggle Time Easter Stories
by Glenys Nellist and Cee Biscoe
For parents who want to introduce very young children to the Easter story from the Bible, this padded board book does that beautifully. Each spread uses rhyming verses to tell part of the story. The retelling is kid-sensitive while still authentically conveying the emotions of each moment.
Two great features in this children’s Easter book are the introduction and the conclusion. The introduction prepares kids with a synopsis of the story and the assurance of a happy, hopeful ending. The conclusion really brings home the truth that this isn’t just a story: Jesus’ love is with us now!
Learn more about this lovely book and more of Glenys’s Christian children’s books by watching our author interview on Instagram.
Say and Pray Easter Sticker and Activity Book
by Diane Stortz and Sarah Ward
Little ones will love learning all about Easter as they stick stickers, connect the dots, and much more in this fun Easter activity book! Say & Pray Easter takes kids through Palm Sunday, Jesus’ miracles and teaching, Jesus’ arrest, the Last Supper, Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Ascension, and Jesus’ presence in our everyday lives. The fun activities allow kids to pause and digest each story, and scripture references are included for caregivers to go deeper. This book is an engaging, faith-building addition to the Say & Pray series.
Bunny Finds Easter
by Laura Sassi and Ela Jarzabek
In this bright, cheerful Easter book for kids, Bunny participates in many typical Easter traditions, but she still wonders, “What is Easter?” Children will sense Bunny’s excitement when she realizes Easter is all about Jesus!
The vibrant illustrations and bouncy rhyming text invite young children into Bunny’s search for Easter. The clues along the way give parents and kids lots to talk about as they discover the wonderful true meaning of this joyful holiday.
Want to go behind the scenes AND learn fun ways to use this book? Check out our author interview with Laura Sassi.
The Quiet Crazy Easter Day
by Jill Roman Lord and Kelly Breemer
I love books that take a familiar topic and bring a fresh perspective by zooming in on one aspect, in this case, the sounds of animals and people all celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.
This rhyming, padded board book goes on to tell about why we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and how he loves and cares for us today. It is a fun, meaningful children’s Easter book families can revisit year after year.
Empty: Celebrating the Risen Savior
Find it: Amazon
Just like the best picture books do, Empty hooks you with an interesting concept and kidcentric humor. It shows just how awful it is when certain things are empty, like a piggy bank or a cookie jar. The tragedy! But some things are best when empty, like a homework folder or a laundry basket. Time to play! But the very best thing that has ever been empty is Jesus’s tomb. He is risen!
Kids will want to read this fun, faith-filled Easter book again and again, and as they do, they’ll learn of the hope we have in Jesus.
The Dance of Easter
by Sally Cressman and Angela Edmonds
Find it: Amazon
Just imagine all the joy that filled the earth when Jesus rose up out of the grave! This playful way to celebrate Easter shows animals dancing throughout the flowers and fields. My favorite part is the spread showing the sloths that are a little behind the beat though “none seemed to mind.”
The excellent rhymes in this children’s Easter book create a lively song and every few pages is punctuated with an exclamation that Jesus is alive. The sealed tomb is handled very gently at the beginning of the book, and at the end, kids are encouraged to praise the Lord and share the good news with others. Plenty of places for family conversation as well.
Easter in the Barnyard
by Dandi Daley Mackall and Gail Yerrill
In this rhyming story, kids will love watching the animals get ready for the Easter parade where they praise God and celebrate!
Let’s Go! Bible Adventures
by Valerie Ellis and Carolina Farias
This 40-story Bible storybook is perfect for transportation-loving toddlers and preschoolers. It’s not only great to read all year long but also features several stories families love to share during Holy Week and Easter: the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, washing the disciples feet at the Last Supper, Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion that we remember on Good Friday, Jesus’s resurrection that we celebrate with such joy on Easter, and the amazing way Jesus ascended into heaven. And if you’re wondering how modern cars and trucks work with the true stories of the Bible, find out more here.
Easter Books for ELEMENTARY
The Very Best Story Ever Told: The Gospel with American Sign Language
by Robin Currie and David Kurtz Williams
This Christian book tells about Jesus’ life in clear, kid-friendly language. At each page turn, families can learn one sign from American Sign Language that goes with the story, so that by the end, children can retell the story with simple sentences and signs.
I love that, in addition to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the stories include the sending of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, and how we are part of this life-changing story today. This multi-sensory approach can become is such a memorable way to share the gospel together.
Jesus Calling: The Story of Easter
by Sarah Young and Katya Longhi
Perfect for Lent or Resurrection Week, this book for four- to eight-year-olds features a collection of Old and New Testament stories that helps tell the story of Easter in context and with lots of heart. The story selection is genius because each one highlights a different key facet of the Easter narrative. For example, the story of Joseph is all about forgiveness and the story of Lazarus is about Jesus’ power over death. Of course, everything builds to Jesus’ death and resurrection, but it doesn’t end there. Jesus Calling: The Story of Easter also shares how Jesus appeared to the disciples, gave the Holy Spirit, and will come again someday.
Each entry in this beautiful children’s book for Easter has a Bible verse, a short Bible story, and a “Jesus Calling” message, which–like the rest of the Jesus Calling series–is to be read as if Jesus is speaking to us–encouraging us and reminding us of His great love.
Wondering to Jerusalem
by Vanessa Myers
Find it: Amazon
This interactive devotional walks kids through Holy Week and invites them to engage their curiosity and celebrate all God has done. There’s space for journaling, drawing, meditating on God’s word, and of course…wondering! I love that you can download and print stickers for kids to place in the book and mark their progress all the way to Easter. (In addition to being an author, Vanessa is a children’s minister and always has fun, free resources at Family Faith Builders.
‘Twas the Morning of Easter
by Glenys Nellist and Elena Selivanova
Kids will love this Christian picture book, which tells the story of resurrection in the beloved cadence of the classic poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Clement C. Moore). ‘Twas the Morning of Easter zooms in on Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb, her encounter with the risen Christ, and how she joyfully shared the good news with Jesus’ disciples.
This 2021 release is a follow-up to ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, another popular title from this beloved author, and she has since written ‘Twas the Season of Advent. (See our review for ‘Twas the Season of Advent here.)
Jesus and the Very Big Surprise
by Randall Goodgame and Catalina Echeverri
This Christ-centered picture book illustrates some of the beautiful ways Jesus surprises us. He is the creator born into creation, the king who gave His life to serve, and the slain who rose to life again–so surprising! But the book also draws attention to another, much more subtle way Jesus liked to surprise people: His stories! Jesus loved to dispel misconceptions about God with stories that showed what God is really like. And the centerpiece of Jesus and the Very Big Surprise is a parable with an unexpected ending: the master serves the servants! I love how this book describes God’s over-the-top love and encourages readers to show love to others while waiting for Jesus to return.
This author had also produced some amazing kids’ music and shows. Our favorite is Sing the Bible: Volume 3–it’s like learning the Bible while laughing your head off. For pure ridiculousness that also celebrates childhood, try Modern Kid.
Journey with Jesus: An Easter Story
by Ann Ingalls and Steliyana Doneva
Children will love the vibrant illustrations and rhyming text in this stunning Easter book. It tenderly walks through Holy Week: Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and the arrest, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Here’s some of the beautiful text:
But Sunday morning at first light,
Three women saw a wondrous sight!
These women there were not alone
An angel rolled away the stone.
“Behold, the Lord whom you revere,
Has risen now. He is not here.
Go look for Jesus , Nazarene.
Tell His disciples what you’ve seen.
Some words or events may need a touch of explanation for younger ones, inspiring little teachable moments. And for older kids there is a discussion guide on the publisher’s website.
Bare Tree and Little Wind
by Mitali Perkins and Khoa Le
This gorgeous Christian picture book begins with Little Wind’s curiosity about Real King. We see Real King through Palm Sunday and the Crucifixion. The Resurrection is whispered about, and but the focus of this story is on Real King as a person and his second coming. Themes of new life coming from barrenness and even destruction are strong and beautiful. At the end, both Bare Tree and Little Wind play a part in spreading the good news.
I made two comments for context as we read. When Little Wind wasn’t sure if the whispers of Real King being alive could be true, I asked, “What do you think?” That little moment gave us a chance to celebrate the mystery and excitement of the resurrection. Then during the pages that focus on the siege of Jerusalem, I explained that this historical event occurred about 35-40 years after Jesus rose again and is not talked about in the Bible. My kids, ages 11 and 7, really liked this book.
Easter Picture Books for All Ages
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter
created by Patti Rokus
Because our brains are wired for what is new and novel, sometimes we need a fresh way to experience something familiar. That’s just one reason to love He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter. The illustrations are completely composed of rocks and pebbles artfully arranged to convey several key Holy Week events. The kid-friendly text is infused with emotion, and the Bible verses throughout add depth to the Easter narrative. This children’s Easter book is great for all ages and is a follow-up to A Savior is Born: Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas.
Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus
by John Hendrix
With stunning illustrations that artfully integrate powerful text, Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus is sure to capture the attention and imagination of the whole family. Way more than a checklist of amazing things Jesus did, this book puts the miracles in context and gives kids a glimpse into the purpose behind the wonders.
The Miracle Man is clearly identified as God’s Son Jesus at the beginning and end, but throughout He is referred to as the Miracle Man or the Man. I love this because I imagine it echoes how the people of his day may have referred to Him as they tried to figure out just who this guy was. The book concludes with a picture of Jesus walking out of the tomb and the words “But God’s Son, Jesus, the Miracle Man had in store one last glorious miracle…” alluding of course to the miracle of the resurrection. This beautiful, mysterious ending makes the book a great springboard for further discussion.
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Add Your Favorite Easter Books
We’d love to hear about your favorites for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter in the comments!
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