The Ultimate Lent & Easter Book List

For Lenten reflection & Easter giving with the 0-12 crowd

Every Easter, each child in our home gets a book in their basket. With five kids, this makes for a LOT of books—but I’m a firm adherent of the Anna Quindlen philosophy: “I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think interior decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.”

As a parent, writer, and reader, I can report that there are many wonderful books for this time of year and many less-lovely (cheesy, cringey, cartoony, etc.). I’m a big fan of a good book list, so I’ve gathered a few of my favorites here for you.

Amazon links are included because I’m both a pragmatist and an 11th-hour gift buyer. But please use these references to support your local bookstore OR request them from the library. Bookshop.org is another great alternative.

If you don’t have young people in your life to read with, you might want to share this list with a friend/relative or donate a few books to freshen up your church’s selection.

You can always find my complete list of recommended children’s books on faith here.

Head’s up: some titles below are Lent/Easter-specific. Others are evergreen, but include themes that tie to these seasons. All would make delightful gifts for Easter morning, says a mom who’s bought each one of them over the years!

For younger children (0-6 years)

My First Pictures of Easter by Maite Roche

Easter (board book) by Holli Conger

Let There Be Light: An Opposites Primer by Danielle Hitchen

A Missal for Toddlers by Elen Lescoat

The Tiny Seed: A Parable by Katie Warner

My Baptism Book by Sophie Piper

Easter by Fiona French

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise by Tomie dePaola

Simon and the Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin

Prayers for a Better World by Sophie Piper

The Road to Easter Day by Jan Godfrey

God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant

Psalm Twenty-Three by Tim Ladwig 

To Everything There Is a Season by Jude Daly

Listening For God: Silence Practice for Little Ones by Katie Warner and Amy Rodriguez

For older children (6-12 years)

The World Jesus Knew: A Curious Kid’s Guide to Life in the First Century by Marc Olson 

The End of the Fiery Sword: Adam & Eve and Jesus & Mary by Maura Roan McKeegan

Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost by Maura Roan McKeegan

Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus by Maura Roan McKeegan

An African Gospel by Bénédite de la Roncière

Stories of the Blessed Sacrament by Francine Bay

Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children by Katherine Bogner

Drawing God by Karen Kiefer

The Week That Led to Easter by Joanne Larrison

The Way of the Cross by Juliette Levivier

Benjamin’s Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson

Jesus is Risen!: An Easter Pop-Up Book by Agostino Traini

Loyola Kids Book of Bible Stories by Amy Welborn

The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith by Josephine Nobisso

Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist

Questions? Comments? Additions? Let us know:

Peace,

Laura

Find my books here: Everyday Sacrament | Grieving Together | Prayers for Pregnancy & Birth | To Bless Our Callings | Living Your Discipleship

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