EASTER BOOK PARADE: Eight Books to Teach Little Ones about the Real Meaning of Easter

I love a good old-fashioned Easter Parade with colorful bonnets and fancy spring outfits, all bursting with JOY. Easter, after all, is the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar. It’s when we celebrate the good news of Christ’s resurrection.

But amidst the joy of jelly beans and chocolate bunnies and colorful Easter outfits, it’s also good to remind our kids about the deeper significance of Easter. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to have an Easter BOOK Parade on my blog today featuring eight Easter-themed kids’ books that your little bunnies, I mean children,  might enjoy: 

The Easter Story by Patricia Pingry, illustrated by Mary Ann Utt

Intended for toddlers and preschoolers, with one or two concrete sentences per spread, this is a sweet introduction to the life of Jesus culminating with His glorious resurrection Easter morning.

Say and Pray Bible Easter Sticker and Activity Book by Diane Stortz, illustrated by Sarah Ward

If my kids were still little this would definitely be a part of their Easter baskets.  Chock full of over 40 Easter-related activities and puzzles plus 100 stickers, it will entertain and teach little ones about Easter in a most colorful and engaging way. Perfect for a long car ride, too.  

Bunny Finds Easter by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Ela Jarzabek 

As Bunny bounces through her day in this board book for littlest ones, she encounters various items that are connected to Easter including colorful Easter eggs, hot cross buns, an Easter bonnet, lilies and an Easter Egg Hunt. All these are fun, but it’s not until she arrives at church and all rise to sing the good news of Easter that Bunny realizes what it’s really about — Jesus!

’Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Elena Selivanova

Ideal for ages 4 – 8, this beautiful retelling of the Easter story is told to the cadence of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.  The illustrations have a glowing quality that adds to the richness of the story. We will be reading this Easter in my Sunday school class this year.

Benjamin’s Box by Melody Carlson, illustrated by Jack Stockman. 

Ideal for ages 6 – 10, Benjamin’s box recounts the story from the fictional perspective of a young boy named Benjamin.  Starting with Palm Sunday, Benjamin collects items that tell the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross, culminating in Jesus resurrection Easter Sunday.  The story can be paired with the ever-popular Resurrection Eggs.

That Grand Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio

Told in cumulative story-style to the cadence of  “This is the House that Jack Built”, this picture book introduces littlest ones to the Easter story beginning with the stone in front of the tomb and culminating in Jesus resurrection. It’s fun, memorable and perfect for preschoolers. 

Easter is Coming by Tama Fortner, illustrated by Wazza Pink

Author Tama Fortner does an exceptional job in this deceptively simple picture book of contextualizing Christ’s death and resurrection in the bigger scope of God’s grand plan for redemption. Starting with Adam and Eve, each spread poetically points to the fulfillment of God’s plan to save us through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection.

The Legend of the Easter Robin by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

This sweet tale uses robins, nests, and eggs to remind readers that Easter is when we celebrate the glorious miracle of Jesus’ resurrection – through which we too receive new life in Christ. I have used this book in past years as part of my Easter lessons for Sunday school.

These books are available wherever books are sold.  You can also recommend or request them through your local library (which is a wonderful way to help books get into the hands of readers). 

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