Teaching children about God’s ways is so important for that reason We have put together a list of 25 Inspiring Christian stories to help you get started writing the Word of God upon their young hearts.
1- The Life of Jesus
Ever since the Middle Ages, countless Christians have prayed the rosary as a way to focus on the story of salvation. This centuries-old text that highlights the joy, sorrow, and glory of the story of Jesus is here given new life through the work of artist Mary Billingsley.
In Mary’s paintings, religious symbols and everyday objects mingle to create scenes from the life of Christ, scenes that offer the viewer a sense of the divine present in earthly form.
Readers of all ages will return to this book again and again, each time discovering within its pages fresh layers of beauty and meaning.
Purchase The Life of Jesus at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
2- A World of Prayers
By: Elena Gomez & Jeremy Brooks
A good prayer makes you think, and it may even make you laugh! These prayers have been collected from every corner of the world and though the words may differ from country to country, the same universal themes of love, forgiveness, and hope run through them all. There are prayers for night and day, graces for mealtimes, and blessings too. Beautiful illustrations help to make this a perfect first prayer book for young children.
Purchase A World of Prayers at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
3- Does God Know How to Tie Shoes?
By: Nancy White Carlstrom & Lori McElrath-Eslick
Katrina wants to know ore about God: “Mama, what does God wear? Does God like to paint? Does God ever cry, Papa?” Her parents’ responses, based on the Psalms, help Katrina to know God in ways that are very real to her.
Poetic text and bright impressionistic illustrations combine beautifully to make this a gentle and affirming picture book that will encourage a child’s exploration of God. Ideal for reading aloud.
With over 200,000 copies sold, Does God Know How to Tie Shoes? has long been one of our best-selling books. This new board-book format — a slightly abridged version of the original picture book — makes this beloved book accessible to a new, younger audience.
Purchase Does God Know How to Tie Shoes?
at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
4- Animals of the Bible for Young Children
By: Aurelia Fronty & Marie-Helene Delval
The Bible’s stories abound with animals, from Jonah’s giant fish and Daniel’s lions to humble sparrows and tiny ants. This colorful book uses simple language to introduce children to the menagerie of animals that populate the pages of the Bible, and shows how even the smallest of creatures bear witness to God’s wisdom and love.
Purchase Animals of the Bible at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
5- Images of God for Young Children
By: Barbara Nascimbeni & Marie-Helene Delval
The Bible describes God in many different ways: God is light; God is joy; God is wisdom. God is the beauty that fills the earth and the rock we stand on, the promises we live by and the fire that purifies us. This volume offers a collection of these images, presented in simple language that young readers can easily understand.
This book’s bright artwork and lyrical text, written by the bestselling author of Psalms for Young Children, explores how, even though we cannot see or touch God, we can still discover him in our world.
Booklist, Top Ten Religion Books for Youth (2011)
Purchase Images of God at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
6- The Bible for Young Children
By: Gotting Marie-Helene Delval
The Bible is filled with memorable stories — David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jonah and the big fish, the wise men following the star to Jesus. This selection of stories, retold in simple language for young readers, will introduce children to some of the Bible’s most heroic figures and unforgettable events.
Purchase The Bible for Young Children at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
7- Psalms for Young Children
By: Marie-Hélène Delval & Arno
The Psalms describe a whole range of emotions, from joy and wonder to sadness and regret. This collection of Psalms, paraphrased for young readers, uses simple yet powerful imagery to help children express their feelings.
8- At Jerusalem’s Gate
By: Nikki Grimes & David Frampton
I angle for
a glimpse of him
whose touch unlocks
a blind man’s sight,
a deaf man’s hearing.
A man in the crowd at Jerusalem vies to see Jesus; a disciple recounts details of the Last Supper; Pilate’s wife fears her husband’s decision. Beginning with Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, Nikki Grimes explores the first Easter through the voices of those who witnessed it.
The author’s introductions provide a thoughtful framework, and David Frampton’s beautifully intricate and expressive woodcuts illuminate each poem. At Jerusalem’s Gate offers readers of all ages insight into the most important moments in Christian history.
Read a review of the book by our own Rachel Bomberger on EerdWord.
Rea d about some great Lenten craft ideas to accompany this book on Eerdlings.
Booklist, Top Ten Religion Books for Youth (2005)
Cleveland Public Library, Celebrate with Books (2005)
National Council of Teachers of English, Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children to Nikki Grimes (2006)
9- Come Sunday
By: Nikki Grimes & Michael Bryant
Other Editions:HardcoverCome Sunday, Mommy wakes me up with whispers.
LaTasha, honey, she says to me,
Time to shed dawn’s cozy quilt.
Come on, Sweet Pea. Open up those eyes. . .
Softly, quietly begins the day of the week that, for LaTasha, is always full of glorious sounds: the pipe organ, tambourine, and drum; the footfalls of ushers marching down the aisle of the sanctuary; the sweet harmonies of the choir; and the rich vibrato of the preacher’s voice. LaTasha sings along with the congregation, confident that Heaven hears each joyful note.
Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, Nikki Grimes’ poems and the lush tapestry of colors in Michael Bryant’s illustrations celebrate a day of worship viewed through the eyes of an exuberant little girl.
Purchase Come Sunday at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
10- When Daddy Prays
By: Nikki Grimes & Tim Ladwig
Other Editions: Hardcover
When Daddy prays
my fear of darkness disappears
and angels tiptoe down the hall.
I hear them through the door and wall . . .when Daddy prays.
In this collection of new poems by Nikki Grimes, a child learns about prayer from his father, whose prayers carry the family through each day — no matter what the circumstances.
Nikki Grimes believes that spirituality and prayer are signs of true strength and power. When Daddy Prays celebrates fathers who help their children see this. Nikki writes, “In my view there is no more powerful image than that of a strong man bowing before God.”
And illustrator Tim Ladwig has created remarkable images, rich with tenderness and touches of affectionate humor, to enhance and complete this exceptional book.
National Council of Teachers of English, Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children to Nikki Grimes (2006)
Children’s Literature Council of Southern California, Distinguished Body of Work for 2002 Awarded to Nikki Grimes
Purchase When Daddy Prays at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
11- Jesus
By: Anselm Grün & Giuliano Ferri
A lovely portrayal of the life of Jesus of Nazareth
This graceful retelling of the life of Jesus takes readers back over two thousand years ago to Nazareth, a young girl named Mary, and a miraculous virgin birth. The story continues through the years as Jesus grows up, learns among the great teachers of his day, calls his disciples, preaches, and performs miracles. The book concludes with Jesus’ last Passover meal, betrayal, crucifixion, and glorious resurrection.
Anselm Grün’s accessible descriptions, along with warm, inviting paintings from Giuliano Ferri, together create a beautiful picture of the life of Jesus.
Purchase Jesus at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
12- Mary’s Song
By: Lee Bennett Hopkins & Stephen Alcorn
On that first Christmas night, the earth bursts with praise at the Savior’s birth. Donkeys bray, sheep bleat, horses neigh, and shepherds come from nearby fields — but Mary simply wants to be alone with her sweet babe.
When quiet finally falls, Mary cradles her son and sings her mother- song, leaving readers dreaming of that silent night so long ago.
Mary’s Song, with its melodic language and rich illustrations, is a lovely reminder of the meaning of Christmas and a welcome pause in the midst of a bustling world.
Read more about this book on EerdWord.
Purchase Mary’s Songs at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
13- I Wanted to Know All About God
By: Virginia Kroll & Debra Reid Jenkins
Other Editions:
Paperback
I wanted to know all about God,
So I went looking for him in signs of His creation . . .
In simple, poetic language this engaging book explores the kinds of questions children ask about God: What does God do in the morning? Where is God at night? What colors does God like? What does God’s love feel like? The warm, colorful illustrations depict children of diverse cultural backgrounds wondering about God and experiencing God in their daily lives.
Purchase I Wanted to Know All About God at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
14- The Lord’s Prayer
By: Tim Ladwig
Other Editions: Hardcover
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed by your name. . .
The beloved words of The Lord’s Prayer serve as the text for this remarkable book, in which Tim Ladwig illustrates how the words of this ancient prayer can have real meaning in our lives today.
In Tim’s paintings, a young girl and her father spend a day together helping an elderly neighbor. The love and guidance the child experiences in her relationship with her dad reflect the heart and will of our Heavenly Father in concrete ways children of all ages will understand.
Purchase The Lord’s Prayer at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
15- Paul Writes (a Letter)
A charming introduction to Saint Paul and his epistles
Caldecott Medal-winner Chris Raschka breathes new life into the letters of Paul the Apostle with this inviting book. Each sumptuous page distills the main themes of Paul’s epistles into approachable, appealing language. Chris Raschka expertly depicts Paul’s sincerity and compassion, sadness and pain, giving readers a true sense of who Paul really was.
Paul Writes (a Letter) celebrates how one of the most beloved biblical figures changed the world through the written word.
Purchase Paul Writes (a Letter) at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
16- The Nativity from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke
By:
For centuries, the Gospels have brought to audiences of all ages the story of the birth of Christ, from the breathtaking appearance of the angel Gabriel to the arduous journey of the three wise men, from Herod’s chilling decree to the return of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Nazareth. The text of this book, drawn from the books of Matthew and Luke, becomes all the more vivid when paired with the luminous and detailed illustrations of talented artist Ruth Sanderson. Elaborate borders combine the traditional elements of an illuminated manuscript with a contemporary palette to make this spectacular volume a book to be treasured and shared with family and friends.
Purchase The Nativity at Amazon, Christianbook.com, or your local bookstore.
17- Prayer for Young Children
By: Barbara Nascimbeni & Martina Steinkuehler
A collection of prayers for every occasion
It’s easy to reach out to God when you want something, but what about when you’re happy, lonely, or afraid—what do you say then? This thoughtful collection of prayers offers children ways of approaching God in a variety of circumstances. The prayers, each rooted in a Bible story, describe different situations that readers will easily relate to, from life-changing events like mov-ing to a new city to everyday occurrences like winning a game or not being able to sleep.
With bold, inviting illustrations, this book will inspire readers to connect with God in new ways.
Purchase Prayers for Young Childrens at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
18- God’s Quiet Thing
By: Nancy Sweetland & Rick Stevens
Shhh. Listen. Can you hear a sound from worms that wiggle underground? Do you hear the darkness fall? The morning dew that comes to call? Look and listen high and low. God’s quiet things are yours to know.
Nancy Sweetland’s delightful lyrics show children the marvelous things in nature that they can discover by looking and listening, and Rick Stevens’s soft pastel illustrations reveal that God’s quiet things are always there just waiting to be discovered.
Purchase God’s Quiet Things at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
19- The Child’s Story Bible
By: Catherine F. Vos
Hundreds of thousands of children throughout the world have been introduced to the riches of the Bible through this classic Bible storybook. First published seventy years ago, the much-loved Child’s Story Bible continues to instruct and delight today’s children and parents.
Purchase The Child’s Story Bible at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
20- Thank You, God
A heartwarming reminder of life’s blessings
This bright, lyrical book offers readers of all ages and backgrounds the perfect chance to reflect on all the things that they have to be grateful for. Thank You, God is a celebration of family and friends, of homes and food to share, and of the wonder of creation from the first light of day to the calm, peaceful night.
This inspiring book, with its elegant yet accessible text and vibrant illustrations, is sure to have a powerful impact on readers as it encourages them to view the world around them with fresh eyes.
Read more from the author of this book on Eerdlings.
Booklist Top Ten Religion & Spirituality Books for Youth: 2015
Purchase Thank You, God at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
21- The Easter Story
By: Brian Wildsmith
Once, a long time ago, a little donkey was brought to Jesus. The little donkey had never been ridden before, but Jesus spoke gently to him, and soon he stopped being afraid. Jesus climbed onto the donkey’s back, and they set off for Jerusalem. . .
In clear, reverent language and shining gold- toned paintings, award-winning author/illustrator Brian Wildsmith creates this companion book to his earlier A Christmas Story. With an enchantingly simple perspective that will engage even the very youngest child, Wildsmith offers a splendid new version of the greatest story ever told.
Read about some great Lenten craft ideas to accompany this book on Eerdlings.
Purchase The Easter Story at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
22- Exodus
By: Brian Wildsmith
This is the story of how one man led his people out of slavery to a land that God had promised to give them. His name was Moses.
With vivid, richly detailed illustrations, Brian Wildsmith captures all the major events of one of the greatest stories in the Bible. The story of the Exodus and the rescue of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt is a powerful and exciting tale which attests that God’s guiding hand is always evident.
In Wildsmith’s hands, this familiar journey comes alive against stunning backdrops–from the great palaces of ancient Egypt, to the vast expanses of Sinai’s mountains and wilderness, to the peaceful place God’s people can finally call home.
Book Sense, Easter/Passover Top Ten Picks List (2005)
Booklist, Top Ten Religion Books for Youth
Children’s Book Council, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
National Jewish Book Awards, Finalist
Parent Council, Ltd., Selected as Outstanding
Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media, Award
Children’s Crown Award Reading Programs, Children’s Crown Gallery Award Nominee List, 2001-2002
23- Hail Mary
By: Sabrina Bus & Xavier Deneux
With clear, simple language and sweet illustrations, this board book explains the meaning of one of the best-loved Christian prayers, the Hail Mary. Brief explanatory text relates the words of the prayer to young children’s everyday lives and teaches them how to talk to Mary like a mother.
Rounded corners, padded covers, and sturdy board book pages ensure that youngsters can enjoy this book over and over.
Purchase Exodus at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
24- The Watcher
By: Bryan Collier & Nikki Grimes
A poetic story inspired by Psalm 121
Jordan lives in fear of Tanya, the class bully. But Tanya has worries of her own, no matter how much she tries to ignore them. It seems impossible that Jordan and Tanya could be anything other than enemies, but the Lord is watching over them, guiding each of them along a path that might just help them to understand one another.
Nikki Grimes takes the words of a Psalm 121 and masterfully transforms them into a golden shovel poem of compassion, friendship, and faith. Coupled with powerful artwork from Bryan Collier, this heartfelt story is one that readers will treasure.
NCTE Notable Poetry Books 2018
25- Psalm Twenty-Three
By: Tim Ladwig
Through poignant, heart-warming images of an urban African-American family, children experience the comfort and encouragement this favorite psalm still offers–the powerful message that they can rely on the Lord as they thread their way through the risk-filled maze of daily life in the city.
Booklist, Top Ten Religion Books for Youth
Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media, Award
Parent Council, Ltd., Selected as Outstanding
Purchase The Watcher at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
I like the idea of reading a book about verses in the Bible that have been turned into beautiful poems about faith. I want my kids to have faith in what they believe and do. I’d love to help them grow their faith by reading them these short stories and verses from the Bible.