Check out this list of picture books containing lovely collections of Christian stories, poetry and prayers. Some of these stories and prayers have been taken from the Bible and retold for children, making them enjoyable and easy to learn.
As It Is In Heaven
Éric Puybaret’s atmospheric paintings illuminate classic Christian prayers, drawn from over two thousand years of faith. Selections include the Apostles’ Creed, the Magnificat, and the Lord’s Prayer, as well as prayers from St. Francis, St. Augustine, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Each contemplative pairing of text and art invites readers to find new meaning in familiar words.
This book is an opportunity to introduce—or rediscover—words that have been prayed by people around the world for centuries.
Purchase As it Is in Heaven at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Barnes & Nobles, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
The Beatitudes
Since the earliest days of slavery, African Americans have called on their religious faith in the struggle against oppression.
In this book the Beatitudes — from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount — form the backdrop for Carole Boston Weatherford’s powerful free-verse poem that traces the African American journey from slavery to civil rights.
Tim Ladwig’s stirring illustrations showcase a panorama of heroes in this struggle, from the slaves shackled in the hold of a ship to the first African American president taking his oath of office on the steps of the United States Capitol.
Readers of all ages will find this a book to return to again and again for encouragement and inspiration.
Purchase The Beatitudes at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Before You Were Born
What child isn’t curious about those first days of life? In Before You Were Born, Nancy White Carlstrom expertly portrays the sense of wonder new parents feel and reveals the many ways a family grows and changes when a child arrives. Inspired by Psalm 139, this lyrical book celebrates the mystery of how each child is a unique and important part of God’s plan.
With warm, joyful illustrations, Before You Were Born tenderly conveys the excitement and love with which parents welcome children into their lives.
Purchase Before You Were Born at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, or your local bookstore.
Brother Giovanni’s Little Reward
The entertaining story of a serendipitous invention
Brother Giovanni is a happy man, content to do what he knows best: baking. But all is not well at his monastery, where the monks are trying to teach the children their prayers in time for a very important visit from the Bishop. Having tried everything, they turn to Giovanni — but he doesn’t know anything about teaching! Eventually, though, Brother Giovanni discovers how to use his gifts to offer the children the perfect motivation and invents the tasty treat we now know as the pretzel.
This vibrant book, which includes a historical note and a pretzel recipe, tells the fascinating story behind one of the world’s most popular snacks.
Purchase Brother Giovanni’s Little Reward at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Come Sunday
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, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
God’s Quiet Things
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, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Hail Mary
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.
I See the Moon
and the moon sees me.
Does anyone know
I’m alone here at sea?A little girl dreams that she’s all alone at sea in a tiny boat. It’s dark, and the sea is scary. Then she sees the gentle moon, the first sign of God’s love. The moon, the stars, and at last the sun lend enough light to lead her back to shore, where she realizes she was never alone at all. God has brought her safely home.
Based on a traditional children’s rhyme, Kathy Appelt’s poetic text and Debra Reid Jenkins’ imaginative and dramatic paintings, accented in gold leaf, convey a sense of mystery and wonder and make this book a perfect illustration of God’s abiding love.
Purchase I See the Moon at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Just for Today
An elegant depiction of an inspirational text
Known fondly as “The Good Pope,” John XXIII was recently canonized as a saint, and his daily Decalogue continues to be a source of inspiration and comfort for people the world over. In this lovely picture book, graceful illustrations connect the text to everyday life, showing how the statements apply to school, family, and friendships.
The pairing of Saint John XXIII’s cherished words and Bimba Landmann’s symbolic artwork instills readers of all ages with a sense of peace while they savor each page. This charming book provides the perfect reminder of how to make the most of every day.
Purchase Just for Today at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
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, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
The Lord’s Prayer
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, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Manger
A lovely retelling of the Christmas story from the perspective of the animals
There is a legend that describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this rich collection, Lee Bennett Hopkins and a dozen other poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event.
This collection of graceful poems provides readers with a Nativity story unlike any other — at times gently humorous, at times profound, but always inviting readers to appreciate the wonder of Christmas. This book is a perfect gift for the holiday season.
Includes poems by…
- Lee Bennett Hopkins
- Joan Bransfield Graham
- Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
- X. J. Kennedy
- Jude Mandell
- Marilyn Nelson
- Jane Yolen
- Ann Whitford Paul
- Prince Redcloud
- Rebecca Kai Dotlich
- Michele Krueger
- Alma Flor Ada
- Alice Schertle
Our Father
With clear, simple language and sweet illustrations, this board book explains the meaning of one of the best-loved Christian prayers, the Lord’s Prayer. Brief explanatory text relates the words of the prayer to young children’s everyday lives and teaches them how to talk to God like a father.
Rounded corners, padded covers, and sturdy board book pages ensure that youngsters can enjoy this book over and over.
Our Father
The Lord’s Prayer is essential to the Christian faith, yet the language and the ideas it conveys can be daunting to children. Our Father addresses children’s questions in a way that is both clear and poetic; Rainer Oberthür beautifully explains the meaning behind each line of the Lord’s Prayer, making it more accessible for young readers.
With bold, inviting illustrations that perfectly complement the text, this book will give readers of all ages a deeper understanding of God and the meaning of faith.
Prayers for Young Children
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 Readers at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Psalm Twenty-Three
Purchase Psalm Twenty-Three at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Psalms for Young Children
Purchase Psalm for Young Children at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Sleepy Time Blessings
Time for bed
Angels gather round your head
Blessing tummy
Blessing toes
Blessing eyes and ears and noseSimple text and an adorable bunny baby — watched over by sweet guardian bunny angels! — make this board book a favorite bedtime story for very young children.
Purchase Sleepy Time Blessings at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
Song of Creation
“Birds pray, trees pray, flowers pray, mountains pray, the winds and rain pray, rivers and the little insects pray as well. The whole earth is in constant prayer, and we can join with its great prayer,” says award-winning author and illustrator Paul Goble.
Every element of creation — from the magpie to the minnow — glorifies God in its own way in this bold and brightly illustrated work, adapted from The Book of Common Prayer. Goble invites readers to join with the land and the animals in singing praise to God.
Purchase Song of Creation at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
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.
Purchase Thank You, God at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
What Does the Sky Say?
A child watches the sky in changing seasons and in all kinds of weather and learns to listen to its voice.
In What Does the Sky Say? author Nancy White Carlstrom’s imaginative and poetic text encourages all readers, both very young and older, to wake up to and participate in the opportunities for joy and learning each day offers. And Tim Ladwig’s extraordinary illustrations perfectly capture the moods of weather and season, the magic of childhood, and our deep connection to all creation and its Creator.
Purchase Why Does the Sky Say? at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
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.
Purchase When Daddy Prays at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
A World of Prayers
Purchase A World of Prayers at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Eerdmans, Indie Bound or your local bookstore.
