43 Must-Read Christian Books for Kids and Families
Here is my list of 43 best Christian children's books for the Whole Family to read in 2025.
I have some little nieces and a young child. I like to read a Bible or Christian book to my son daily.
I want to tell you about some great Christian books I like for kids. They have nice pictures and teach good lessons.
It can be tough to find classic Christian children's books, though. Some of them aren't very good quality. What do you think about that?
But the ones I've found are really good. They have great stories and pictures, and they teach important ideas.
Even adults can learn from them! That's why I like the below books so much.
This collection is a comprehensive guide to faith-based reading for kids and families.
- All books are specifically written and designed for children and families
- The content focuses on religious education and spiritual development for children
- Many books are formatted as board books, picture books, and interactive stories suitable for family reading time
- The descriptions emphasize parent-child reading experiences and family discussions
- The books cover topics relevant to family life and children's understanding of faith, from simple biblical stories to more complex spiritual concepts
- Many entries mention age recommendations and family reading suggestions
This article is a curated list of Christian-themed books targeting children of various ages (from toddlers to elementary school) and their families
Discover the best Christian children's books, including toddler-friendly Jesus/faith based books for kids. Find top picks for children's Christian literature and stories for 0-12-year-olds.
1. Jesus Calling for Little Ones
- It's a board book, so it's sturdy and won't easily tear, perfect for kids who tend to damage books.
- The book has short sentences and cute pictures that make it easy to understand and fun to read.
- It's all about Jesus and His love, helping little ones get to know Him better.
- With short devotionals and verses, it's perfect for kids who can't sit still for too long.
- Reading it every day can become a lovely routine, teaching kids about God's love and care.
2. The One-Year Devotions for Preschoolers
- The book has short stories that are simple to read and understand.
- It has cute pictures on every page that make reading enjoyable.
- Each story includes a Bible verse and a short prayer.
- Perfect for reading before going to sleep.
- It's ideal for kids aged 3 to 6, making it perfect for young readers.
3. Everything a Child Should Know About God
- It's a book called "Everything a Child Should Know About God" by Kenneth Taylor.
- The book covers important topics about Christian beliefs, like who God is, Jesus, sin, and the Bible.
- It has cute illustrations and simple language that's easy to understand.
- Parents can read it with their kids and talk about the ideas together.
- The book uses simple words, so even young kids can get what it's saying about God and faith.
- The book has cute pictures that help you understand the ideas better.
- After each explanation, there's an easy question to think about, making it fun to learn.
4. God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies
- This book teaches you about your body, how it's special, and why it's important to take care of it.
- It helps you know what's right and wrong when it comes to people touching your body.
- By reading this book, you'll learn how to protect yourself from bad things happening and know who to talk to if you need help.
- It gives you and your parents a way to talk about serious things like safe touches and keeping secrets.
- After reading, you'll feel more confident knowing that your body is special, and you can ask for help if something feels wrong.
5. The Priest with Dirty Clothes
- "The Priest with Dirty Clothes" is a captivating children's book written by R.C. Sproul, known for its exciting storyline and rich language.
- It helps kids understand big ideas from the Bible, like imputation and justification, in simple ways that even adults struggle with.
- The book features beautiful pictures that bring the story to life, making it even more enjoyable to read.
- Through the story of Joshua the high priest, the book teaches about forgiveness, faith, and how Jesus helps us when we're in trouble.
- Parents and kids alike love this book for its clear message and engaging storytelling, making it a favorite for families.
- The author, R.C. Sproul, is a respected teacher and writer, so you know the book is reliable and good.
6. The Prince's Poison Cup
- The book, "The Prince's Poison Cup," tells a story about a King and His Son, the Prince, who sacrifices himself to save his people.
- The pictures in the book are really pretty and help tell the story in a fun way.
- It helps kids understand how Jesus took on punishment for our mistakes, like when Ella wonders why medicine tastes bad even though it helps.
- Even though it's about deep stuff, the book explains it in a way that kids can get it, like how the King represents God and the Prince represents Jesus.
- While it's aimed at kids aged 3 to 7, even younger kids can enjoy it, and also under 2 years old.
7. The Barber Who Wanted to Pray
- This book teaches a simple way to pray, perfect for kids and adults.
- Based on a True Story. It's about a barber meeting Martin Luther, who teaches him to pray.
- The book uses the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed to explain prayer.
- The pictures help keep kids engaged in the story.
- Adults can learn from it too, understanding deep truths of the gospel simply.
8. Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World
- This book tells the story of Martin Luther, who helped start the Protestant Reformation.
- It has beautiful pictures that make the story more interesting and easier to understand.
- Discover why October 31st is not just Halloween but also Reformation Day, and why it's important.
- The writing is clear and fun, making it enjoyable to read.
- Even though it's recommended for younger kids, older children (around 8-10) can also enjoy and understand it better.
- Discover how Luther's ideas changed history and still affect our world today.
9. The Very First Christmas
- The book tells the true story of Christmas, which the boy's mom shares when he asks for real bedtime stories.
- It answers many questions about the Christmas story, like when the Wisemen visited Jesus.
- The book corrects common misunderstandings about the nativity story, making it educational.
- It's written by a best-selling author, Paul L. Maier, and has beautiful illustrations by Francisco Ordaz.
- This book is great for families, can be used during Advent, and makes a wonderful gift for children and friends.
10. The Very First Easter
- This book explains the first Easter story and answers questions kids might have about it.
- It helps children remember why Easter is important and its spiritual significance.
- The pictures in the book are beautiful and help excitingly tell the story.
- The author, Paul Maier, knows a lot about history and Easter, so you'll learn a ton from reading it.
- Even though some parts might be tricky, it explains difficult ideas well, making it easy for kids to understand.
11. The Jesus Storybook Bible
- The Jesus Storybook Bible has many different stories from the Bible that are interesting.
- It has beautiful illustrations that help understand the stories better.
- Each story in the book shows how it connects to the bigger picture of Jesus coming to save us.
- The book nicely explains things, making it easy to understand.
- It's best for younger kids or elementary school students, but even older readers can enjoy it and learn more about Jesus.
12. Jesus and the Very Big Surprise
- The books are really enjoyable and remind the reader of the Jesus Storybook Bible, but even more fun!
- The books have stories and text in the pictures, making them visually appealing.
- Each book tells a different story from the Bible, like "The 1 O'Clock Miracle" or "The Storm that Stopped."
- Just like the Jesus Storybook Bible, these books point to Jesus and teach important truths in a fun way.
- These books are great for little ones to learn important things about faith and life.
13. Read Aloud Bible Stories
- The book uses easy words and sentences, so even little kids can understand.
- There are simple pictures that help tell the stories in the book.
- The stories use terms children know, like "mommies and daddies" and "grandmas and grandpas."
- The stories are designed for toddlers aged 2-5, making them easy to understand.
- The book tells lots of different stories from the Bible, like when Jesus calmed a storm.
- After each story, there are questions to help you understand what happened and what you can learn from it.
14. Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
The gentle beauty of the story of the First Christmas is now available as a board book. With a simple, lyrical text and radiant artwork, this book is perfect for the youngest child to be a part of the wonder of the Nativity.
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers have all embraced this telling. Don't miss this beautiful little book from the acclaimed team of Nola Buck and Felicia Bond.
15. God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas.
Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and discover how very much God loves them.
16. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears explore the value of generosity and gratitude in The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving.
Children will discover ways to implement traditional values and share God’s goodness in Zonderkidz's The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series of books.
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving:
- Sparks conversations about the joy of giving to others?
- Encourages age-appropriate discussions about sharing and developing an attitude of gratitude?
- Perfect for back-to-school reading, summer reading, birthday gifts, and holidays? gift-giving
- Perfect for early readers ages 4-8, reading out loud at home or in a classroom
The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series:
- Features the hand-drawn artwork of the Berenstain family
- Continues in the much-loved footsteps of Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Is part of one of the bestselling children’s book series ever created, with more than 250 unique books published and nearly 300 million books sold to date?
Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books in The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series.
17. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
This favorite Christmas picture book is now available in a reduced-size padded board book perfect for little hands with bright red foil on the cover to share the holiday cheer!
In the stable next to an inn, Kind Ox is just settling in for the night when Old Dog comes into the stable.
Kind Ox makes room for Old Dog, who in turn makes room for Stray Cat, who then makes room for Small Mouse--and each time, the larger animal says to the small, "There's always room for a little one here."
Finally, Tired Donkey comes by, carrying Joseph and Mary, who asks "Where will my child be born?" Kind Ox replies, "There is always room for a little one here." And so, Jesus is born in the stable with the animals all around Him.
18. The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson
Share the true meaning of Christmas with your children this holiday season. This simple but poetic text brings to life the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
First published in 1952, this Little Golden Book adaption of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story is a perfect gift for the holidays.
19. The Animals’ Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum
This sweet barnyard Christmas counting story makes the perfect gift!
In the barn on Christmas Eve,
After all the people leave,
The animals, in voices low,
Remember Christmas long ago . . .
So begins a sweet rhyming story in which a group of animals recounts the events surrounding Jesus' birth in the manger, and the parts some of their ancestors played in it.
20. Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki
Discover the true meaning of the holidays as Santa Claus retells the story of the first Christmas in this sweet picture book from Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev.
When Santa Claus tells the forest animals that he is not looking forward to delivering all those heavy packages, they are worried that there won’t be a Christmas anymore.
To help everyone understand that Christmas would still come even if he didn’t, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas, and they all learn a good lesson about the meaning of this special holiday.
21. Jesus’ Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen
The innkeeper in Bethlehem recounts the story of the first Christmas from his own perspective as he complains about not being able to get to sleep because of all the knocks on his door until a chorus of angels leads him to the stable to discover what all the fuss is about.
22. Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
Humphrey the camel is only interested in one thing -- getting his carpet blanket back. As he journeys with the Wise Men to Bethlehem, Humphrey bemoans his lost blanket until he finally gets a new one.
But when the caravan arrives and Humphrey sees baby Jesus shivering, he gives the child his new blanket without a second thought.
Full of rich acrylic paintings, humor, and heart, this board book edition of Carol Heyer's bestseller will swiftly become a cherished favorite with little ones.
23. The Nativity by Julie Vivas
The Nativity's biblical story is about faith, love--and a miracle. With illustrations that are enchanting and unexpected, Julie Vivas reveals the human side of Mary's story, beautifully imagining the Angel Gabriel delivering the news to her, the exhausting journey with Joseph to Bethlehem, and at last the deliverance of the baby Jesus.
24. Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate
A modern Christmas classic about how the animals prepare a cozy welcome for the baby Jesus, perfect for under the tree or in stockings.
"Who is coming to our house?
Someone, someone," says Mouse.
As Pig makes room, Lamb cleans up, Goose stacks the hay, and Duck lines the crib with eiderdown, Mary and Joseph are on their way by donkey. All the animals are eager to welcome baby Jesus to their home.
A warm, lyrical book your family will cuddle up with for years.
25. Happy Birthday, Christmas Child! by Laura Sassi
Written by bestselling author Laura Sassi and illustrated by Gabi Murphy, Happy Birthday, Christmas Child! celebrates the warmth, wonder, and excitement of the night Jesus was born.
Intended for little ones ages 0 - 4 and their families, Happy Birthday, Christmas Child is:
- a sturdy board book perfect for little hands
- a charming introduction to the wonder and joy of Christmas
- a spark for a conversation about how Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birth
- a fun way for toddlers and preschoolers to practice counting and naming things
- a great gift option for Christmas, birthdays, baby showers, children’s ministry, preschool programs, and more.
26. The King of Christmas by Todd R. Hains and Natasha Kennedy
The star of the King of Christmas―where will we find him? Inspired by the story of the magi and Mary's Magnificat, The King of Christmas invites children and families to share the joy of searching for Jesus during Advent.
Join FatCat and the wise men as they follow the light of the Christmas star, journeying over sea and field, through market and temple, to find the King of Christmas. In each place they look, a new friend joins their search.
The journey doesn't end with the manager. Once the magi and their lively cast of friends and friendly beasts find Jesus at the nativity scene, they ask where else he can be found. On the cross? In the tomb?
And where do we find the King of Christmas today? In his words, where he promises to be found. Wherever his name and word are, you will find him too. Merry Christmas to all of God's children!
27. Bethlehem Barn by Debra Westgate-Silva
Ancient legends tell us that for one hour on Christmas Eve, animals are given the gift of speech. If we could have heard the animals on that very first Christmas Eve, what do you think they would have said?
Donkey, Cow, Sheep, Chicken, and Bird are having a typical winter night in the barn. That is until the Cow finds something in her food trough.
Astonishment turns into awe when Bird reveals that it's a human baby. And not just any human baby, it's baby Jesus, the people's Savior!
All the animals are humbled--the baby Jesus, in their barn! A frenzy follows while the animals do everything they can to make Him comfortable, warm, and safe.
With soft, beautiful artwork and a delightful animal cast, Bethlehem Barn is a light-hearted, fun retelling of that very first Christmas that will charm children and adults alike.
Bethlehem Barn is perfect for:
- Parents looking for a sweet, funny read-aloud book with a Christian message
- Grandparents looking for a special gift for their grandchildren
- Christian school teachers looking to build their classroom libraries
- Sunday School teachers looking for a fun Christmas read-aloud book
- A Christmas Eve storytime tradition that will delight listeners of all ages
- New baby, baby shower, baptism, or christening gift
28. The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell
This hardback storybook is a captivating retelling of the Christmas story, showing how God kept his promise to send a new King, a rescuing King, a forever King! Perfect for children aged 3 to 6.
Superb illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and faithful, Bible-centered story-telling by Alison Mitchell combine to make this a book that both parents and children will love.
29. Jesus Came for Me by Jared Kennedy
Jesus came for us. Because Jesus was born at Christmas, we can know that he is with us always. This board book by author Jared Kennedy helps toddlers and preschoolers understand the true meaning of Christmas in a personal, memorable way.
Jesus Came for Me is part of The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible series. For children, ages three to seven, this beautifully illustrated, Christian, children's book begins with the announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and ends with the visit of the wise men.
Jesus Christ, our great God, was born as a little baby, and his birth is good news and great joy for all people including your child!
Help your little one know that Jesus is always present, and he helps us believe and wait for him. Because of the compelling content and modern, vivid illustrations, children will live in the joy of the greatest truth of all: Jesus is with us!
This conversational book simply tells the story of the gospel and invites children to respond. Jesus Came for Me helps toddlers and preschoolers celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
30. Christmas is Coming! by Tama Fortner
Christmas is for celebrating Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the world. While Christmas excitement often focuses on hanging lights, opening gifts, and decorating trees, Christmas Is Coming! offers a different—and true—reason for our joy and celebration.
Designed to be read and reread during the days leading up to Christmas, the story lets children ages 2-6 listen with wonder and anticipation as the story of God’s plan for Jesus’ arrival unfolds.
31. All The Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner
Matthew Paul Turner celebrates the Christmas season, particularly the colors that infuse the holiday and all the memorable sensations and experiences—including a festive market, sledding, and nativity scene—connected to those bright hues.
Matthew draws his readers into a whirling ribbon of the familiar reds and greens of Christmas, as well as other festive hues, including white, gold, blue, and brown.
Christmas is RED.
It's a bright shiny sled.
It's candy canes,
and toy store lanes.
It's sprinkles on sweet bread.
Christmas is BROWN
It’s pinecones scattered round…
It’s a cradle soft with hay
And a donkey’s gentle bray.
It’s God within
a baby’s skin
on that very first Christmas Day.
All the colors come together when readers are reminded that Christmas is YOU—you’re a part of the story, the joy, and the glory!
Matthew shows us again and again that the holidays are nothing without being with the people we love, celebrating treasured traditions, and making new memories—all in vivid color.
32. A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough
Some people think that Christmas is a "Silent Night". Far from it. It was filled with shouting, singing, and screaming! It was as noisy as any of our Christmas celebrations.
This fun and fresh retelling of the Christmas story comes with invitations to make some noise so that children can join in as parents read to them.
But it also shows children that at the heart of the Christmas story is something we should all be quiet and see: God’s Son Jesus was born so that we can be friends with God forever.
A wonderful Christmas gift for children aged 2-4.
33. There’s a Lion in my Nativity by Lizzie Laferton
This rhyming book with warm, quirky illustrations makes a beautiful Christmas gift for children who are 4-7 years old.
In this story of a Christmas nativity play, Mary thinks she is the star of the show. However, as the play goes on, she finds that every scene has been stolen by an unlikely character or object, such as a tent, a phone, and a lion!
With the help of the narrator, Mary realizes that each one actually teaches us a profound truth about Jesus.
The tent teaches us that Jesus came to live among us humbly; the phone teaches us that Jesus came to connect us to God, and the lion shows us that Jesus is the king of the universe!
Along with Mary, readers will see that Jesus is the true star of the show and that it is wonderful to know him.
34. Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Song of the Stars, written by bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones, enhances Advent traditions and adds depth to Christmas Eve readings of the Christmas story.
Families will treasure this fresh perspective on the nativity for years to come. Beautifully illustrated and told from the perspective of the animals and all creation, Song of the Stars:
- features easy-to-read text and is perfect for ages 4–8
- is ideal for Advent and Christmas storytime
- explores the joy, excitement, and celebration of creation and the coming of Jesus
- inspires discussions of why Advent is observed
This gorgeous picture book is great for Christmas-themed story times and an addition to your family library that will be treasured for many years.
35. Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
From the bestselling author of classics like Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny comes a Christmas story sure to delight generations of new readers, illustrated in 2016 by the beloved Llama Llama creator, Anna Dewdney.
In this reissued edition by Margaret Wise Brown, Christmas in the Barn tells a childlike interpretation of the Nativity story with all-new full-color illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator Anna Dewdney, creator of the Llama Llama series.
"Brown's tender, lyrical account of the Nativity has been reissued...with illustrations that expand the succinct text, giving a quiet sense of grandeur while at the same time making readers feel a part of the events. A lovely book for a new generation of readers" says School Library Journal.
36. The Littlest Watchman by Scott James
Benjamin is a Watchman. It's his job to watch for the sign that all God's promises are coming true. It's his job to watch a stump.
The trouble is, it's hard just waiting. And one night, Benjamin finally gives in and stops watching. But that same night, as he sits outside Bethlehem, he gets to watch something wonderful.
Kids will be gripped by what Benjamin saw and will be excited by the Christmas story all over again.
37. Twas the Evening of Christma's by Glenys Nellist
'Twas the evening of Christmas, when all through the town,
Every inn was so crowded, no room could be found.
Tired Mary and Joseph, who went door to door,
At last found a place on a small stable floor.
For over 200 years, families have gathered on Christmas Eve to hear the much-loved words of Dr. Clement C. Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
This year, families can gather together to share the real Christmas story--the story of Jesus' birth.
'Twas the Evening of Christma echoes the familiar language and rhythm of Dr. Clements' poetry, but instead of focusing on Santa, it focuses on the baby Jesus, who is, after all, the true hero of Christmas.
All families will delight in this simple retelling of the most famous story ever told. With a cover that comes alive with foil and sculpted embossing, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic.
38. A Child is Born by Margaret Wise Brown
This lyrical celebration of the miracle of Christmas is now just the right size for little hands!
Margaret Wise Brown's simple, poetic language brought to life by Floyd Cooper's spectacular paintings offers a fresh perspective on the Holy Family and the miraculous birth of Christ.
39. A Churchmouse Christmas by Barbara Davoll
The hour is drawing near for the church's special Christmas play- and Christopher wants to add a churchmouse to the church's nativity scene.
When the play finally comes together, Chris learns that the true meaning of Christmas is for all of God's creation.
40. Goodnight Manger by Laura Sassi
Goodnight, Manger:
- Is perfect as bedtime reading for your toddlers and little ones, especially during the holiday season
- Makes the Christmas story fun and accessible for young readers
- Helps kids think deeper about what being in the stable may have been like for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
- Can be read during Advent, the Christmas season, or celebrations of Jesus’s birthday
- Makes a great gift for baby showers, new moms, grandchildren, toddlers, nieces and nephews, and boys and girls 0-4
It's bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew a manger could be so loud? Mama, Papa, and all the animals try to get the baby to sleep, but between itchy hay, angels' joyful hosannas, and three kings bearing noisy gifts, it's just too loud.
Until Mama finds a way for everyone to work together to shepherd Jesus into peaceful dreams under the twinkling stars.
If you enjoy Goodnight, Manger, be sure to check out Goodnight, Ark as well!
41. Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler
- Jesus knows how it feels when someone is very sick or dies. He cried when his friend Lazarus died.
- Jesus did something amazing at Lazarus's tomb that shows he can give life after death.
- This book retells the story of Lazarus in a way that helps kids understand Jesus's power over death.
- The author, Lauren Chandler, wrote this story to help her kids deal with her husband’s illness.
- The book helps kids feel better about illness and death by teaching them that Jesus promises an end to goodbyes forever.
42. Jesus by Devon Provencher
- This book series explains big ideas from the Bible with simple definitions and pictures, making it easy to understand.
- The books help children learn about important topics like God, creation, humanity, and Jesus.
- It's designed to start important conversations about faith with kids at a young age.
- The series is great for young children but also useful for adults, sparking good discussions.
- Even with minor issues, many people love the series and find it valuable for teaching Christian truths.
43. The Lord’s Prayer by Tim Ladwig
- The book uses The Lord's Prayer to show how ancient words can still matter today.
- Beautiful paintings by Tim Ladwig tell the story of a girl and her dad helping an elderly neighbor.
- The book shows the love between the girl and her dad, similar to God's love for us.
- It helps kids understand important values like kindness and helping others.
- The story is easy for children of all ages to understand and enjoy.
Conclusion
Christian beliefs come from the Bible and the teachings of early church leaders. These beliefs have a lot of history.
A key summary of Christian beliefs is the Apostles' Creed. Many churches respect it.
Christians believe God came to Earth as Jesus. Jesus taught us about God and how to live. His life is an example for Christians.
Jesus was fully God and fully human. He lived without sin. Because he loved the world, he followed God's will completely.
He was wrongly accused, suffered, was nailed to a cross, died, and was buried.
Christians believe his death shows God's love and offers salvation.
I’ve been using some books to teach my children about these beliefs. These Christian children's books are some of my favorites.
They have been great resources for teaching my son about God. I hope you enjoyed reading about them with me.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you in another article. Bye!
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