As Easter displays spring up to replace Valentine ones that came down a couple of weeks ago, I love to start meandering through bookstores to peruse children’s books for Easter on the holiday table. I’m always on the lookout for those special Easter picture books to give to my grandchildren when we get together to celebrate. While candy and Easter egg hunts will always be a big hit with our kids, a good Easter book can add something much more meaningful to their Easter experience and provide enjoyment from year to year as well.
So in case you’re trying to find that extra-special Easter book too, here’s a list I’ve put together of my ten favorites.
The Bunny Side of Easter by Linda W. Rooks, illustrated by Marilee Harrold Pilz. An exciting adventure about an ordinary rabbit whose act of heroism makes him the Easter bunny and the rabbit on the moon. Lost in a forest on Easter eve, a mischievous rabbit, a plucky duck and a playful monkey face a fearsome tiger. Through bits of allegory and the heroism of the bunny, children discover the love and sacrifice of what the Easter story is all about, pointing them to Jesus as the biggest hero of all. For ages 5 – 8.
The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Wahlburg. Story of a boy whose sister is sick with scarlet fever. He has to stay with other people on Good Friday, and he’s worried she will die. He asks about the Easter egg and hears the story of the resurrection and how the egg reminds us of how Jesus broke free from the tomb of death just like the chick breaks free of the egg. Last page has traditions and symbols of Lent and Easter. For children ages 4 – 7
The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier, Illustrated by Frank Ordaz.
Beautiful illustrations accompany a child-friendly telling of the actual story of Easter. As a child listens to the Easter story, he asks some difficult questions which are answered by the story-teller to enhance a child’s understanding of Easter. For family reading or religious education. For ages 5 – 10
The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt. Three trees dream of what they will someday become – a holder of treasure, a fine ship, and a hilltop beacon pointing to God. As the years pass they are disappointed when life doesn’t turn out the way they hoped. But in a surprising way, their dreams do come true, although not in the way they expected, and God’s plan unfolds in a beautiful way. Told as a folktale about three trees. For ages 9 and over.
God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Illusrated by Laura J. Bryant. Little cub is stunned to hear her Papa say that Easter is even better than Christmas. On a walk, Papa Bear uses an Easter egg, an uprooted tree, and evidence of new life in a pinecone to tell the Easter story of how Jesus was the root of Jesse who came to die and to rise again so that we would have the chance to go to heaven, where we will see Him face-to-face. For ages 3 – 7.
The Berenstein Bears and the Real Easter Eggs by Stan Berenstein and Jan Berenstein. Brother and Sister go on an Easter egg hunt and find a nest of hatching eggs. They are thrilled at seeing “the wonder of Easter and the message of new life.” For ages 4 – 7.
The Sparkle Egg by Jill Hardle, Illustrated by Christine Komacki. On Easter morning, Sam feels guilty even though he’s been forgiven by his parents. When he opens his Sparkle Egg expecting a surprise, Sam finds it empty. His parents explain that the emptiness of the egg represents the emptiness of the tomb that first Easter day. Because Jesus died and rose again and left an empty tomb, we are forgiven. And so is Sam. Sam realizes that letting God’s gift of grace into our hearts allows us to sparkle and shine with God’s light.
The Best Thing About Easter by Christine Harder Tangvold. Talks about all the fun things about Easter and concludes by showing how Jesus is the best thing of all. Good at bringing the Easter story down to a child’s level of understanding. For ages 4 and up.
My Very First Easter by Juliet David, Illustrated by Helen Prole. Tells the story of Jesus from Palm Sunday through Easter day. This is part of the Candle Bible for Toddlers series and pairs simple text with bright and friendly illustrations to teach the very young about Jesus’ death and resurrection–perhaps for the first time. Ages 3 – 5
My Easter Basket: and the True Story of Easter, a board book by Mary Manz Simon. The colors in the Easter basket remind the child reading this book of different parts of the story of Jesus and Easter. Features a rhyming format, bright colors, glitter art, and a die-cut shape. Ages 4 and up
As you make your plans to celebrate Easter this year, don’t forget to include some good Easter picture books for children in your kids’ Easter baskets to add special meaning to their understanding of what the day is all about.
To add some extra special fun to your Easter plans with the children, visit Bunny Side of Easter on Facebook. You’ll find craft ideas for the kids, recipes, party ideas, decorations, stories, and more.
For more information, visit http://bunnysideofeaster.com
What book are you putting in your child’s Easter basket this year?
Happy Easter to you and your family!
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