Picture Books with Christian Principles
- What if Zebras Lost Their Stripes? (John Reitano): God loves everyone; Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake (Laura Numeroff): add goodness to faith, knowledge to goodness, etc. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle): new life; changing forms, put on new self (Colossians 3:9-14)
- The Rainbow Fish (Marcus Pfister): love through sacrifice, sharing (John 15:10-17)
- The Giving Tree (Shel Silverstein): sacrifice of Jesus on cross (Mark 10:43-45)
- The Mitten (Jan Brett): look for lost sheep, take care of others, live in peace together (Luke 15:3-7, Romans 12:9-18)
- You Are Special (Max Lucado): different standards in God’s world, forgiven and loved by God (Romans 8:1-4)
- I’m Not a Scaredy Cat (Max Lucado): no fear with God (Philippians 4:6-9)
- Love You Forever (Robert Munsch): God loves you always, beloved child of God (Romans 8:17, 1 John 4:7-12)
- Runaway Bunny (Margaret Wise Brown): lost sheep, Prodigal Son, God’s unending love, God pursues us, child of God (Luke 15:3-7, Luke 15:11-32)
- Have you Filled a Bucket Today? (Carol McCloud): love your neighbor, Fruit of the Spirit, do good to others (Galatians 5:21-22, Galatians 6:9-10)
- Oh, The Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss): finding God’s will, set an example for others, do everything in the name of Jesus (Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:15-171, 1 Timothy 4:12)
- The Bad Mood and the Stick (Lemony Snicket): shift your focus (Philippians 4:6-8), slow to anger (James 1:19-20)
- The Dark (Lemony Snicket): light of the world (Matthew 6:14-16)
- Chrysanthemum (Kevin Henkes): self-love, self-esteem (Matthew 10:28-30)
- It Will Be Okay (Lysa TerKeurst): Kingdom of God grows, trust God, God cares for us, God’s purpose for us (Mark 4:26-28, Romans 8:28)
- Berenstain Bears (Stan and Jan Berenstain, Mike Berenstain): The books in this series are centered around values and morals, and some are overtly Christian.
Easter (Resurrection Sunday):
- What is Easter? (Michelle Medlock Adams) resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-28 )
- The Flowering Cross (Beth Ryan): cross symbolizes death, flowers symbolize life, love your neighbor, tell others about Jesus (Romans 6:6-11, Romans 10:9-15)
- Christmas in the Manger (Nola Buck): What a sweet board book to explain the birth of Baby Jesus!
- The Crippled Lamb (Max Lucado): This book tells the birth narrative of Jesus from the viewpoint of a sweet little lamb named Joshua, who doesn’t quite fit in until his purpose is made known.
For Older Children:
- Case for Faith for Kids (Lee Stroebel): defending faith, apologetics (1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Case for a Creator for Kids (Lee Stroebel): creation (1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew (Ellen Notbohm): This book was given to me by some family friends who have a daughter with Autism. It is a fantastic book which helps give a glimpse into the mind of someone with Autism. It has excellent suggestions and practical tools.
- Helping Children Grieve When Someone They Love Dies (Theresa M. Huntley): This book explains how children understand death at various ages and developmental stages. It explains the stages of grieving and provides tools for adults to help children through the grieving process.
- Boundaries with Kids (Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend): The Boundaries books are all great. This one helps parents and teachers navigate their roles and those of the children they rear. It explains why boundaries are important and tells parents the appropriateness of boundaries with children.
- Parenting with Love and Logic (Foster W. Cline, MD, Jim Fay): This book helps parents teach their children that all behaviors have consequences. Some are pleasant and some are unpleasant. The book equips parents to teach responsibility through natural consequences.
- The Bible Story Handbook (John H. Walton, Kim E. Walton): This book has many popular Bible stories represented. It includes background information, summary of the passages, explains what the author likely meant, and cautions teachers about commonly taught (although incorrect) things.
- Teaching with Love and Logic (Jim Fay, David Funk): This book takes some responsibility from the adult and places appropriate responsibility on the student. Consequences are logical, with the intent that students make more appropriate choices in the future.
Theological Picture Books for Children:
As a parent, have you ever wondered how to explain who God is to children? Dr. William Lane Craig, who hosts the Reasonable Faith podcast, is a professor of philosophy and theology who has written over 40 books for adults. Now he has translated his extensive knowledge to words and descriptions that children can understand. What a great book series!
- What Is God Like?: God is All-Knowing
- What Is God Like?: God is All-Powerful
- What Is God Like?: God is Everywhere
- What Is God Like?: God is Self-Sufficient
- What Is God Like?: God is All-Powerful
- What Is God Like?: God is All-Good
- What Is God Like?: God is All-Loving
- What Is God Like?: God is Forever
- What Is God Like?: The Greatness of God
- What Is God Like?: God is Spirit
- What Is God Like?: God is Three Persons