Two new books have arrived on our doorstep. Two new Easter books! I’m always on the lookout for new books that discuss the death and resurrection of Jesus because I feel like there just aren’t enough (or enough good ones) out there.
When Lydia was 1 year old, I went to the Christian bookstore to get a book for her about Easter and was shocked at how there was NOTHING. It was like 3 books and all of them were about bunnies and baskets with Jesus thrown in at the end. Since then, I have found some that I genuinely like that do discuss Jesus in a way I think is age-appropriate and interesting.
Anywhoo. At Christmas, Phil Vischer released a new picture book called Why Do We Call It Christmas? and I loved it. Honestly, I think it’s the best book if you are unsure about what to do with the whole Santa story. You can read my full review over at Truth in the Tinsel.
So, when I saw that Phil also released a What Is Easter? book, I was so excited!
As with the Christmas book, Buck Denver and Marcie are confused as to what Easter is about. Easter is about bunnies and eggs, right? How could it be about Jesus, too? The Sunday School Lady saves the day with her magic flannel graph (you really need to watch the DVDs if you don’t know these funny characters!) and brings them to one main point:
WINTER.
Winter? In an Easter book?
Just as we have to get through the dead, cold, barren winter to get to the new life of Spring, we had to go through the death of Jesus (yes, death on a cross!) to get to the new life of Jesus. This is exactly my same thoughts on why we should talk about the hard parts of the Easter story with our kids.
You can’t just say, “Jesus is alive!” without knowing that he died first. There’s no miracle otherwise. Phil shows this masterfully without a gruesome (or even cartoonish) death on the cross picture.
The rest of the book then talks about the new life of Spring with bunnies and eggs and how yes, they can be great reminders of Jesus’ new life.
I didn’t love the book as much as the Christmas book, but I so appreciate the candor and the purposefulness. Bunnies and eggs and spring= new life. That’s a message I want my kids to know–when they see the baskets and bunnies and eggs at Wal-Mart, I want them to think, “New life with Jesus!”
If you’re looking for a great Easter basket gift, I think What is Easter? is perfect. Especially if you couple it with the What’s In the Bible Volume 10 which is THE BEST depiction and explanation of Jesus’ death and resurrection ever.
Oh, and for all you who were really paying attention, yes, I did say I got TWO new books. The second book will have it’s own post later this week! Stay tuned!
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Amanda Wheeler says
What age is this appropriate for?
oh amanda says
It’s definitely a kids’ picture book–so all ages!
a
Lauren says
Do You still do a spring party with your kids?
ohAmanda says
We haven’t done one in the last couple of years. Altho’ we do not do Easter baskets on Easter weekend. We do those earlier in the season–so it’s a mini-Spring party! 😉
a