I know I’ve mentioned some of our favorite Resurrection Day/Easter books in the past few weeks. I know I’ve even blogged about some of them over the years. But as I was looking through my archives, they were not all put together in one nice spot. Until today! If you’re looking for some books that tell the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, you have come to the right place!
Holy Week Stories
The Friend Who Forgives by Dan Dewitt // This is really the story of Peter and Jesus. Peter follows Jesus, then denies him 3 times. It ends with his breakfast with Jesus on the beach. (Perfect for day 6 of Sense of the Resurrection!)
**The Easter Story by Tracy Harrast // I love this cartoon-ish retelling of Holy Week. Lots of fun flaps to lift and a long-distance, non-scary picture of the cross.
*The Miracle Man by John Hendrix // This is my new favorite book about Jesus. The illustrations are so gorgeous and detailed. This story covers not just Holy Week but also some of Jesus’ ministry. The ending doesn’t have a big explanation about Jesus’ resurrection or anything–but the power of Jesus speaks loudly through the illustrations and story.
*Journey, Easter Journey! by Dandi Daley Mackall is one of my favorite authors. This book is similar to her Thanksgiving book in that it is a rhyme with a repeated phrase. This book is super cool to me because it begins with Christmas and even includes Jesus trip to Egypt as a baby! The illustrations are a little weird to me but I really like the story and rhyme.
The Very First Easter by Paul Maier // A detailed book told between a parent and child, you can read our full review here.
*Benjamin’s Box by Melody Carlson // A fictional account of a little boy who follows Jesus during Holy Week and picks up treasures to remind him of each event along the way. It’s a bit long and probably better for elementary kids but it is PERFECT to go along with Resurrection Eggs.
*Easter In The Garden by Pamela Kennedy // This is one of my favorites. The illustrations are adorable, the story is sweet, serious and funny. It’s another one that is a fictional story based during the true story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It’s told from a child’s perspective and doesn’t even include Jesus on the cross in the illustrations.
The Donkey Who Carried a King by RC Sproul // This one has cool illustrations and is a great Palm Sunday story. Although I think the trope of animals telling the story of Jesus is a bit overused, my kids liked this one.
Easter, Easter Almost Here! by Kathleen Long Bostrom // This is a Palm Sunday book and I am bummed because I cannot find the book this year! It’s a fun board book told in rhyme with some modern, sparkly illustrations. This is a great one for littles–and one you’ll be able to quote after a few times through!
The Legend of the Three Trees by Dahl Taylor // This is a Christmas AND Easter book which is why I love it. It’s a beautiful story about 3 trees who want to do big things and really make a difference in the world–as a treasure box, a king’s royal ship and a sign to God. Their dreams turn out differently when they become a manger, a fishing boat and a cross. (There are several versions of this book. I have the one above and this one from one of my favorite authors, Angela Hunt. And this one looks nice, too.)
Bible Storybooks That Include the Death & Resurrection
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones // My favorite Bible storybook. The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is whispered throughout this book. But the actual story covers 5 chapters and each is wonderful.
See With Me Bible illustrated by Dennis Jones // Asa has read this for naps and bedtimes every single day for the past 6 nights. He says, “I know which story I want to read. Jesus dying on the cross.” He LOVES this book. You will appreciate the detail the illustrator has put into cartoon pictures!
Hear Me Read Bible by Dr. Mary Manz Simon // When Asa was in 1st grade, he read this as a personal devotional, then would draw a picture about something he read. The 18 stories included are told in less than 25 words including Jesus at the tomb and Jesus with his disciples after his resurrection–but no cross story. So, there’s nothing “scary” at all. You can see the inside of this book here–and see the easy words.
Modern Stories about Easter Sunday
*The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs // A sweet story of a little girl who learns about death and new life because of a lily. Lovely.
*The Story of the Easter Robin by Dandi Daley Mackall // This one is kind of a hard one for little kids because it’s a folktale within the real Easter story. It does have a pretty realistic picture of Jesus with the crown of thorns. I still like it because the whole folktale part of the story is sweet.
*Bunny’s First Spring by Sally Lloyd Jones // A bunny learns about the death of winter and the life of spring. Gorgeous for introducing the concept to your children.
*What is Easter? by Phil Vischer // See my full review about this great book from Veggie Tales founder, Phil Vischer.
God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren // Part of Lisa Tawn Bergren’s famous “God Gave Us…” series about a family of polar bears who learn and talk about God. Really good conversation starters.
Easter Movies
OK, these aren’t books, but still so good and tell the story in such great ways!
God Rocks Bibletoons: Rez, the Rock That Rolled (this is out of print but it’s pretty cheap on Amazon!)
The Jesus Movie (this is free on Amazon Prime!)
Superbook: He is Risen! (looks like you can watch all of Superbook’s videos for free online! Or maybe most of them…cool!!)
Lent & Easter Devotionals
*The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton // This isn’t a devotional, per se–it’s still a picture book. But it’s is full of great teaching and beautiful, whimsical illustrations about sin, the Holy of Holies and the Cross. Must read!
*Amon’s Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide // Fictional story of a boy in Jerusalem during Holy Week. Twenty-eight chapters filled with action and cliff-hangers really make it a great bedtime read for older elementary kids.
A Sense of the Resurrection by Amanda White (that’s me!) // 12 activities to help you and your kids experience the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection by using your five senses.
Grab some of these great books at your local library or tuck them into an Easter Basket this year!
Rebecca says
Sweet list – I need to purchase a few of those…Thank you, Amanda!
AmyG says
We are reading the Story Book Bible this week & The Legend of the Three Trees. We love that book, so much room for discussion! Last night, we read another book, The Very First Easter. It’s from Zondervan, various author’s. I really liked the break down of the story of Easter & has scriptures to go over, as well. Thanks for this list!!
ohAmanda says
I know, I love the Legend of the 3 Trees!
I need to get the Very First Easter! 🙂
Hope you’re doing well, Amy! 🙂
Thayer says
We love Benjamin’s Box.
Jenna says
Not Easter but Palm Sunday, have you read or have an opinion about R C Sproul’s new book? I was thinking about ordering it but haven’t read it yet.
Dani says
Another one that I like is My Easter Basket which goes through the different colors that represent different parts of the Easter Story.
oh amanda says
Thanks, Dani! I’ll check it out!
a
Jacki R says
Amanda–you feel like a friend to me! Our family is loving the “Sense of the Resurrection.” I love Easter, and it has been such fun to find a blog that seems to speak my heart, and echo my desire to impress my kids. Thanks for your ministry to me this Easter season. Yesterday we put our nail marks on our hands, and my daughter just had to put them on her feet too. And today, we had major thunderstorms, and tornados (in Dallas area)…and my kids and I read the story of the darkness, and earthquake after Jesus’s death from our bathtub. It was real life experience. Every story and sense has left an impression. Thank you!
oh amanda says
Awesome, Jaki! I love love love that you made the story real to them in that experience!
Thank you for your sweet comment, friend!
a
Steph says
These are great; I’ve been looking for Easter books that focus on more than bunnies and eggs. Thanks!
Heather @ Cultivated Lives says
I love Easter Eggs for Anya. I love how the girl has a special ‘praying place’ as I had one when I was a girl and would go there to have intimate talks with Jesus.
I love the illustrations in “On that Easter Morning” and also love the Arch book, “Grandfather’s Story” which ties in the birth of Christ to the death and Resurrection!
And of course, The Tale of the Three Tree’s is a favorite around here!
Allyson @ A Heart for Home says
We just found an older copy of this book at Goodwill last week. It’s called The Best Thing About Easter and our kids really liked it. It talks about Easter eggs, candy, and getting dressed up for church on Easter Sunday, but then tells how those aren’t the best parts of Easter. The ending is just so sweet. My favorite line says, “but Jesus did not stay dead. Oh, no he did not!”
The newer version has different illustrations that I don’t like as much, but the story is the same.