The Best Easter Picture Books for Christian Families
One thing that really matters to me during the Easter season is keeping Jesus at the center of it all, rather than the Easter bunny. Don’t get me wrong, we still celebrate with baskets on Easter morning, dye Easter eggs for a fun craft, attend an Easter egg hunt, and even enjoy the chocolate bunnies. The kids always get excited about all the Easter activities. I love making it special for them. But more than anything, I want them to know the real reason we celebrate. I want our home to feel different during Holy Week. Slower, intentional, and anchored in the story of Easter. Because Easter Sunday isn’t just another holiday on the calendar, it’s the day we celebrate the victory, the resurrection, the good news. And if I’m not careful, all the extras can become the focus. So every year, I try to remember to point their little hearts to Jesus. For us, it’s in the activity that brings us together, reading aloud. And so I’m sharing our favorite Easter picture books with you!
Why We Read Easter Picture Books Every Year
Reading during the Easter season has become just as much a part of our rhythm as pulling out the Christmas books in December. Books have a magical way of slowing us down. They give us a great way to talk about big things, like the real Easter story of Jesus’s death, sacrifice, forgiveness, and the good news of the resurrection, all in a language that actually makes sense to young children. When we walk through Holy Week intentionally, starting on Palm Sunday, moving toward the cross, and celebrating the joy of Easter Sunday, books can help tie it all together. Because let’s be honest, explaining the story of Easter to a wiggly 5-year-old while a toddler is climbing you is a skill. That’s where beautifully written Bible storybooks and thoughtful picture books become a gift to us as parents, who are all just doing our best.
Our Favorite Children’s Easter Picture Books
Okay, here are the best Easter picture books. The tried-and-true favorites we read year after year.
- The Best Thing About Easter by Christine Harder Tangvald
- The Easter Story by Carol Heyer
- The Story of Easter by Patricia Pingry
- The Very First Easter by Paul Maier
- One Morning in Joseph’s Garden by Barbara Younger
- The Thief Who Stole Heaven by Raymond Arroyo
- The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Hunt
- God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Bergren
- Petook by Tomie dePaola
- The Miracles of Jesus by Tomie dePaola
Shop the full list here.
What Makes a Book a “Favorite” in Our House?
For me, the best Easter picture books check a few boxes:
- They clearly point to the real reason we celebrate.
- They present Jesus’s death honestly but gently.
- They emphasize resurrection and hope.
- The illustrations are beautiful (because I am absolutely influenced by art in a beautiful book).
- They invite meaningful conversation.
If a book leaves space for questions, opens the door to a deeper discussion about grace, forgiveness, sacrifice, love, or kids ask to read it again the next night, it’s a win and a family favorite!
Print the Easter Picture Books List
If you’d like a free printable copy of this Easter Picture Book List, leave your email address below. The list will be sent directly to your inbox. Print and take it to the library or shop online.
How We Use Books During Holy Week
My best advice: don’t overcomplicate this. I literally grab the books, put them in a cute little stack on a table, toss them in a basket, or put them on our bookshelf in our homeschool room. The key is to keep them in whichever room your family spends the most time, and that’s it. No elaborate setup, no themed snacks, no perfect lesson plan. Make them easy to see and easy to grab.
Then we cuddle up on the couch or gather around on the rug in our school room and read together. If someone has a question, I stop. We talk about it. Sometimes their questions lead us straight to the Bible, so we go look it up and read the actual Scripture together. Those little rabbit trails? They’re usually the best part. Trust me on this one.
And because I know little hands need to move (especially with younger kids), I keep it simple there too. I’ll have playdough nearby, magnetic tiles on the floor, or some coloring pages ready.
As moms, we overcomplicate everything. We think it has to be this big, beautiful production to “count.” But it really doesn’t. Simply putting good books where your kids can reach them and taking the time to sit and read together makes a bigger impact than we’ll probably ever realize. It’s the small, faithful, everyday moments that stick.
Building a Home Library That Points to Truth
Over the last few years, especially with homeschooling, I’ve been building our home library. One of my absolute favorite things to do is to go thrift shopping for books. And I’m a big believer that your home library shapes your family culture. Our shelves hold silly stories, adventure, and imagination. But they also hold many picture Bible stories, books of Jesus’ miracles, and the stories of saints, all of which anchor our faith. I know someday they’ll remember the stacks of books all over the house and the ones that they loved, that brought them closer to God. Do not pass up an online shopping trip to ThriftBooks. This is one of my favorite ways to purchase books for our home library. Sign up for their rewards program and start earning today!
We Still Visit the Local Library
Even though we have our staples, I still take the kids to the local library to browse the Easter section. Sometimes we find new books that become instant favorites. Sometimes we grab a stack and half of them are in the “return immediately” pile. But it’s a low-pressure way to explore before adding anything permanently to our home library. And occasionally, we discover a great book that I “add to cart” instantly. I’m all about curating slowly and intentionally. Not every seasonal book needs to live at your house forever.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of our favorite Easter picture books. If you already have favorite books that your kids ask for every single year, comment and let me know. I’m always open to discovering new books that faithfully and gently tell the story. Because at the end of the day, this is what we want our kids to know: the real reason, to understand the true meaning of Easter, and to know the good news. I believe starting with a simple stack of Easter books (the Bible being the first one) can get us there.
Happy reading!
Don’t miss these other Easter posts!
40+ Clutter-Free Easter Basket Ideas for Kids – If you’re tired of Easter baskets filled with junk that gets tossed by May, this post is for you! It’s packed with simple and practical ideas that won’t overwhelm your home.
DIY Resurrection Eggs with Free Printable – These are a great addition to this time of year! Inside each egg is a small printed object that represents part of the Easter story. It’s a fun way to walk through Holy Week visually. These are also great for younger children who need something tangible to hold. Open one egg a day leading up to Easter day and read the corresponding scripture card that’s included.
The Best Easter Basket Ideas for 1-Year-Old Girls – Simple, practical, and age-appropriate. It’s all about keeping it meaningful, minimal, and fun for that precious toddler stage.
Christ-Centered Easter Activities for Kids (Free Printables) – Keep the focus on Jesus this Easter, with Christ-centered activities your kids will actually enjoy!
Free Printable Resurrection Story Activity for Kids – A simple way to walk your kids through the Easter story. It helps children understand what happened in a hands-on, age-appropriate way. Print and create!
Easter Game Printable Bundle – Grab this printable Easter-themed bundle for fun, engaging Jesus-centered activities.
