Easter Picture Books for Kids (Faith-Filled & Beautifully Told)
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What a joy it is to celebrate Easter!
Christmas rightly captures so much of our attention each year — the anticipation, the traditions, the beauty of celebrating Christ’s birth.
But Easter is the joy of the resurrection! It is the hope we carry every day because of Jesus’ death, resurrection and victory over sin. And it is so worth preparing and slowing down for and celebrating as a family.
One of the simplest ways we do that in our home is by filling our shelves with beautiful, faith-filled Easter picture books. Stories have a way of helping little hearts grasp big truths — and reading together helps us teach them these important, core truths!
Below you’ll find some of my favorite Easter picture books for kids. I’ve divided them loosely by age, but truly — I still read board books to my seven-year-old, and my two-year-old happily sits in on picture books (and even chapter books) that might be “above” his level.
Prefer to shop? See my full list on Amazon.
How We Use Easter Books in Our Home
Each year, I rotate our Easter picture books out at the beginning of Lent and place them in a simple basket in our living room. Even reading one book each evening during Holy Week creates meaningful conversations and helps slow the season in a way that feels intentional.
It’s a small rhythm but it keeps the focus on the resurrection story rather than bunnies and eggs.
And I always love putting at least one Easter book in my kids’ Easter baskets!
If you’re also building Easter baskets this year, you can find my curated Easter basket ideas here.
Easter Books for Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0–4)
For babies and toddlers, Easter books are all about approachable language, sturdy pages, and beautiful illustrations that begin to plant the seeds of the resurrection story. These books are perfect for little hands and short attention spans — but still rich with truth.
Holy Week by Danielle Hitchen
A simple and sturdy board book introducing little ones to the events of Holy Week. Framed as an emotions primer, this one walks littles through the feelings that carried the disciples and Jesus through Palm Sunday and Easter morning.
God Came Near To Me by Kristen Wetherell
I love this series from Kristen and this board book focuses on the incarnation of Christ. With a lift-the-flap surprise at the end.
Easter Is Coming by Tama Fortner
A short and approachable introduction to the Easter story that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Building anticipation with the repetition of “Easter is coming!” this delightfully illustrated book helps little hearts grasp the joy of the resurrection.
Jesus Rose For Me by Jared Kennedy
A sweet, rhyming board book that clearly explains why Jesus died and rose again. Especially meaningful for young children who are just beginning to understand that Easter is about more than eggs and candy.
A Very Happy Easter by Tim Thornborough
A fun and interactive story, your little ones will be completely engaged learning about the emotions and practicing facial expressions as they learn about the Easter story.
The Most Glorious Easter Morning by Harvest House Publishers
Part of the Bible Infographics for Little Ones series, this creative board book retells the events of Jesus’s final days and resurrection with poetic language, engaging illustrations, and fascinating faith-building facts for young readers.
What’s The Good News? by Lauren Groves
This question-and-answer style board book introduces toddlers to the basics of the gospel—sin, forgiveness, and Jesus’s saving work—using simple language and bright illustrations that help little ones begin understanding big theological truths.
That Quiet Crazy Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord
This joyful, rhyming story imagines all of creation celebrating the risen King, inviting children to follow the Easter story and join in proclaiming the good news that Jesus is alive.
*God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren
This story follows Little Cub and Papa Bear as they discuss the meaning of Easter and how God’s love is demonstrated to us through the Easter story.
*Some Christians choose not to recommend this book because its language around sin is less direct (using phrases like “didn’t believe in him,” “bad choices,” and “broke their promises”) and it includes encouragement to “listen” when praying, which some say reflects a more subjective view of hearing from God apart from Scripture. While I understand those critiques and agree that the book can feel a bit wordy in places, it’s a well-loved title for many families, so I wanted to include it here while sharing these considerations. Honestly, this one isn’t my personal favorite Easter book, as Jesus’ death and resurrection are not presented as clearly as in many of the others above; however, it can still open the door to meaningful conversations about the gospel with young children. As with many children’s books, if you choose to read this one, it can provide a starting point for deeper conversations.
If you’re also looking for ways to prepare your family during Lent, you can find my favorite Lent resources here.
Easter Books for Ages 4–8
Preschoolers and early elementary children are ready for a fuller retelling of the Easter story. At this age, children begin connecting the events of Holy Week and asking thoughtful questions. These Easter picture books balance theological depth with warmth, helping young children understand why the resurrection matters.
The Good News of Easter by Rousseaux Brasseur
A recent favorite in our family, the rhyming text and beautiful illustrations make this one a must-have for Easter.
The Donkey Who Carried A King by R.C. Sproul
Told from the perspective of the humble donkey who carried Jesus into Jerusalem, this imaginative story uniquely introduces children to the events of Holy Week.
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton
A well-loved Easter book that connects the story of the Bible—from Eden to the resurrection—showing how Jesus opened the way for us to be with God.
The Boy from the House of Bread by Andrew Wilson
Told through the eyes of a young boy, this imaginative story follows his encounters with Jesus’ miracles—from multiplied loaves to walking on water—helping children see why Jesus calls Himself is the Bread of Life.
Empty by Joshua Cooley
With humor and vivid illustrations, this clever picture book explores things that are terrible when empty before revealing the greatest “good empty” in history—the empty tomb that changed the world.
The Friends and the Traveller by Sam Brewster
A retelling of the Emmaus road story that helps children see how the risen Jesus revealed Himself to His followers after the resurrection.
A Wonderful Surprise by Sally Michael
This paperback picture book walks preschoolers through Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, death, and resurrection while helping them memorize Luke 19:38 and understand that Jesus is the King who came to save us.
The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
This beloved allegorical story follows three trees with big dreams that are unexpectedly fulfilled through the life of Jesus—beautifully illustrating how God’s plans are greater than our own and ultimately point to the cross and resurrection.
The Day The Earth Shook by Helen Buckley
This story invites children into the drama of Easter morning, describing the events surrounding the resurrection in an engaging and memorable way.
The Topsy Turvy King by Alison Brewster
This imaginative story helps children understand the surprising way Jesus became king—through humility, sacrifice, and ultimately the victory of the resurrection.
R is For Risen by Crystal Bowman
An engaging alphabet-style book that introduces young readers to key words and themes connected to the Easter story.
The Story of Easter by Carl Laferton
Taken from the God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook, these 8 stories walk through Holy Week, Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Just As He Said by Sam Brewster
Through rhythmic storytelling and colorful illustrations, this book walks children through miracles like the healing of the paralyzed man, the calming of the storm, the raising of Lazarus, and ultimately Jesus’s own death and resurrection—showing that everything Jesus says always comes true.
That Holy Week So Long Ago by Matthew Boswell
Through ten beautifully written poems, Matthew Boswell walks children day-by-day through Holy Week—from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday—helping them see the meaning and movement of the Easter story. A wonderful book to read leading up to Easter.
Easter Activities by Martin Young
This Easter-themed activity book combines puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, and games with a simple retelling of the Easter story, giving kids a fun way to engage with the message of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Easter Fun Sticker and Activity Book by Jan Berenstain
A playful activity book filled with stickers, puzzles, and Easter-themed fun that younger children will enjoy alongside Easter story reading.
Less Explicitly Easter (But Perfect for the Season)
These books may be as overtly “Easter” focused — but they still tell the Easter story in a little different way. These stories feel perfectly suited for Easter baskets or springtime reading.
The Dragon Slayer and His Super Special Suit by Kyle Worley
This imaginative story presents Jesus as the ultimate dragon slayer who defeats sin and death and, after His resurrection and ascension, gives us His Spirit so we can put on the armor of God and live courageously as part of His kingdom.
Spring Sings by Ellie Holcomb
Through lyrical rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this gentle springtime story celebrates new life in nature while pointing children to the deeper hope and renewal found in the resurrection of Jesus.
Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler
This theologically rich story helps children understand that because Jesus rose from the dead, death does not have the final word and one day all goodbyes will be undone.
The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep by Hannah E. Harrison
This one tells the story of a shepherd who lovingly pursues a wandering sheep, showing patience, care, and restoration. While it doesn’t focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection like a typical Easter book, its themes of God’s loving pursuit and redemption beautifully echo the heart of Easter. Illustrations are dreamy!
I hope this list helps you build a small collection of Easter books that point your children to the true joy of the season — the death and resurrection of Jesus and the hope we have because of Him. Whether you read them throughout Lent, during Holy Week, or tucked into an Easter basket, these stories can help turn our hearts toward the greatest news the world has ever heard.
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