17 Best Easter Read Alouds for Kids: Christ Centered Books
Updated on March 10, 2025
Easter Read Alouds for Kids. This book list is full of our favorite Easter Read Alouds that are theologically sound with beautiful illustrations. These picture books help to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Welcome Easter with a beautifully sound story from this list of Easter Books For Kids!
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17 Best Easter Read Alouds for Kids: A Christ-Centered Collection
1. The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross by Carl Lafterton
The presentation of the gospel is so simple and powerful in this beautifully illustrated book. I highly recommend this book not just for the Easter season but for all year. It is an illustrated overview of the bible from the garden to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This is a lovely folktale about three trees growing and dreaming on the hillside together. Each tree has a dream to be something important. One day three woodcutters climb the hill. The trees are chopped down and collected for different purposes. The first becomes a manger for animals which one day holds “the greatest treasure of the world.” The second tree becomes a fishing vessel that carries Jesus when he calms the storm. The third tree becomes the cross upon which Jesus is crucified. This is a great book for Easter story time.
3. That Grand Easter Day! by Jill Roman Lord
This Easter book narrates the story of Christ’s Resurrection in a rhyme that unfolds verse by verse, mirroring the structure of the well-known nursery rhyme, “The House that Jack Built.” The verses build upon each other and have a repetitive pattern great for little readers who thrive on predictability.
4. The Donkey Who Carried a King by R. C. Sproul
The tale begins with a young boy feeling upset as he is always chosen last by his friends during games. His Grandpa offers a new perspective by sharing a story about a donkey that carried a king. A young donkey named Davey felt bored because he was never given any significant tasks. One day, Davey was chosen for a special duty to carry King Jesus into Jerusalem. Davey felt proud and believed he should only be assigned important tasks, becoming disgruntled with everyday chores from his master. However, witnessing angry people forcing Jesus to carry a heavy beam changed Davey’s view on servitude on that terrible day.
5. The Good News of Easter by Rousseaux Brasseur
This is a stunning book. Both text and art do an excellent job of sharing the story of Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension. From the triumphal entry to the great commission before His ascension, the gospel is presented.
“But the whole of His story has more grace and glory than a world full of books could contain, Yet these things are written so that you might believe and receive eternal life in His name!”
6. A Wonderful Surprise by Sally Michael
“But Jesus is stronger than rocks and soldiers. And Jesus is stronger than sin and death. Nothing can stop King Jesus!”
The bright illustartions are inviting, with splashes of whimsy sprinkled throughout. The text is engaging and rich, pointing of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. This book is a great resource to facilitate memorization of Scripture. The text is repetitive and engaging, and the illustrations spark interest.
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Luke 19:19:37a
7. A Very Happy Easter by Tim Thornborough
In this retelling of the Easter story, the tale is interactive as children are instructed to copy the expressions. They learn that when Jesus died and rose again, His friends experienced fear, sadness, surprise, and joy.
8. Easter is Coming! by Tama Fortner
In this sweet retelling, a mother shares the biblical Easter story with her children. She recounts the poignant events of betrayal, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, always emphasizing the hopeful message, “But Easter is coming!”
9. Holy Week: An Emotions Primer
This board book introduces young children to many emotions as they follow Jesus through Holy Week. The illustrations are bright and bold. This is a primer, which means the book focuses on teaching children about one subject, in this case, its emotions such as joy, anger, sadness, and fear.
10. The Friends and the Traveller by Sam Brewster
“Winding along the road to Emmaus, two friends meet a traveller who opens their eyes to a life-changing discovery. Join them on the road as the joy of the first Easter dawns.” – From the Publisher
11. The Day the Earth Shook by Helen Buckley
“On the day the earth shook something amazing happened. The earth quaked. The rocks split. All because someone incredible died. But just who was this man powerful enough to shake the earth, and why did he have to die? The Day the Earth Shook introduces children to ‘super powerful, super strong love in action’ as they discover just why this was the most incredible day in history.” – from the publisher
12. The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs
“Maggie, the farmer’s daughter, can’t wait to unwrap her gift that arrived in the mail. But her delight turns to disappointment when she doesn’t receive a toy or a doll or a game. Instead, she’s gifted a plant bulb. After forgetting to water the plant, Maggie gets frustrated and tosses the bulb outside—where something amazing happens on Easter morning!” – from the publisher
13. The Friend Who Forgives: A True Story About How Peter Fails and Jesus Forgives by Dan DeWitt
“This book points children to Jesus, the friend who will forgive them again and again and again. Peter spent the rest of his life telling people that if they put their trust in Jesus, they could be forgiven too—again and again and again.” – From the publisher
14. The Topsy Turvy King by Alison Brewis
“Jesus says he is God’s King, but his friends are confused. He doesn’t seem like any other kings they’ve seen. He must be a Topsy-Turvy King!” – from the publisher
15. God’s Big Promises: Easter for Little Ones
This Easter board book is perfect for ages 0-3 filled with simple language to introduce young children to the events of Easter. It’s adapted from the storybook bible “God’s Big Promises.”
16. Jesus Rose for Me by Jared Kennedy
This board book is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers to grasp the significance of Easter. It starts with Palm Sunday and concludes with the resurrection of Jesus, highlighting Jesus as our king and that whoever trusts in Him is part of His forever family.
17. Spring Sings by Ellie Holcomb
“Have you ever heard the spectacular song that the earth sings each year when the Spring comes along?”
This is a charming board book with colorful illustrations of a diverse group of children and cheerful animals joining in the song of Spring. While this is not my first choice for a Christ-centered Easter book, it’s a great board book for Springtime that points to Christ’s completed work on the cross.
“Christ died, but He’s risen indeed! And the Spring sings about it, every flower and seed.”
Family Devotionals for the Easter Season
Who is Jesus? 40 Pictures to Share with Your Family by Kate Hox
Darkest Night Brightest Day by Marty Machowski
Interested in More Booklists for Kids: Check These Out!
Favorite Spring Read Alouds for Kids: A Picture Book Collection
Get the complete springtime booklist HERE.
Best Garden Books for Kids: A Picture Book Collection
Get the complete booklist HERE.
Best April Picture Books for Kids: A Monthly Booklist for Kids
Get the complete list of favorite picture books for April Here.
More Booklists Coming Soon!
Thanks for Stopping By!
Lastly, thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share your favorite book on the Easter Aloud Books for Kids Booklist. Did I miss your favorite? Making these booklists with my daughters is always a blast. If you enjoyed this booklist, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list for monthly picture booklists delivered right to your inbox.
HAPPY EASTER!
– With Great Joy, Katie
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