Best Children's Religious Fiction Books
A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation---and at the center of their Story too. “I would urge not just families with young children to get this book, but every Christian–from pew warmers, to ministry leaders, seminarians and even theologians! Sally Lloyd-Jones has captured the heart of what it means to find Christ in all the scriptures, and has made clear even to little children that all God’s revelation has been about Jesus from the beginning–a truth not all that commonly recognized even among the very learned.” – Dr. Timothy Keller, NYC ( Dr. Timothy Keller ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've tried three or four toddler Bibles, but they ranged from the meaningless and banal (Read With Me Bible For Toddlers) to the downright horrifying in their interpretation (The Story For Little Ones). The Jesus Storybook Bible, on the other hand, seeks to show how God's plan of salvation is unfolding through each story, and largely succeeds in doing so. First of all, there are children's Bibles like the Read With Me Bible that are simply bland. Granted, toddlers are not going to pick up on every nuance of a story from the Bible, but the Read With Me Bible often chooses the wrong points to emphasize, entirely leaving out important points of narrative along the way. One story simply lists miracles Jesus did with no context, failing to communicate that Jesus' miracles actually anticipate and begin to realize a new world, a world where God's Kingdom and rule are breaking into the world in a new and exciting way. This simply displays a level of ignorance about the story of Samson that is beyond belief for someone writing (interpreting) a Bible for children! So, for example, the story of the Exodus is told not as the story of God's great magic show, but instead on the great, mighty, and terrifying rescue of God's people from their slavery, pointing forward also to humanity's slavery to sin and coming rescue in Jesus. But again, the strength of this Bible is that it gets the story right, interpreting the main idea correctly and always pointing toward Jesus."
"For someone who may be familiar with the full version of the Bible and may be concerned about teaching children biblical accuracy, this book may be found a bit frustrating. While the illustrations are whimsical and a great accompaniment to the text, and the story language is simple and easy to follow, there are an awful lot of unnecessary additions."
"I personally like the cover because the picture of Jesus, I believe, is more accurate than the traditional image of a "white" Jesus that we usually see."
"Our 8 year old has moved on to more detailed Bible summaries and more just Bible reading, but this book certainly played a large role in the kids falling in love with God's Word."
"We read this during Advent this year and I am disappointed I didn't know of this sooner."
These sweet, sometimes silly rhymes and adorable art are sure to make God Bless You and Good Night a favorite part of the bedtime ritual for parents and children. Hannah C. Hall estimates that she has read approximately 4,500 bedtime stories to her children over the last few years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Highly recommended for very young children or older children to read to younger siblings."
"This was bought as a gift."
"I purchased as an e-book for when the lights are out and my kids still can’t sleep, I can read this to them."
"Very nice bedtime read..."
"Just as expected, happy with purchase."
"Very sweet story with darling pics."
"Gave it to my cousin for her baby shower instead of a card."
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. She makes her messy-but-cozy home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I buy them for my girls and I buy them for all our families gifts as well!"
"Nice story that doesn't point to Santa."
"Very cute Christmas story!"
"Great simple read."
"Wonderful gift."
"really good explanation of Christmas and even explaining the purpose of Santa instead of ignoring it."
"Cute little book an awesome way to explain Christmas to a three-year-old!"
"Adorable book."
Best Children's Buddhist Fiction
Master storyteller Dharmachari Nagaraja offers 18 beautifully illustrated bedtime stories, inspired by the Buddhist folk tradition, for parents to read to their children. Dharmachari Nagaraja was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order in 1993 and is an experienced broadcaster.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"First off the book is a great quality."
"Sometimes the way a lesson is "taught" to a character in the story is through an unkind act (i.e. "I let you see and feel what the little rabbit saw and felt as you hurt it."). I do not think exposing my children (4 and 6 y/o) to this is worthwhile when there are stories that teach virtues without specific ways to be unkind. At the end of most of stories (stopped reading them to my children after a few and skimmed the rest) I didn't feel at peace. The following are just a few examples from the book of dialog that I did not enjoy reading to my children: "You'd forget your own head if it wasn't stuck on" said her mother (to her daughter). "It's just a dumb animal" laughed Hazel "Are you a bit stupid?"
"This is SUCH a great book to read to your kids!"
"The art is beautiful and the stories are fun."
"He's a worrier so these stories help him relax and see the positive things in life."
"This book offers a great way to introduce the practice of Buddhism to young people."
"We love these bed time stories and meditations."
"Awesome stories with practical lessons."
Best Children's Christian Fiction Books
These sweet, sometimes silly rhymes and adorable art are sure to make God Bless You and Good Night a favorite part of the bedtime ritual for parents and children. Hannah C. Hall estimates that she has read approximately 4,500 bedtime stories to her children over the last few years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Highly recommended for very young children or older children to read to younger siblings."
"This was bought as a gift."
"I purchased as an e-book for when the lights are out and my kids still can’t sleep, I can read this to them."
"Very nice bedtime read..."
"Just as expected, happy with purchase."
"Very sweet story with darling pics."
"Gave it to my cousin for her baby shower instead of a card."
Best Children's Hindu Fiction
"Amme Tell Me" is a charming and informative series of children's books that introduces the major Hindu festivals and figures to young readers, and are perfect for families wanting to share stories of Hinduism with their children or for educators looking for resource on the Hindu culture for their students. The idea for the 'Amma, Tell Me' series of books came as a way to introduce her sons to Indian mythology and festivals.When not writing, working or running after her boys, she is happiest curled up with a book and a hot cup of chai.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Had purchased a few other Diwali books and was unhappy with how straightforward the pictures and story was - they would not hold my 3 year-old's attention."
"The illustrations are stunning!"
"It's really hard to find books and other materials that are appropriate for bicultural kids."
"I was concerned that the book itself was paperback and not a hardcover book - though the pages are very thick and sturdy."
"Got for my child."
"I bought it to teach my kids the story of Diwali and it truly did not dissapoint!"
"I just got this to read to my 4 year old."
"Beautifully illustrated book --- colorful backgrounds and characters!"
Best Children's Jewish Fiction Books
This 25th anniversary edition of a now-classic tale relates how Hersehel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Won the Caldecott Award the year it was published!"
"I usually don't like goblins and witches stories or anything scary for that matter and I don't do Halloween, BUT I really enjoyed this book immensely."
"My kids (6 & 9) love this story."
"Loved the beautiful illustrations!"
"Before giving it, I admit—I reread the book, and it definitely holds up even as an adult."
"I am confused by the review that says this book advocates violence as Hershel tricks all of the goblins without physically hurting them (though I suppose he does threaten one of them)."
"I ordered this book to be a part of our Hanukkah unit, and the kids loved the story so much that we read during free time every day through the month of December."
"Great story about an everyday guy who uses his brains and faith to outwit a horrible adversary."
Best Children's Muslim Fiction
Magnificently capturing the colorful world of Islam for the youngest readers, this breathtaking and informative picture book celebrates Islam's beauty and traditions. Hena Khan's first picture book, Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story , was a 2009 Booklist "Top 10 Religion Book for Youth."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My kids love the fact that they are so many Islamic kids books out there "for them" I bought this several times for my kids' friends also."
"The illustrations are beautiful and it's a great easy read to keep children interested."
"My two year old son enjoys looking at all the pictures and images even though he may not fully understand it right now."
"With perfect rhyme and gorgeous illustrations, this book provides a simple introduction to the world of Islam as seen through the eyes of a young narrator."
"I want to raise an open minded child capable of choosing her own beliefs (or lack thereof). To be able to do so I'd have to introduce her to all religions since they've began introducing her without my consent (and against my wishes). This book is a great introduction to Islam for a 5 year old ."
"Fantastic book, my 2 year old loves it."
"This book was purchased to add cultural awareness to my classroom."
"My 2 year old loves this book."
Best Other Children's Religious Fiction
This edition presents the seven books— The Magician's Nephew ; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy ; Prince Caspian ; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader ; The Silver Chair ; and The Last Battle —unabridged and arranged in C. S. Lewis's preferred order. Deceptively simple and direct, The Chronicles of Narnia continue to captivate fans with adventures, characters, and truths that speak to readers of all ages, even fifty years after they were first published.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Also, the book description says "text only", which is strange, because this copy has tons of the original illustrations in full-color (I'll try to post pictures soon)."
"This is a beautiful paperback box set of the Narnia collection, that so many of us grew up with."
"We are living in such tumultuous times with a medieval death squad marching from the middle east slaughtering innocents, we need teach of children that good is worth sacrifice."
"This is a great edition of the series."
"My old copy of the narnia books was so worn and tattered and the binding barely sticking to the duck tape that I set out looking for a new and better copy after 10 years of reading my old copy. I found this beautiful edition that I have wanted for a long time for an awesome price, I paid 22 dollars plus shipping and handling, the book on amazon is described as: The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (text only) by C. S. Lewis."
"The latter provides a glimpse into the evolution of C.S.Lewis' writing, but my nonscholarly interest slacked off quickly."
"Lewis did a very good job writing these stories and used very exciting words. It was about how Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund fell in love with Aslan and became kinds and queens of Narnia.""
"maybe the description stated that and maybe I missed it, I haven't bothered to go back and look, but I would have liked it better as 7 books."
Best Children's Historical Fiction
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family. Meet the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie, who all live in a cozy log cabin in the big woods of Wisconsin in the 1870s. Though many of their neighbors are wolves and panthers and bears, the woods feel like home, thanks to Ma’s homemade cheese and butter and the joyful sounds of Pa’s fiddle. As Laura Ingalls is growing up in a little house in Kansas, Almanzo Wilder lives on a big farm in New York. When Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and baby Grace join him, they become the first settlers in the town of De Smet. With snow piled as high as the rooftops, it’s impossible for trains to deliver supplies, and the townspeople, including Laura and her family, are starving. Laura spends many hours sewing shirts to help Ma and Pa get enough money to send Mary to a college for the blind. The set includes: Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years. In those same woods, Laura lives with Pa and Ma, and her sisters, Mary and Baby Carrie, in a snug little house built of logs. Little House on the Prairie Pa Ingalls decides to sell the little log house, and the family sets out for Indian country! Farmer Boy While Laura Ingalls grows up in a little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. On the Banks of Plum Creek Laura's family's first home in Minnesota is made of sod, but Pa builds a clean new house made of sawed lumber beside Plum Creek. But in the evenings, Laura makes time for a new caller, Almanzo Wilder. And every Friday -- no matter what the weather -- Almanzo Wilder arrives to take Laura home to her family for the weekend. The First Four Years Laura and Almanzo Wilder have just been married!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wouldn't recommend these volumes to those who remember the classic hardcovers with all the quaint drawings from Garth William which are NOT included here."
"my daughter has now asked to have this book re-read to her."
"This book set was a gift for my Granddaughter, it arrived in excellent condition and was exactly what we were looking for."
"Every child should read or be read these beautifully written books. Oh, Pa!)."
"We are enjoying the books."
"Are great to read aloud or as a bedtime story."
"The pages are all smooth sheets with several good pictures scattered throughout the book. The stories that Laura Ingalls Wilder recalls from her childhood are a wonderful lesson to young kids about what life was like in the late 1800s without the existence of electricity or many of the other things that we take for granted in our lives today."
"Simple and Beautiful Frontier Story!"
Best Children's Criticism & Collections
Dr. Seuss's magic elixir may--or may not--prolong life, but it is a fact that it makes you feel a whole lot better! Dr. Seuss’s long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors for McElligot’s Pool , If I Ran the Zoo , and Bartholomew and the Oobleck , the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET (1937). 2.)."
"It is published by Random House and is valued at $20 by the Barcode on the back."
"Some are not Dr. Seuss' more popular and well-known stories but are nevertheless delightful whether you are familiar with Dr. Seuss or not."
"I love that I made the decision to buy this book and that I bought it from this seller."
"My niece loved it."
"I have purchased this book 3 times now."
"It is big which she likes & she enjoys hearing the stories & the rhyming words."
"I bought up a whole series of Seuss to give to my grand daughter over the next few years."
Best Children's Chapter Books & Readers
Teach a child letter sounds with Bob Books Set 1 ! You've prepared your child for reading - refrigerator magnets down low and easy to reach; letter sounds taught. The pride in their eyes, their triumphant grasp of a difficult concept, and opening their world to the excitement of books and reading, has brought me many years of satisfaction. By slowly introducing new letter sounds, using consistency and repetition, and stories that fit short attention spans, your child will quickly find his or her own ah-ha moment.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These books are great."
"These are perfect for kids who are just learning to read."
"Good one for practicing reading for beginners."
"I bought this for my kindergartner and these are super cute and short and easy for him to read on."
"Bob books are great for kids learning to read!"
"He loved to follow the short little stories."
"I got these for my son and he loves them!"
"Started these after failing to get through the 2nd lesson in "Teach Your Child to Read in 100..."."
Best Children's Short Story Collections
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family. Meet the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie, who all live in a cozy log cabin in the big woods of Wisconsin in the 1870s. Though many of their neighbors are wolves and panthers and bears, the woods feel like home, thanks to Ma’s homemade cheese and butter and the joyful sounds of Pa’s fiddle. As Laura Ingalls is growing up in a little house in Kansas, Almanzo Wilder lives on a big farm in New York. When Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and baby Grace join him, they become the first settlers in the town of De Smet. With snow piled as high as the rooftops, it’s impossible for trains to deliver supplies, and the townspeople, including Laura and her family, are starving. Laura spends many hours sewing shirts to help Ma and Pa get enough money to send Mary to a college for the blind. The set includes: Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years. In those same woods, Laura lives with Pa and Ma, and her sisters, Mary and Baby Carrie, in a snug little house built of logs. Little House on the Prairie Pa Ingalls decides to sell the little log house, and the family sets out for Indian country! Farmer Boy While Laura Ingalls grows up in a little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. On the Banks of Plum Creek Laura's family's first home in Minnesota is made of sod, but Pa builds a clean new house made of sawed lumber beside Plum Creek. But in the evenings, Laura makes time for a new caller, Almanzo Wilder. And every Friday -- no matter what the weather -- Almanzo Wilder arrives to take Laura home to her family for the weekend. The First Four Years Laura and Almanzo Wilder have just been married!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wouldn't recommend these volumes to those who remember the classic hardcovers with all the quaint drawings from Garth William which are NOT included here."
"my daughter has now asked to have this book re-read to her."
"This book set was a gift for my Granddaughter, it arrived in excellent condition and was exactly what we were looking for."
"Every child should read or be read these beautifully written books. Oh, Pa!)."
"We are enjoying the books."
"Are great to read aloud or as a bedtime story."
"The pages are all smooth sheets with several good pictures scattered throughout the book. The stories that Laura Ingalls Wilder recalls from her childhood are a wonderful lesson to young kids about what life was like in the late 1800s without the existence of electricity or many of the other things that we take for granted in our lives today."
"Simple and Beautiful Frontier Story!"
Best Children's Poetry
From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. VERDICT A go-to gift for new parents, and a potential bedtime favorite for many children.—Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Purchased this book as a "card" for a baby shower gift from a group."
"There are both boys and girls depicted in the book, but it is a boy having the tea party, a boy using the sewing machine, a girl on the tree swing, and a girl as a superhero. This is one of the first children's books I've ever seen that shows the REALITY of little kids....that boys and girls do all sorts of similar things."
"At the same time, there are so many BEAUTIFUL and good influences in the world as well, like this book, and I truly believe that keeping a steady diet of healthy, positive "mind food" going into a youngster's brain can go a long way in equipping them to counteract the junk that creeps in from time to time. This precious book is such a great tool to help them begin... soft illustrations complementing simple words, a book that encourages a youngster to use his/her imagination and think of all of the possibilities in answering the age old question adults pose to them, "So... what do you want to be when you grow up?""
"Clearly, this book was put together with the utmost love and though."
"I loved it & cried the first time I read it & I still have a hard time not getting emotional when reading it to my, now, nearly two year-old."
"This is such a sweet book."
"I gave this to my 18 month old grandson."
"My grand daughter loves to read and her parents recommended this book."