Kids are professional learners. They learn from teachers at school, from friends in the neighborhood, and from multiple forms of media vying for their attention.
If you’re a parent trying to help your school-aged kids learn what is really important, we’ve compiled a list of Christian books that can help. These books all come recommended by our Kids’ Ministry team, and are generally written for elementary-aged kids. (You can see our list of books for preschoolers here.) Whether you read them to your kids or let your now-literate children read for themselves, these are books that will keep their interest while conveying important truths about God.
Best Christian Books for Kids:
- Bible Infographics for Kids by Harvest House Publishers – Help get your kids interested in the Bible with these fun facts and helpful illustrations of important people and events. There’s also a Volume 2 and a hands-on Activity Book available.
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung – Young children initially learn about the Bible as a collection of stories: Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, etc. However, these smaller stories are all just parts of the one big story about how God redeems His people. The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden shows kids how the different stories in the Bible tie together.
- The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis – These seven chapter books are fantasy fiction, but theologian C.S. Lewis incorporated many Christian themes and parallels. With some further reflection and discussion, these entertaining stories can help readers gain insights into God, sin, creation, crucifixion, and final judgment.
- The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski – This book presents the Bible as a collection of 156 stories, showing how every single story relates to the gospel of Jesus. It includes illustrations and discussion questions for each story.
- How Great is our God and Indescribable by Louie Giglio – These two books are perfect for any kids who love science and nature. Each one includes 100 devotionals showing how God is the God of science. He created everything in the world, from the smallest of insects to the most distant star.
- It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst - There are many changes that can come with growing up: starting school, moving to a new home, gaining a sibling, etc. It Will Be Okay is a picture book helps anxious kids understand that they can trust God in the midst of fear and change.
- Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor – John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress is a classic that often makes its way onto book lists for adults, and is required reading for people in the Watermark Institute. Little Pilgrim’s Progress adapts the story for kids 8-12 years old, letting them follow little Christian and Christiana on their long and difficult journey toward the Celestial City.
- The Ology by Marty Machowski – Think kids can’t understand theology? Try The Ology, which uses pictures and analogies to help break down deep theological concepts and make them accessible to kids in grade school.
- Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones – This illustrated devotional for kids walks through how God views us and loves us. The 100+ daily devotionals can be read together with your children to spark discussion as a family.
- When You Became You by Brooke Stanton and Christiane West – This simple picture book helps teach children the value of every human life from the moment of conception. It points out that there are different stages of life, from “embryo” to “adult,” that we all go through while remaining human throughout.
Books can be helpful tools in teaching your children. However, there is no substitute for the quality time that only you can give them. Let these books be an opportunity for you and your kids to connect with each other through conversation, questions, laughter, and tears. You might be surprised by what you learn yourself along the way.
