It’s hard to exaggerate the importance of teaching our children to read. And introducing them to God’s word and the wonderful truths of the Bible at an early age is the greatest gift we can give our children. I’m often asked about good books to use for children’s Bible study or Bible lessons for kids. The following are excellent books, broken up by age, for your children up through upper elementary school. And you can click on the section header for full a selection of outstanding titles.
Infants & Toddlers Bible Stories
Infants and Toddlers (birth-2) Very young children enjoy read-aloud Bible stories that are short and have colorful illustrations.
- The Toddler’s ABC Bible Storybook by Carolyn Larsen
- Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 1 by Ella K. Lindval
- God Knows Everything (Learn about God series) by Cairne MacKenzie
- Our Home is like a Little Church by Lindsey Blair
- Most of All, Jesus Loves You by Noel Piper
Preschoolers Bible Story Books
Preschoolers (3) Most three-year-olds are able to sit and listen to longer Bible stories. They can start to memorize children’s catechism questions and answers, and they will be growing in their ability to answer questions about what is read to them.
- My 1st Book: 7 Book Set by Cairne MacKenzie
- Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers 4 Book Set
- All Things Bright & Beautiful by Cecil Frances Alexander
- Jesus is Coming Back by Debbie Anderson
- I Love My Bible by Debbie Anderson
Emergent Readers – Children’s Bible Study Books
Emergent Readers (4-5) Most four-and-five year-olds are able to memorize short picture books and “read” them aloud. (This is an appropriate developmental stage for emergent readers!) Some are learning to match sounds to letter symbols and are beginning to read. Some books in this category are appropriate for children this age to memorize, or even read independently.
- Peter – The Fisherman by Cairne MacKenzie
- Get Wisdom!: 23 Lessons for Children about Living for Jesus by Ruth Younts
- That’s When I Talk to God by Dan & Alison Morrow
- Squanto And The Miracle Of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas
- God’s Little Guidebooks: Ten Commandments Box Set by Hazel Scrimshire
Early Elementary – Bible Study Books
Early Elementary (6-7) Six and seven-year-olds are learning to read longer and more complex text independently. They still enjoy read-aloud stories, and their lengthening attention spans may respond positively to hearing chapter books read aloud.
- Faithfulness Under Fire – The Story of Guido Debres
- Wait Till You See the Butterfly
- The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- Mighty Acts of God: A Family Bible Story Book by Starr Meade
- God’s Mighty Acts in Creation & Salvation by Starr Meade
Middle Elementary – Christian Books for Children
Middle Elementary (8-9) Children in the middle elementary years often enjoy reading chapter books on their own, but may still appreciate hearing longer picture books or novels read aloud.
- Guarding the Treasure: How God’s People Preserve God’s Word by Linda Finlayson
- Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life by Peter Leithart
- Augustine of Hippo (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church (History Lives Series) by Brandon & Mindy Withrow
- Jim Elliot: He is No Fool by Irene Howat
Upper Elementary – Christian Books for Kids
Upper Elementary (10-12) Most older children can read completely independently. We expect the books in this category to be interesting and understandable to these readers. However, children this age still benefit greatly from discussing their reading with parents.
- Herein is Love: Genesis – A Commentary for Children by Nancy E. Ganz
- The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come by John Bunyan
- Lessons on Liberty: A Primer for Young Patriots by Peter A. Lillback
- Amazing Stories from Times Past: Devotions for Families and Children by Christine Farenhorst
- Crown & Covenant, 3 Volume Set by Douglas Bond
- In God’s School: Foundations for a Christian Life Charles Pierre
Printable Bible Lessons for Kids
Be sure to check out this great children’s Bible study, The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Study by Starr Meade. Your kids need to be old enough to read on their own and do some simple comprehension questions (especially for the Romans study).
