Pointing your children toward Jesus is one of the greatest joys of motherhood, but it can also be one of the most difficult. How do you explain the gospel to a 4-year-old? What do you say when your third grader asks a question you don’t know how to answer?
Good news. Even if you don’t have the words, God is already working in their hearts. And He has been doing it long before you started reading this blog post, and He will continue to do it long after you begin reading this blog post.
And you don’t have to do this work of motherhood and discipleship alone. There are some really great books and dedications for kids that will do the hard work for you. These resources can spark conversations you don’t know how to start, frame big truths in an age-appropriate way kids can understand, and turn ordinary moments into meaningful ones.
Here is a list of some of our favorite Christian books and devotionals for kids from toddlers to teens. Whether you’re building your bedtime routine around the Bible, looking for a devotional your kids will actually want to lead, or simply looking for a beautiful story that mentions Jesus, we’ve got you covered.
(A note about age recommendations: There is a lot of fluidity here. For example, the first recommendation will capture the attention of young children, but it also feels relevant to us as adults. Many of these books can be enjoyed by different age groups or families, but we have placed them where we think they will be most enjoyed.)
Also, be sure to check out our posts on the best Christian books and devotionals for teens and the best devotionals and Christian books for women.
Best Christian Books and Devotionals for Young Children
jesus story bible
If you only bought one book on this list, I recommend this one. We have read this book many times and even now as adults, we still learn a lot each time.
Each story in the Old and New Testaments points to Jesus and shows how He can meet our need for a Savior. While telling the stories of the heroes of the Bible, they point out that Jesus is the ultimate hero. Your family will cherish it for years to come.
God Counts: God’s Word and Numbers in the World
God Counts shows kids how God uses numbers throughout the Bible to teach us about Himself. Starting with 1 God and 2 people in Genesis and counting up to the 12 types of fruits and 12 shining gates in Revelation, each number in between depicts a different Bible story or truth.
Whether your child is learning to count or is interested in numbers, this book will remind them that God created numbers to proclaim His glory.
The best Christian books and devotionals for preschoolers
big feeling days
Big emotions are real and all kids (and adults!) have them too. Whether it’s a big sad feeling, a big foot-stomping feeling, or a big sleepy feeling, this book gives kids the language to notice what’s going on inside them. And just as Jesus calmed the winds and waves, we can also calm big emotions.
This book gently guides young children toward peace, one big emotion at a time, using simple grounding tools like deep breathing, playing with playdough, writing a letter, and talking to Jesus. A beautiful book perfect for the difficult days that every family faces.
gardens, curtains, and crosses
This picture book follows the greatest story ever told in just a few beautifully illustrated pages. From the garden to the fall, from the curtain that separated God and the people in the temple, to the cross torn in two, to the empty tomb. It tells the entire Bible with wonder and delight.
At the end, the children are asked to say “I’m sorry,” “thank you,” and “please help me,” connecting this story to their hearts and lives. A great Easter gift for kids and a great read and delight every day of the year.
How great is our God?
This devotional is perfect if your child loves science. Short devotionals are engaging and will spark lots of great discussion. Plus, your kids (and you!) will learn new things about the greatness of God: how He created and designed the world, animals, and more.
The best Christian books and devotionals for elementary school students
a friend who forgives
Peter often made mistakes. He spoke before thinking. He stumbled in his faith. He let his friend Jesus down at the worst possible moment.
And Jesus called him the Rock anyway. he forgave me. he loved him He entrusted him with news that would change the world.
This beautifully illustrated picture book depicts the unlikely and blessed friendship between Peter and Jesus. He reassures the children that the friend who never gave up on Peter will never give up on them either. There is also Board book version for young children.
Love also helps children
Funny, touching, and beautifully quirky, Love Does for Kids is full of stories that prove love isn’t just a feeling. it’s yours do. Bob Goff’s infectious joy and big heart will inspire your family to dream, laugh, and live their faith.
One of the best parts? The Goff family wrote letters to world leaders after 9/11 and ended up having dinner with over 25 of them.
Faith and kindness will feel like their greatest adventure in these pages, and your child will finish reading this book ready to begin their own adventure.
(There is also Adult version of this book — Read my review of Love Does here)
Jesus and the Great Surprise
The servants are busy preparing for their master’s return…but when he returns, they have a very big surprise. He invites them to sit at his table. he can serve they. “What kind of master would love like that? What kind of God would choose to be his servant?…I’m amazed! Jesus would do that!”
“Jesus and the Great Surprise” takes children on a fun journey through this amazing parable and some of the most unexpected moments in the life of Jesus, who came not as a conquering king but as a baby. He was born in a stinky stable. He was washing the feet of his disciples. His death as a criminal on the cross.
Fun, surprising, and powerful, this book takes children to the biggest surprise of all: the empty tomb and the risen king. Another great Easter book for kids that’s worth reading any time of the year.
Best Christian Books and Devotionals for Teens
action bible
Think of it as a combination of comics and Bible study here. This Bible retelling, with bold cartoon-style illustrations, is an engaging and meaningful way for teens to encounter God’s Word.
Of course, this is not a word-for-word translation of the Bible, but don’t let that deter you. In fact, it may be useful for adults, such as when trying to understand the cultural context of the story of King Hezekiah while studying the book of Isaiah.
Each of the 245 stories is approximately 2-5 pages long and includes quoted Bible quotations, making it easy to follow up with a more literal translation whenever you want to dig deeper.
explore the bible
If your child wants to explore the Bible more deeply, this is a great workbook. Your child will read through most of the Bible once a day for a year.
Each week begins with a few sentences about the background of that week’s readings, and there is a place to write a prayer. It is suggested that you read about five scriptures and answer one question each day. There is also a weekly section for “Exploring with Others” that encourages children to write quick notes about Sunday’s sermon.
This book is recommended for ages 8 and up with parental guidance, or independently for ages 10 and up.
radical books for kids
Part explorer’s guide and part deep dive into church history, The Radical Book for Kids is as cool as its name suggests. Packed with vibrant illustrations and fun facts, this handbook takes teens on a fascinating journey to the ancient roots of the Christian faith and inspires them to incorporate the faith into their real lives.
Your child will learn a lot by reading this book. From famous Biblical journeys to Biblical gems. From how to make your own catapults and slings to how to read the Bible and pray. From the Latin words you need to know to what to do when something bad happens. This book explores the Bible from many different angles.
This book is recommended for ages 8 to early teens. You can read it as is, or choose something that seems interesting from the table of contents and read it from anywhere. This is perfect for tweens who want to go deeper and have fun.
Looking for the best Christian or devotional books for teens? Check out this post!
Related links:
- Best Christian Books and Devotionals for Teens
- Best Devotional and Christian Books for Women
- A place where you can buy books cheaply (so you can read books without spending money)
- Where to get free books (yes!)
- My top 4 favorite reads of 2025
- Raising Great Children (with Monica Swanson)
- Raise children who want to talk to you
- Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (with David Thomas)
- How to raise a safe girl
What do you think is the best dedication for children? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!
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