Are you looking for a book to gift for a baby shower or baptism? Or are you a mom or dad looking for engaging and beautiful books to introduce the faith to your little one? These are my favorite Christian books for babies and toddlers, combining solid theology with captivating illustrations. They are good, true, and beautiful!
Our little boy is turning two, and these are the books that he comes back to again and again. And we are always delighted to read them, even when it’s the fifth, sixth, seventh (or more) repetition that day.
The illustrations are enchanting, delighting both the young and the old. And the texts range from prayers and scripture to the most charming refrains that we hope are etched on his heart for life.
Because we are traditional High Church Anglicans in the Anglican Catholic Church, we happily read both Protestant and Roman Catholic books. We understand that may be confusing (or infuriating) to some. I’ll do my best to indicate which way it leans, or if it is suitable for either!
Paperback Books
1. This is the Church
Written by Katie Warner and illustrated by Meg Whalen, This is the Church is easily our favorite Christian children’s book. It is a beautiful introduction to salvation history from the perspective of a young girl examining the stained glass windows in her church. The illustrations are detailed black-and-white pencil drawings of the inside of a cathedral, with contrasting colorful stained glass windows.
Learn the major beats of the greatest story ever told and meet some of the major figures from the Old and New Testaments as the flowing meter of the text draws you deeper. You’ll find yourself repeating the refrain throughout your day: “…Christ Jesus, our Savior and King, who died and then rose and founded the Church, the Catholic Church, to share God’s love with the world.”
My favorite part of this book is that the child is invited in and reminded that they play a significant role in the greatest story ever told. I also love the subtle message told by the illustrations – a black-and-white world that becomes illuminated in full color by the light from the stained glass windows that tell the Gospel.
While it was written by a Roman Catholic, I think it is suitable for any Christian who believes in the “one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church” as Christians have professed in the Nicene Creed for 1700 years.
2. The Lord’s Prayer
In this stunning picture book, Heidi Holder thoughtfully illuminates the Lord’s Prayer in the style of a medieval manuscript. Animals of all sorts grace the pages, drawn in soft colors with great detail in picturesque landscapes. The more we studied each page, the more we discovered. Each page was full of symbolism, which was also briefly explained as an appendix at the end of the book.
While very little ones may not notice all the symbolism yet, this book will grow with them. The serene, yet captivating illustrations make it absolutely perfect for bedtime prayers.
This book should have a spot on the bookshelf of every Christian family, whether Catholic or Protestant! Of course, as an Anglican Catholic, I deeply appreciate that it uses the text from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
3. I Believe: The Nicene Creed
Illustrated by Pauline Baynes (who also illustrated C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series) in the style of a medieval illuminated manuscript, this book beautifully presents the Nicene Creed line by line. Each page is a feast for the eyes, full of symbolism that brings the text to life. There are vibrant depictions of animals (big and small, real and imaginary), plants, scenes from the Bible, the life of the Church, heaven, and hell.
This book is one that will certainly grow with the child, delighting them for years to come. While we only have a toddler at the moment, I can certainly imagine an older kid studying the symbolism. That’s certainly what I’m doing when I’m reading it!
To my Catholic readers, please note that it is the Nicene Creed as found in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. It is very similar to the one you say, though there are a few more archaic words as well as the unfortunate omission of “holy” from “one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
4. I Sing a Song of the Saints of God
In I Sing a Song of the Saints of God, Judith Gwyn Brown illustrates Lesbia Scott’s wonderful hymn with vivid portrayals of the saints and their adventures in the form of a children’s play. This book is sure to inspire little ones to emulate the heroic virtues of those that have “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1) as they observe that great cloud of witnesses.
The hymn does not mention specific saint names, but the illustrations help readers to identify who is being referenced. It also opens the possibility for older children to discuss other saints who might fit the description! And my favorite part is that the hymn is not just about the saints in heaven, but those that are working their way towards heaven here on earth as “the world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus’ will”!
While the text is from an Anglican hymn, I don’t think that Roman Catholics would find anything objectionable about it. And for my Protestant friends, the hymn doesn’t talk about praying to the saints – just that we should all aim to be like them!
5. My Book of the Church’s Year
St. Augustine Academy Press’ reprint of Enid Chadwick’s 1948 My Book of the Church’s Year is a real treasure. With bright illustrations (and only as much text as is necessary), it introduces young hearts to the liturgical year’s rhythms of feasting and fasting, as well as the deeper meaning of each season with pithy statements of foundational Church doctrine.
For example, Chadwick describes the purpose of the three pillars of Lent: prayer, our weapon against the Devil; fasting, our weapon against the Flesh; and Almsgiving, our weapon against the World. Accompanying this simple text are illustrations that depict the efficacy of these disciplines. Truly, it is a work of art and a beautiful catechetical tool.
Because Enid Chadwick was a High Church Anglican, the liturgical year of this book may be slightly different than the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church (especially post-Vatican II – the traditional Roman Catholic calendar was quite similar). However, the meanings of these seasons remains consistent. I also believe the slight variations only offer opportunities for discussing the historical names for the various seasons, as well as regional observances.
For my Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ, the liturgical year is a beautiful part of our Christian heritage. Our family’s life was so greatly enriched once we embraced living in accordance with the rhythm of the Church’s year. It allows us to walk through the life of Christ, living our lives alongside Him, entering deeper into the mysteries of our faith every year. Prayerfully consider whether it is something you want to institute in your domestic church!
6. The Story of God with Us
The Story of God with Us, written by Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie and illustrated by Aedan Peterson, tells the story of salvation in the most enchanting way! It reads almost like a fairy tale, with vibrant, almost magical illustrations that are sure to draw the attention of little ones. And the refrain is certainly one that I want to echo in my son’s heart:
So He could dwell with us,
and we with Him.
Always and forever,
world without end.
Like This is the Church, it invites the child into the story, where we must listen closely for God’s voice while we live in “the days of King Jesus” and look forward to the day when God will “turn [the earth] into the Garden-city.” I also really appreciate that there is a reference guide at the end of the book with specific Bible verses for each part of the story – it makes it so easy to turn story time into Bible study in a way that is approachable for little ones.
Christians, whether young or old, Catholic or Protestant, will love this book. It is the perfect combination of accurate biblical theology and sublime storytelling, topped off with art that will make your heart sing!
Board Books
Want beautiful Christian books for your babies and/or toddlers, but worried they won’t survive the grabby baby stage (or the whirlwind of toddler chaos)? These board books deliver Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in a sturdy, baby-proof package!
7. Psalm 23: A Colors Primer
You’d be hard-pressed to find a Christian who doesn’t love Psalm 23, and this beautiful board book (by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard) pairs each verse with an illustration in a different color. It’s the perfect baby shower gift! And if it is for a second, third, or fourth (or beyond) baby, the older siblings will delight in this as well.
We started reading this to our son when he was a newborn and he has always been fascinated by the pictures. Perhaps it is thanks to this book that he surprised us by mastering his colors well before his second birthday!
The translation this book uses is the King James Version (KJV). While I may be biased as an Anglican Catholic, I think that it is indisputably the best translation of this Psalm. If you’re skeptical, Leila Lawler (a Roman Catholic) provides an incredibly eloquent defense of the KJV, particularly for the beauty and mastery of the English language that it imprints on a child’s heart. There must be a reason that it is often verses in the KJV that stick best in our memories!
8. Word of the Lord: A Child’s First Scripture Verses
If ensuring that your child has a treasure trove of Bible verses stored up in their heart as early as possible is your goal, then The Word of the Lord (edited by Katie Warner, illustrated by Meg Whalen) is a must-have!
The illustrations are simple and so sweet. Many of them feature families, which our son delights in. He loves to point to “Mommy,” “Daddy,” and “baby” and I hope that identifying his world in the images alongside Scripture helps him feel even more at home in the Bible.
The verses are in the Revised Standard Version (RSV). While I prefer the KJV, the RSV is still lovely and the clarity of the translation may make it easier for children to understand without dumbing it down at all. I think that any Christian family would be happy to read this, though some of the images are subtly a bit more High-Church or Catholic (crucifixes on some pages, a priest officiating a wedding, etc.).
9. First Bible Basics: A Counting Primer
Another book from the Baby Believer series by Danielle Hitchen and illustrated by Jessica Blanchard, First Bible Basics is anything but a basic counting book! It takes some fairly advanced, abstract, and vitally important theological teachings and put them into a format that kids feel comfortable approaching. For example, the two natures of Jesus, fully man and fully God – that’s not something you’d find in your average board book!
If I’m being honest, it’s a catechetical tool that even adults can benefit from – I certainly did. Each concept is also accompanied by a quote from Scripture or another essential Christian text. The illustrations are bright and fun, and some pages are so beautiful I want to hang them on the wall!
This is a book that any Christian will love. The publisher of the series, Catechesis Books, says on their website that they are “best described as ‘merely Christian’” and their faith is best summarized in the Apostle’s Creed.
10. Kiddie Cat: A Child’s First Catechism Lesson
I knew from the clever title that this would be a perennial favorite in our household! Kiddie Cat (also by Katie Warner and illustrated by Meg Whalen) is a clear and simple statement of faith that kids can understand, without being too watered down.
I love that it begins with the important fact that “God loves you, and rejoices in being with you” and finishes with God always desiring to spend time with Him in prayer. I also appreciate that it is subtly divided into the four pillars of the Catholic Church (Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer), indicated by the color of the text page and an illustration under the text.
As you may guess from the title, this book is more on the High-Church or Catholic side. However, if you are comfortable with explaining how “God sent his Son Jesus, to found a Church, the Catholic Church” (as is professed in the Nicene Creed) and discussing the seven sacraments, I think that you would enjoy it too!
Other Great Christian Books for Babies and Toddlers:
- Any Katie Warner book! Some of our other favorites are:
- My True Love Gave to Me: A Children’s Catechism for the Twelve Days of Christmas – The stunning illustrations are reminiscent of some of the greatest Christian art, from Eastern iconography to illuminate manuscripts to stained glass. It’s a wonderful Christmas gift, but is appropriate all year long.
- One Holy Marriage: The Story of Louis and Zélie Martin – I cry every time I read it – it is such a beautifully told story of this saintly couple!
- Jack Giorgio: Future Priest – With art and language reminiscent of a superhero comic book, this will inspire boys to emulate the heroic virtue of a good, holy priest. It’s an excellent teacher of Christian masculinity and the great rhyme takes it over the top – my son loves this book!
- The Tiny Seed: A Parable – This gentle telling of the parable of the mustard seed is a wonderful bedtime story to remind children that they are great because they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. The message is one of God-love over self-love – a rarity in our modern world!
- Lily Lolek, Future Saint – Don’t we all aspire to be saints, but worry we can’t measure up? With a fun rhyme, this book delivers the powerful lesson that God didn’t make us to be like our favorite saint, but rather to be the saint he made us to be.
- The rest of the First Faith Treasure board book series: Cloud of Witnesses: A Child’s First Book of Saints and Let Us Pray: A Child’s First Book of Prayers
- The rest of the Baby Believer board book series by Danielle Hitchen – they’re all excellent concept books (animals, shapes, opposites, etc.) that also teach the central tenets of the Christian faith!
Final Thoughts
Some of these books are newer and some are older, and the older ones unfortunately seem a bit harder to come by. However, because they are such good, true, and beautiful Christian books for babies and toddlers, I couldn’t bear to leave them out. If they are not available on Amazon through the links provided, you may have better luck with other retailers. However, I deeply appreciate any purchases made through my affiliate links as they help to support this blog!
What are your favorite Christian books for babies and toddlers? Comment your recommendations below!
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