Children's Book Suggestions | Christian Fiction

Some of our favorite Christian-themed books for young readers, from board books and picture books about God's love to chapter books for older readers exploring Biblical stories and Christian beliefs. While the title says "fiction," we've expanded this list to include some popular nonfiction books as well.

Fiction stories with Christian themes are integrated into our general fiction sections and shelved under the author's last name.

Bible stories, books about prayer and faith, and other religious topics are shelved our Children's Nonfiction section starting at the number 220.

Books about Christmas and Easter are shelved at the end of our Christmas and Easter section under the number 225.

Updated November 2, 2023
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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A spoonful of faith
Holliday, Jena
Paper Book
A sweet rhyming picture book that reminds young readers that to make their dreams come true--"a spoonful of faith is all it takes!"--from debut author-illustrator Jena Holliday. An encouraging and hopeful picture book, perfect for anyone nervous about activities such as going back...

Christian influencer Jena Holliday tells a sweet story about using faith to navigate childhood challenges (Picture Books Age 4-8)

What is given from the heart
McKissack, Pat
Paper Book
CORETTA SCOTT KING - JOHN STEPTOE ILLUSTRATOR AWARD FOR NEW TALENT WINNER This final, magnificent picture book from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author Patricia McKissack is a poignant and uplifting celebration of the joy of giving. ...

A story about generosity by one of the greatest Black children's authors of the 20th century (Children's Holiday Age 4-8)

Best family ever
Kingsbury, Karen
Paper Book
Now an original series on Prime Video Much-loved storyteller Karen Kingsbury's Baxter Family books have captured the hearts of millions who have come to think of the Baxter family as their own. Now Karen Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell tell the childhood stories of the...

Popular Christian Fiction author Karen Kingsbury takes the characters from her adult Baxter family books and explores the story from the children's point of view (Children's Fiction Grade 3-5)

The lion, the witch and the wardrobe
Lewis, C. S.
Paper Book
A beautiful hardcover edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, book two in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia.  The full-color jacket features art by three-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator David Wiesner. The interior includes ...

A sweeping fantasy allegory of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Squirreled away
Nawrocki, Michael
Paper Book
Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, is back, this time with some furry friends!In the first installment of this hilarious new chapter-book series, ten-year-old Michael and his friend Justin sneak into the Dead Sea caves near the archaeological dig where Michael's dad is working. Michael...

A Diary of a Wimpy Kid-style graphic novel hybrid book that uses humor to help kids learn about Biblical history (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Little pilgrim's progress
Taylor, Helen L.
Paper Book
A classic work of literature, adapted for children and beautifully illustrated. Perceiving the need for a simpler version of a timeless classic, Helen Taylor faithfully adapted John Bunyan's allegory of the Christian life, The Pilgrim's Progress, for young readers-...

Animal protagonists take the spotlight in this retelling of John Bunyan's Christian classic, The Pilgrim's Progress (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The beginning
Thomas, M. J.
Paper Book
A mysterious scroll transports a brother and sister back in time to God's creation of the world in the first installment of this action-packed chapter book series for emerging readers. The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series follows siblings Peter and Mary and their dog, Hank, as...

A Magic Treehouse-style time travel story about two siblings and the scroll that transports them to their favorite Bible stories (Christian Fiction Grades 3-5)

Ways to make sunshine
Watson, Renée
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson, the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she...

A modern story inspired by Beverly Cleary's Ramona books, this series features familiar Portland-area landmarks and seamlessly integrates the Hart family's Christian faith into descriptions of their everyday life (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Heart of a shepherd
Parry, Rosanne
Paper Book
When Brother's dad is shipped off to Iraq, along with the rest of his reserve unit, Brother must help his grandparents keep the ranch going. He’s determined to maintain it just as his father left it, in the hope that doing so will ensure his father’s safe return. The hardships Brother...

Set in eastern Oregon during the Iraq War, a young boy struggles to support his family while his father is deployed overseas (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The door in the dragon's throat
Peretti, Frank E.
Paper Book
Jay and Lila Cooper and their archaeologist father travel to Nepur to uncover the truth behind the legend of the deadly Door in the Dragon's Throat. What danger lies beyond the Door?

A classic Christian fiction adventure story set in an archaeological ruin, great for fans of the Indiana Jones movies (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

John Bunyan's Pilgrim's progress : a retelling
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
This volume offers a superb retelling in contemporary language of John Bunyan's beloved classic, masterfully illustrated with fifty watercolor paintings by Barry Moser.

An illustrated retelling of John Bunyan's Christian classic The Pilgrim's Progress by an award-winning children's author (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

What is God like
Evans, Rachel Held
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . The late, beloved Rachel Held Evans answers many children's first question about God in this gorgeous picture book, fully realized by her friend Matthew Paul Turner, the bestselling author of When God Made You. Children who are...

A book answering children's questions about God by the late writer Rachel Held Evans (Children's Nonfiction Age 3-7)

Saint spotting, or, How to read a church
Raschka, Christopher
Paper Book
A church is a weighty thing, isn't it? Its doors are heavy and hard to budge. Its walls are made of stone. And there may be strange or even scary pictures inside. How can a small person make sense of these intimidating places? Two-time Caldecott medalist Chris Raschka shares his mother's...

A Caldecott medalist explores the beauty and mystery of a Catholic church. Catholic readers might also be interested in our books on saints and sacraments, which are shelved in Children's Nonfiction in the 230s (Children's Nonfiction Age 4-8)

Lullaby for the King
Grimes, Nikki
Paper Book
An awe-inspiring Christmas tale from multi-award-winning poet Nikki Grimes. The caravan traveled through wilderness, uphill and down, for hours that spun into days. Then at last, glittering diamond-bright, Bethlehem appeared through the haze. With...

Acclaimed poet Nikki Grimes tells a story of animals processing to Bethlehem for the birth of Christ. Find more picture book retellings of the Biblical Christmas story at the end of the Christmas section in CHR 225)

The tale of three trees : a traditional folktale
Hunt, Angela Elwell
Paper Book
Featuring beautiful illustrations, this best-selling children's book helps children understand the significance of Easter.   "Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up ..." So begins...

A lovely story featuring three trees who find their purpose illustrating important moments in the life of Christ (Children's Nonfiction Age 4-8)

Bare tree and Little wind : a story for Holy Week
Perkins, Mitali
Paper Book
A lyrical, captivating retelling of the Palm Sunday and Easter story from National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins, author of Rickshaw Girl, that is sure to become a beloved tradition for families of faith. Little Wind and the trees of Jerusalem can't wait for Real King...

Award-winning author Mitali Perkins retells the story of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to the resurrection. (Holiday Picture Book Age 3-6)


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