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
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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)

Jesus saves the world
Paper Book
The Beginner's Bible® is a trusted starting point for your child's journey toward a lifelong love of God's Word. The Beginner's Bible Jesus Saves the World offers aclassic retelling of Jesus' life through the beloved...

This is one of several Bible stories retold for kids just learning to read independently (Children's Easy Readers Nonfiction Grades K-2)

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 vanishings
Jenkins, Jerry B.
Paper Book
This series is based on the best-selling adult Left Behind series. Readers will see the Rapture and Tribulation through the eyes of four kids who have been left behind.
A classic Christian apocalypse story from the Y2K era about children left behind following the Rapture (Children's Fiction Grade 3-5)
The Mandie collection. Volume one
Leppard, Lois Gladys.
Paper Book
This five-in-one volume brings MANDIE fans--new and old alike--back to where it all began. Readers will discover anew the charms of the impulsive Mandie Shaw as she faces the ups and downs of first losing her father and then finding her long-lost family in Mandie and the Secret Tunnel. Many...

For fans of American Girl and Boxcar Children, this historical fiction series features a group of young girls solving mysteries in early 20th century North Carolina (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe
Lewis, C. S.
Paper Book
Don't miss one of America's top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS's The Great American Read. A full-color paperback edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, book two in the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with full-color cover and...

A sweeping fantasy allegory of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection (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, Rene?e
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)

Wishing upon the same stars
Feldman, Jacquetta Nammar
Paper Book
This powerful and poignant coming-of-age middle grade debut novel follows an Arab American girl named Yasmeen as she moves to San Antonio with her family and navigates finding friendship--and herself. Perfect for fans of Other Words for Home, Front Desk, and American as Paneer...

An interfaith story about a Syrian Christan girl finding her place in a new community (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)

God's smuggler
Andrew, Brother
Paper Book
A True-Life Thriller That Will Leave You Breathless In the anniversary edition of this electrifying real-life story, readers are gripped from the first page by the harrowing account of a young man who risked his life to smuggle Bibles through the borders of closed nations. Now,...

A memoir by a Dutch Christian who smuggled Bibles into Communist countries during the Cold War (Children's Nonfiction Age 9-12)

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)

How to pray : a simple guide for normal people
Greig, Pete.
Paper Book
'I have been reading Christian books for fifty years, but this one revolutionised my prayer life before I had even finished reading it.' Reader review є є є є є 'Pete Greig is a gift to the world. This book uses the revolutionary prayer of...

A fun, interactive guide to helping elementary-age kids develop a daily prayer habit (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-11)

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)

What is given from the heart
McKissack, Pat
Paper Book
CORETTA SCOTT KING - JOHN STEPTOEILLUSTRATORAWARD FOR NEW TALENTWINNER 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)

He is risen : rocks tell the story of Easter
Rokus, Patti
Paper Book
This unique and unforgettable picture book uses rock art and simple text to tell children the story of the miracle of Easter--the resurrection of Jesus. Through the arrangement of a few rocks and powerful words directly from Scripture, the entire Easter story is told in He Is Risen:...

This striking story of the resurrection is told using photos of rock sculptures. Find more picture book retellings of the Biblical Easter story at the end of the Easter section in EAS 225 (Children's Holiday 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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