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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God is kind
Calloway-Hanauer, Jamie
Paper Book
Discover all the wonderful ways God spreads kindness and you can too in this heartwarming board book for babies and toddlers, the perfect Christmas gift! Celebrate the blessings and kindness all around us! Filled with heartwarming rhymes and gorgeous animal illustrations, this...

A story of God's love written for the youngest readers (Board Books Age 0-2)

Strong : Psalm 1
Lloyd-Jones, Sally
Paper Book
Inspired by Psalm 1, Strong's lyrical text reminds little ones that God loves them and gives them strength. From Sally Lloyd-Jones, the author of the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, and award-winning illustrator Jago, this uplifting board book encourages little ones to find...

A lesson on strength inspired by Psalm 1 for the littlest readers. (Board Book Age 0-2)

God made the animals
Turner, Marie B.
Paper Book
Thanks to cut-out eye holes, this charming board book lets toddlers become roly poly hedgehogs, silly monkeys, hooting owls, and mysterious bats using each page as a mask. As they read, children discover more about God's creativity and care for the animals. God made each one different and God...

A sturdy interactive board book inspired by the creation story from Genesis (Board Book Age 0-2)

A spoonful of faith
Holliday, Jena
Paper Book
A sweet rhyming paper-over-board 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 book, perfect for anyone nervous about activities such as going back to...

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

Counting on Naamah : a mathematical midrash on Noah's ark
Lyons, Erica
Paper Book
Rosie Revere Engineer meets Noah's Ark! What if Naamah, Noah's wife, was actually a math and engineering whiz? Enjoy this fun, zany, and girl-powered take on the traditional Noah's Ark story. Included in Best Jewish Children's Books of 2023, Tablet Magazine Included...

A math-themed picture book that combines the story of Noah\'s Ark with basic STEM skills. (Picture Book Age 4-9)

Early Sunday morning
Millner, Denene
Paper Book
Early Sunday Morning is the first offering from Denene Millner Books, the new children's line published under Agate's Bolden imprint in partnership with Denene Millner, the noted parenting authority, editor, and New York Times bestselling author. Love and family....

A young girl prepares to sing her first solo with her church choir (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)

Grand Teton stampede
Fulton, C. R.
Paper Book
"STAMPEDE!" Isaiah yells as the herd heads straight at his and Ethan's tent? Twelve-year-old Isaiah Rawlings wished for only one thing this summer, a camping trip outside of Kentucky. I'm so tired of camping in my backyard, he groaned. Isaiah pleads with his parents to reconsider their usual summer...

Each books in this series takes place a different national park, perfect for outdoor-loving readers (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

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 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
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)

The green ember
Smith, S. D.
Paper Book
Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world. Kings fall and kingdoms totter. Tyrants...

A gentler take on the Redwall series, with animal protagonists in a medieval European-inspired setting centered on a Christian worldview (Children's Books 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)

The boy who fell from the stars
Dekker, Ted
Paper Book

In this post-apocalyptic science fiction story by a popular Christian fiction author, a group of children are sent to a decimated Earth populated by dangerous dragons to ensure the future of humanity (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

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 Pie. ...

An interfaith story about a Syrian Christan girl finding her place in a new community (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

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)

Pilgrim's progress
Schmidt, Gary D.
Paper Book
National Book Award finalist and two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Gary D. Schmidt recaptures the classic tale of one man's spiritual journey in this contemporary retelling of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, masterfully illustrated with watercolors by artist 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)

The bronze bow
Speare, Elizabeth George.
Paper Book
In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Daniel bar Jamin will stop at nothing to seek revenge for his father's death at the hands of the Roman Empire. After Daniel bar Jamin's father is crucified by the Roman Empire, Daniel wants nothing more than to rid his land of Israel of...

An award-winning historical fiction novel by the author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, telling the story of a young boy who comes to Christianity during Jesus' final days (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

God's smuggler
Andrew, Brother
Paper Book
Bestselling, Timeless Classic Now Abridged for Young Readers With over 10 million sold, this classic work is now available in a new edition for young readers ages 9 to 12, complete with riveting illustrations. The exciting narrative follows the dangerous true-life mission of Brother...

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

My little prayer
Archuleta, David
Paper Book
In his first ever children's book, singer David Archuleta conveys the profound love to be found in our personal relationships with God.  "David was truly inspired in writing this book. I know it will reassure every child that God is there waiting to hear from us. Thank you, David...

A sweet picture book adaptation of the popular song (Children's Nonfiction Age 3-6)

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids, Hardcover
CSB Bibles by Holman, C. S. B. Bibles
Paper Book
The ECPA award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids helps kids place God's Word in the middle of God's world. Within its engaging, full-color pages, kids will interact with the people, places, and things of the Bible and God's creation. Fascinating images, illustrations,...
From our nonfiction section, this Explorer Bible was a 2022 Christian Book Award winner. Bibles and Bible stories are shelved in our Nonfiction section under the number 220 (Children's Nonfiction Age 6-12)
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 guide for young explorers
Greig, Pete
Paper Book
Encourage your kids to develop life-changing prayer habits with this ECPA Book of the Year!It's never too early to instill a passion for prayer in your child. Pete Greig is a worldwide authority and the face of a generation when it comes to prayer. While you might expect him to be lofty and...

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

Eve and Adam and the very first day
Kimmelman, Leslie
Paper Book
"Gloriously beautiful and tender." --Kirkus Starred Review In this unusual retelling, the biblical story of creation is told from Eve's perspective and explores what it might have been like emotionally for the world's first two people to experience everything for the very...

A vibrant retelling of the story from the book of Genesis. (Children\'s Nonfiction Age 4-7)

What are the Ten Commandments?
McDonough, Yona Zeldis
Paper Book
Learn the story behind the ten laws that have been the guiding light of Judeo-Christian belief. Not just about Moses, whose origin story leaves open questions, this book looks back at the time when the commandments were written, how the belief in one all-powerful God set the...

The popular Who HQ series includes a couple of books featuring Bible stories, including the Ten Commandments and the life of Jesus (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-11)

When I talk to God, I talk about you
Metz, Chrissy
Paper Book
A New York Times bestselling book! "Gorgeous...Inspired by both of their grandparents and their guidance on prayer, the book is full of thoughtful details...Full of messages for parents, grandparents, or anyone reading." - Romper From...

A loving tribute to parental love written by one of the stars of This Is Us (Children's Nonfiction Age 4-8)

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)

The Awesome Book of Bible Comics
Silverthorne, Sandy
Paper Book
Your Favorite Bible Stories--as You've Never Seen Them Before! Bible stories can be seriously awesome! The Awesome Book of Bible Comics illustrates many of the most popular stories from the Bible--and that's a pretty sweet deal, because you do not want to miss out on how ...

A graphic novel interpretation of classic Bible stories for visual learners and comic book fans (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-11)

God made babies : helping parents answer the baby question
Holcomb, Justin S.
Paper Book
"Where do babies come from?" This common question all too often leaves parents perplexed about what to say and when to say it. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb tackle this tough question in a common sense, biblical way. They help parents start the conversation with their children about sex by giving...

A faith-based approach to discussing human development with young children. (Parenting Age 4-8)

God, I feel sad
Nietert, Michelle
Paper Book
Kids have big feelings, but none of their feelings are too big for God. In this picture book from licensed counselor Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner, young readers will explore what it means to feel their sadness and discover how to manage their emotions in a healthy way. ...
A social worker provides a model for helping kids handle big feelings from a faith-based perspective in this new series for young children (Children's Parenting 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)

Saint Valentine the Kindhearted
Bustard, Ned
Paper Book
We celebrate Valentine's Day with flowers, candy, and cards for the people we love. But have you ever wondered why we do this on February 14? Learn all about Saint Valentine, a man whose life of kindness and love inspires us each year to let others know how much they mean to...

A book about St. Valentine with an emphasis on his religious origins and ties to modern Christian faith. (Holiday Book Age 5-8)

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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