Every month I put together a roundup of new and notable books for grownup readers. But I also receive a lot of books for kids and like to put together the occasional roundup of these books as well. So today I bring you a whole big batch of new books for kids of all ages (up to and including teens).
Pippa and the Singing Tree: Joining the Song of All Creation by Kristyn Getty. “The whole earth is a symphony to God. The universe echoes his glory, and believers harmonize with songs of adoration. In the illustrated book Pippa and the Singing Tree, singer and hymn writer Kristyn Getty teaches children how they can answer Scripture’s call to worship. Playing outside one chilly autumn day, Pippa is surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The great trees, robins, and icy winds—depicted in charming lyrical prose—all witness to God’s majesty. Moved by the beauty around her, Pippa lifts her voice, adding her own song to the chorus. Combining beauty and rhythm with artwork by P.J. Lynch, this story makes a great gift or church resource.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever by Kathryn Butler. “Sonia dreams of being just as talented as the other kids in her class. Hoping to impress her teacher, she constructs a tower using blocks. As she imagines it growing taller and taller, she eventually incorporates books, a fire truck, boxes of crayons, and even a golden hamster! When she snaps back to reality, she is disappointed to find that her tower is not nearly as impressive as she had imagined. We all long to feel special. We seek recognition for our efforts and validation for who we are. This easy-to-understand story, with winsome language and colorful pictures, helps kids ages 3–7 understand that their value doesn’t come from the approval of others or the success of their actions but from the unconditional love of God in Christ.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Jesus Moments: Esther: Finding Jesus in the Story of Esther by Alison Mitchell. “This fun, interactive resource will give children skills to read the Bible as they connect the stories and learn that the whole Bible is about Jesus. Moments in Esther’s story when something in the story is a little bit like Jesus are signposted with symbols that children need to spot, helping them to understand the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Written by Alison Mitchell, the award-winning author of Jesus and the Lions’ Den and The One O’Clock Miracle, and beautifully illustrated. This book makes a great gift for children 4-7 years old. Can also be used for children’s ministry in church.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Empty!: Celebrating the Risen Savior by Joshua Cooley. “Some things in life are terrible when empty, such as piggy banks, cookie jars, and giftwrapped Christmas boxes. But empty can be amazingly good, like Saturday chore lists and that beehive you just bumped into. Two thousand years ago, outside Jerusalem, a group of people found a miraculously empty tomb—and the world has never been the same. Join New York Times bestselling author Joshua Cooley in a funny, meaningful journey into Jesus’ empty tomb—the greatest empty in the history of emptiness!—and what it means for us today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Good News of Easter: Celebrating the Glory of the Resurrection Story by Rousseaux Brasseur. “This beautifully illustrated, poetic retelling of Christ’s death and resurrection offers families a new and special way to celebrate Easter. Now open your eyes, your heart, and your mind to the world’s most wonderful story… Of the Light from above, the Son of God’s Love—the King of grace and glory! From the author of The Good News of Christmas comes this charming and colorful lyrical adaptation of the events surrounding the death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ as told in the gospels. From Palm Sunday to Jesus’s ascension, Rousseaux Brasseur makes the Easter story come alive for all ages.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Coop Learns He Can (The Wheelies) by Sarah Reju. “Coop dreams of doing big, important things like his older siblings do. He is excited to go off-roading with Joy, a Jeep, but as a MINI-Cooper, he can’t keep up. Coop becomes sad that he isn’t built to climb rocks and fling mud like his sister and wonders if the Bible verse they had been memorizing about being fearfully and wonderfully made applies to him. When Joy gets stuck and needs her brother’s speed and agility to rescue her, Coop realizes that God did give him special talents of his own. The third book in The Wheelies series, written by Sarah Reju and illustrated by Tania Rex, Coop Learns He Can will show children ages 3-8 that God made each person unique and special with their own purpose.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
A Wonderful Surprise: An Easter Bible Verse to Remember by Sally Michael. “When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna!” and ‘Blessed is the King!’ Just a few days after they had yelled, ‘Hosanna!’ the people shouted, ‘Crucify him!’ On the third day after Jesus died, everyone received a big surprise–Jesus was alive!In A Wonderful Surprise, Sally Michael helps parents to instruct the mind and engage the heart of their children as they learn Scripture. Each page shows pictures and asks questions to engage preschoolers in understanding the verse. Repetition of the verse throughout the book, helps children memorize the Bible verse after just a few readings. Also included are pointers for helping children memorize and suggestions for activities that will reinforce ‘Living by the Word.’” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King: The Me Tree and Other Adventures by Bob Hartman. “The whimsical and imaginative short stories in this adventurous book will transport children to a different world, giving them a fresh way to engage with truths about Jesus and what it’s like to follow him. They’ll join Lily and her friend the Lemur on a series of adventures in the Lamb King’s mysterious and exciting playground. They’ll explore a me-tree, play Scrabble with a slow loris, and save an entire family of squirrels from the cold! Along the way, children will find themselves exploring key truths about Jesus’ kingdom—such as how to be welcoming, what gives people value, and why a self-sacrificing king is the best king of all.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Your Magnificent Mouth: A Training Young Hearts Rhyming Book by Abbey Wedgeworth. “Empower kids ages 3+ to connect the gospel to their own actions and attitudes! From creation and fall to redemption and sanctification, this colorful rhyming storybook captures the beauty of the gospel message through simple, practical, rhyming language and illustrations that children will love to engage with. Focusing on the way we use our mouths, Abbey Wedgeworth helps children to see that God gave their words real power, and that this power can be used to heal or to harm. But we’re not left on our own to do the right thing–we can look to Jesus as our example, ask God for forgiveness when we mess up, and receive the help of the Holy Spirit as we use our mouths for God’s glory!” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Go Tell Everyone: 9 Missionaries Who Shared the Good News by Meredith Cook. “Jesus told Christians to go tell everyone the good news that He saved the world! [This book] shows kids how missionaries have obeyed Jesus’s command to tell everyone throughout history. Beginning with the great commission, Christians have always followed the command to ‘Go tell everyone!’ Kids will learn about how missionaries used their talents to connect with people all over the world and share the gospel with them. This interactive book introduces each missionary on the right side of the spread, asks where the child thinks that person went, and then reveals the country where they served is on the left side. Kids will meet missionaries Lottie Moon, George Liele, Marie Buhlmaier, Adoniram Judson, Lilias Trotter, William Carey, Betty Greene, Lough Ah Fook, and Betsy Stockton.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Bryce and the Lost Pearl (Lightglider Origins) by Derek Holser & Zach Fay. “Life is full of responsibilities for fifteen-year-old Bryce Holland. Between working at his uncle’s horse stables, playing his newly earned spot on the varsity basketball team, and leading a Bible study, the juggling act of his life is on the verge of a crash. The stress of a season-ending ankle sprain and seeing the girl he likes with the rival player who caused the injury, pushes Bryce over the edge and into making bad decisions. When his uncle’s Clydesdale, which he rides without permission, gets away from him, the search to find the horse sends Bryce wandering deep into the woods and into the alternate realm of Glideon. There he meets other teens, who have been tasked with rescuing the Gliddles from Machines that threaten the land.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
10 Questions about Salvation: 30 Devotions for Kids, Teens, and Families by Champ Thornton. “Everyone has questions about religion, but when you’re young, finding the answers can be difficult. Some books are too complex and others don’t dive deeply enough into the faith topics that matter most to kids and teens. So where can young readers go to grow in their understanding of God and his word? The 10 Questions series invites children ages 8–14 to investigate spiritual questions and provides reliable theological and practical answers on their level. The first book, 10 Questions about Salvation, helps readers find joy, security, and hope in God’s gracious love. Each 10 Questions book presents one main topic, poses 10 vital questions on the topic, and answers each question through 3 short devotions. Written to be read alone or aloud with family, 10 Questions about Salvation is the perfect way to start or end each day reflecting on the things of God.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated by Chris Morphew. “Being a teenager has always been complicated. And these days, it’s even more so; mental-health struggles, social upheaval, climate issues, the rise of AI, wars and political polarization all add to the sense of uncertainty. In the midst of all that, can Jesus really make a positive difference in your life? What about when being a Christian puts you at odds with the values of your friends and with society in general? Is following Jesus worth it? Chris Morphew wants to show you why it absolutely is. However good you think the good news of Jesus is, it’s better. Discover how to follow Jesus in a way that genuinely impacts every area of your life for the better–and the lives of the people you know and love.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Life with Jesus: Youth Edition: A Discipleship Course for Teens by Tim Chester & Katy Morgan. “What is it actually like to live with Jesus at the center of your life? This 12-session youth discipleship course covers all the basics of what it means to be a Christian. It also explores what living your life with Jesus in charge actually looks like and why it’s ‘life to the full.’ These easy-to-lead sessions are designed to promote lively discussion and get into the practicalities of following Jesus in every area of life. Appropriate for teenagers who are still looking into becoming followers of Jesus as well as those who have already made a personal commitment.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
