A friend recently asked me for a list of our favorite books for young children. After we moved, and I was putting books back on shelves, I took the opportunity to write down our favorites.
Here they are in case anyone else is interested. Eventually, when I have more time (ha!) I would like to write descriptions of all of them and why we liked them. I hope some of you might find the list helpful.
Bible Story Books
- The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth Taylor (suitable from birth up)
- Jesus Bible Storybook – Every page whispers His name (age 4+)
- Children’s Everyday Bible by Chancellor and Leplar(age 3+)
- My Creation Bible, by Ken Ham
- The Beginner’s Bible – Catherine DeVries, editor (great for kids just learning to read)
Devotional Type Books
- Leading Little Ones to God* by Marian Schoolland
Toddlers (approx. 5 and under)
- Mommy May I Hug the Fishes? By Crystal Bowman (ages 2-4)
- Sophie and Sam – When to Say “Yes” and When to Say “No” by Tori Cloud
- Jesus Loves the Little Children, Jesus is With Me, Jesus Loves Me (series of 3 board books) by Debby Anderson
- Little Blessings Board books (God Loves You, Heaven, etc.) by Kathleen Long Bostrum
- God Gives us Water/God Gives Us Sunshine by Ruth McNaughton Hinds (Tiny Thoughts Books)
Young Children (4 and up?)
- I Love My Bible, Jesus is Coming Back, God Knows My Name by Debby Anderson (and others in the series)
- Jungle Doctor Picture Fables by Paul White
- Solomon and Friends Learn about (Prayer, Forgiveness, Trusting God, Wonderfully Made) published by Awana
- You are Special by Max Lucado (and others in the series)
- What Happens When I Talk to God? – The Power of Prayer for Boys and Girls by Stormie Omartian
- What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs by John Morris and Ken Ham
- The Answers Book for Kids – volumes 1 to 4 – Published by Master Books
- From Akebu to Zaptoec by June Hathersmith
Especially for Girls
- I’d Be Your Princess – A Royal Tale of Godly Character by Kathryn O’Brien
- A Little Girl After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George
- God’s Wisdom for Little Girls – Virtues and Fun from Proverbs 31 by Elizabeth George
Especially for Boys
- A Little Boy After God’s Own Heart by Jim and Elizabeth George
- God’s Wisdom for Little Boys – Character Building Fun from Proverbs by Jim and Elizabeth George
- Character Building – toddlers and up
- Right Choices by Kenneth Taylor
- Storytime with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin (for ages 4-8)
- Wisdom and the Millers by Mildred A. Martin (for ages 6-13)
- Prudence and the Millers by Mildred A. Martin (for ages 7-14)
Older Kids
- Missionary Stories with the Millers* by Mildred A. Martin (pre-read as some are quite “intense”)
- Window on the World*
- What God Has Always Wanted by Charles F. Boyd
- Christian Heroes – Then and Now series put out by YWAM – We have read 2 of them (Gladys Aylward and George Muller) which were part of Sonlight curriculum and they were awesome!
- Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson– these are awesome stories about missionaries and famous Christians
- Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor (we are currently reading this to the kids and even Joel is enjoying it)
- Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder AND prequels – Martha, Charlotte and Caroline series by various authors
Non-Christian but quality and fun books
- I Love You As Much by Laura Krauss Melmed
- My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh by Nick Sharratt
- Flicka, Ricka and Dicka stories by Maj Lindman
- Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine or pretty much anything by Robert McClosky
- Little Bear I can read books by Else Holmelund Minarik
- James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
- The Bunny Book (Little Golden Book Classic) by Patsy Scarry
- Little Mommy (Little Golden Golden Book Classic) by Sharon Kane
- (many of the Little Golden Books are very good. We have A Family Treasury of Little Golden Books*
- Richard Scarry’s Please and Thank You Book (plus all his other wonderful books!)
- Any picture books by Kim Lewis
- Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman (these are originals)
- The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord
- The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (original)
- Franklin books (series) by Brenda Clark
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
- Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan
- The Bear Snores On and others by Karma Wilson
- Freddie the Teddy by Audrey Tarrant
- A Squash and a Squeeze, Monkey Puzzle, and The Tickle Book by Julia Donaldson, Illus. by Axel Scheffler
- Time for Bed by Mem Fox
- The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook* by Joyce Lankester Brisley
Children’s music CDs
- Colin Buchanan – our favourite!
- Buddy Davis
- Steve Green – Hide ‘em in Your Heart songs
- Music Machine
*This indicates that this book is part of a Sonlight Core Curriculum. I highly recommend most all of the books that Sonlight includes in their curriculum. I suggest going on www.sonlight.com and ordering a free catalog. This will be a great resource to browse through for educational and Christian books.
