Books for Young Children

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.