Children's Bibles and Books by Topic
By Kevin Johnson
These book and Bible recommendations have been reviewed by leaders in children’s ministry, organized by Rev. Kevin Johnson, Director of Children’s Ministries with Discipleship Ministries.
Many of these books can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, The Upper Room Bookstore, and your local bookseller.
BIBLES FOR CHILDREN
- Baby Bible by Sarah Toulmin
- Bible Basics Storybook by Brittany Sky Stanley (Abingdon, 2019)
- Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook by Brittany Sky Stanley (Abingdon, 2020)
- Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Zondervan, 2010)
- The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories by Mary Batchelor – Bible stories for families to read together
- Classic Bible Stories for Little Children by Louie Stowell (Usborne Publishing, 2009)
- Contemporary English Version of the Holy Bible – Translated on a third- to fifth-grade level
- Deep Blue Bible - Common English translation on a fifth-grade level
- Deep Blue Bible Toddler Storybook by Daphna Flegal
- Deep Blue Bible Storybook - Miracles of Jesus by Brittany Sky
- Deep Blue Toddler Bible Storybook: Dive Deep Into God's Story—Board book by Kerry Blackwood, Daphna Flegal
- The Family Story Bible by Ralph Milton (Westminster-John Knox Press, 1997)
- A First Bible Story Book by Mary Hoffman (DK Children, 1998)
- The International Children’s Bible – Translation that children can read and understand independently
- The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones (ZonderKidz, 2007)
- Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories by Phil Vischer (VeggieTales)
- NIRV Adventure Bible for Early Readers (ZonderKidz, 2014
- Spark Story Bible - Storybook for toddlers through early readers
- New Revised Standard Version – Translation appropriate for higher level readers and for reading along with an adult
BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS
- Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden by Jane Ray (Eerdmans, 2005)
- The Ark by Matthew Reinhart pop-up book (Little Simon, 2005)
- At Break of Day by Nikki Grimes (Eerdmans, 1999)
- Cain and Abel: Finding the Fruits of Peace by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights, 2001)
- Christmas Love Letters from God: Bible Stories by Glenys Nellist (Zonderkidz, 2016)
- The Colt and the King by Marni McGee (Holiday House, 2002)
- The Day When God Made Church: A Child’s First Book About Pentecost by Rebekah McLeod Hutto (Paraclete Press, 2016)
- Deep Blue Bible Storybook Christmas by Daphna Flegal (Abingdon Press, 2016)
- Easter, Easter, Almost Here! by Kathleen Long Bostrom (board book) [Zonderkidz, 2005]
- Easter Love Letters from God: Bible Stories by Glenys Nellist (Zonderkidz, 2018)
- The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith (Oxford University Press, 1994)
- Exodus by Brian Wildsmith (PJ Library 1998)
- The Friendly Beasts by John J. Blumen (Augsburg Fortress, 1997)
- God Created by Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones (Augsburg Fortress, 2003)
- God’s Paintbrush by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights, 2004)
- The Gospels Unplugged by Lucy Moore (Barnabas for Children, 2011)
- J is for Jesus: An Easter Alphabet and Activity Book by Debbie Trafton O’Neal (Augsburg Fortress Press, 2006)
- Jesus by Brian Wildsmith (Oxford University Press, 2000)
- Jesus, The Word by Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones (Augsburg Fortress Press, 2005)
- Jonah and the Big Fish by Sekiya Miyoshi (Pilgrim Press, 2002)
- Joseph by Brian Wildsmith (Eerdmans, 1997)
- The Journey Children's Edition by Adam Hamilton, Daphna Flegal (Abingdon, 2011)
- Let’s Make a Joyful Noise: Celebrating Psalm 100 by Karma Wilson (Zonderkidz, 2014)
- The Lord’s Prayer illustrated by Tim Ladwig ()Eerdmans, 2002
- The Lord’s Prayer Unplugged by Lucy Moore (Barnabas for Children, 2012)
- The Miracles of Jesus by Tomie dePaola (Puffin Books, 2008)
- Morning Has Broken by Eleanor Farjeon (Eerdmans, 1996)
- The Moses Basket by Jenny Koralek (Eerdmans, 2003)
- The Nativity by Julie Vivas (Gulliver Books, 2005)
- Noah’s Ark by Jerry Pinkney (Chronicle Books, 2002)
- On Noah’s Ark by Jan Brett (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2003)
- Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Hélène Delval (Eerdmans, 2008)
- Psalm Twenty-Three by Tim Ladwig (Eerdmans, 1997
- Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown (HarperFestival, 2017)
- Star of Wonder by Leena Lane (Abingdon Press, 2007)
- Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist (Zonderkidz, 2016)
- The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt (Lion Pub Pic, 2002)
- Three in One: A Book About God by Lynne M. Lepley (Abingdon, 2004)
- Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary’s Christmas Gift by Jeannine Q. Norris (HarperCollins, 2008)
- 'Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2017)
- 'Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2021)
- 'Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2021)
HOLY SACRAMENTS
- Baptized in the Water: Becoming a Member of God's Family by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2022)
- Come Taste the Bread – A Storybook About the Lord’s Supper by Daphna Flegal (Abingdon Press, 2012)
- Come, Touch the Water – A Storybook About Jesus’ Baptism by Daphna Flegal (Abingdon Press, 2012)
- Touch the Water, Taste the Bread Ages 4-8, Download version, Cokesbury Kids site
- Water, Come Down! by Walter Wangerin, Jr. (Augsburg Books, 1999)
- What Is Baptism? Learning About Baptism in The United Methodist Church by G. Lynnette Reed (Abingdonn Press, 2006)
- What Is Communion? Learning About Communion in The United Methodist Church by G. Lynnette Reed (Abingdonn Press, 2006)
FAITH FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION
- Amos and Boris by William Steig (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009)
- Because Nothing Looks Like God by Lawrence Kushner (Jewish Lights, 2000)
- Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco (Puffin Books, 1998)
- Does God Have a Big Toe? Stories About Stories in the Bible by Marc Gellman (HarperCollins, 1989)
- First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac (Puffin Books, 1998)
- God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (board book available) [Candlewick, 2010]
- Good Night God by Holly Bea (HJ Kramer, 2000)
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (HarperFestival, 2007)
- I Wanted to Know All about God by Virginia Kroll (Eerdmans, 1997)
- I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story: An Illustrated Bible by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2021)
- If Jesus Came to My House by Joan G. Thomas (Allegro, 2015)
- In God’s Hands by Lawrence Kushner and Gary Schmidt (Jewish Lights, 2005)
- In God’s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights, 2004)
- Jubilee by Ellen Yeomans (Eerdmans, 2010)
- The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (Simon and Schuster, 2013)
- Looking for Angels by Valiska Gregory (Simon and Schuster, 1996)
- Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2014)
- Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2017)
- Miss Fannie’s Hat by Jan Karon (Puffin, 2001)
- My Spiritual Alphabet Book by Holly Bea (HJ Kramer, 2000)
- Old Turtle by Douglas Wood (Scholastic, 2003)
- Saint Francis by Brian Wildsmith (Eerdmans, 1996)
- Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer (Concordia, 2007)
- Sleep in Peace by Ingrid Hess (Herald Press, 2007)
- Snuggle Time Psalms (a Snuggle Time padded board book) by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz, 2016)
- Stories of the Saints by Joyce Denham (Paraclete 2007)
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox (Kane Miller, 1989)
- When Stories Fell Like Shooting Stars by Valiska Gregory (Simon and Schuster, 1997)
- Where Is God? by Lawrence and Karen Kushner (board book available) [Skylight Paths, 2000)
- Where Does God Live? By Holly Bea (H. J. Kramer, 1997)
MESSY CHURCH
- Christmas Family Time by Lucy Moore (Bible Reading Fellowship, 2016)
- Easter Family Time by Lucy Moore (Bible Reading Fellowship, 2016)
- Family Jesus Time by Lucy Moore (Bible Reading Fellowship)
- Family Prayer Time by Lucy Moore (Bible Reading Fellowship)
- Family Question Time by Lucy Moore (Bible Reading Fellowship)
- Messy Lyfe: Living Life with Jesus by Lucy Moore and Rob Hare (Messy Church, 2014)
STEWARDSHIP
- Amos and Boris by William Steig (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2009)
- Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier (Alladin, 2004)
- The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition by Ray Buckley (Abingdon, 1999)
- The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving by Ellen Sabin (Watering Can, 2004)
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Harper & Row, 1964)
- The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (Thomes Crowell, 1978)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1957)
- If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World’s People by David J. Smith (Allen & Unwin)
- Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback (Viking Books, 1999)
- Kiss for Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik (HarperCollins, 1984)
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1971)
- Old Turtle by Douglas Wood (Scholastic Press, 2007)
- One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway (Kids Can Press, 2020)
- Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin Books, 1998)
- The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau (Scholastic Press, 2001)
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister (NorthSouth, 2012)
- Stone Soup by Marcia Brown (Alladin Books, 1997)
- The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor (Alladin Books, 1998)
- Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts (Candlewick, 2009)
- 3 Pandas Planting by Megan Halsey (Two Lions, 2011)
- Rufus and Ryan Give Thanks by Kathleen Long Bostrom (WorthyKids, 2014)
- The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson (Puffin Books, 2005)
- Vegetable Dreams by Dawn Jeffers (Raven Tree Press, 2006)
- What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack (Schwartz & Wade, 2019)
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, 2012)
SOCIAL JUSTICE, COMPASSION, AND EMPATHY
- Antiracist Baby Board Book by Ibram X. Kendi (Kokila, 2020)
- Be Kind (Be Kind, 1) by Pat Zietlow Miller (Roaring Brook Press, 2018)
- Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Greenwillow Books, 2008)
- Brown v. Board of Education: A Fight for Simple Justice by Susan Goldman Rubin (Holiday House, 2016)
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (Reading Rainbow, 2007)
- Colour of Home by Mary Hoffman (Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2002)
- Don't Forget: A Video Book for Kids about Racism and the Kingdom of God by Leanne Hadley, Illustrated by Leah Barner Foster
- God's Big Plan by Elizabeth F. Caldwell (Flyway Books, 2019)
- Happy Right Now by Julie Berry (Sounds True, 2019)
- Here and Now by Julia Denos (Clarion Books, 2019)
- The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes (Clarion Books, 2004)
- I Am One: A Book of Action (I Am Books) by Susan Verde (Harry N. Abrams, 2020)
- I’m Your Child, God: Prayers for Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman (Little, Brown Books, 2002)
- The Lady in the Box by Ann McGovern (Turtle Books, 1999)
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015)
- Layla's Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie (Enchanted Lion Books, 2019)
- Loser by Jerry Spinelli (HarperCollins, 2018)
- Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1990)
- Oliver and Albert – Friends Forever by Jean Van Leeuwen (Dial, 2000)
- Our Big Home by Linda Glaser (First Avenue Editions, 2002)
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (Dial, 2018)
- Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh (Harry N. Abrams, 2014)
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (Scholastic, 2010)
- Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora (Little, Brown Books, 2018)
- Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen (Puffin Books, 1983)
- What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack (Schwartz & Wade, 2019)
- We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands / Tenemos el mundo entero en las manos (Bilingual) (Spanish and English Edition) by Rafael López (Scholastic, 2018)
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox (Kane Miller, 1989)
- You Matter by Christian Robinson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020)
FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION, AND PEACE
- Cain and Abel by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Jewish Lights, 2001)
- Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Zondervan, 2010)
- Christmas Moccasins by Ray Buckley (Abingdon, 2003)
- Granddad’s Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood (Candlewick, 2009)
- Peace Begins with You by Katherine Scholes (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1994)
- Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox (Dial Books, 2015)
- What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003)
RACIAL UNDERSTANDING AND RECONCILIATION
- A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara (Triangle Square, 2013)
- Alma and the Beast by Esmé Shapiro (Tundra Books, 2019)
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman (Dial Books, 1991)
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (Author) and Rafael López (Illustrator) [Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018]
- Deep Blue Life: Faith and Culture — Anti-Racism (Cokesbury Kids)
- Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1998)
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry (Author) and Vashti Harrison (Illustrator) [Kokila, 2019]
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers (Balzer + Bray, 2018)
- I Believe I Can by Grace Byers (Author) and Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator) [Balzer + Bray, 2020]
- A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory (A Kids Book About, Inc., 2019)
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015)
- Layla's Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie (Enchanted Lion Books, 2019)
- Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester, illustrated by Karen Barbour (Amistad, 2005)
- Look What Brown Can Do! by T Marie Harris, illustrated by Neda Ivanova (Sweetberry Books, 2015)
- Lovely by Jess Hong (Creston Books, 2017)
- Missing Daddy by Mariame Kobo, illustrated by Bria Royal (Haymarket Books , 2019)
- My Hair Is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Albert Whitman & Company, 2018)
- My Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcom Mitchell (Author) and Michael Robertson (Illustrator) [Orchard Books, 2020]
- My Rainy Day Rocket Ship by Markette Sheppard (Author) and Charly Palmer (Illustrator) [Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020]
- Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham (Dottir Press, 2018)
- The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2001)
- Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon (Author) and Dapo Adeola (Illustrator) [Puffin, 2019]
- Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh (Harry N. Abrams, 2014)
- Sesame Street’s We're Different, We're the Same by Bobbi Kates, illustrated by Joe Mathieu )(Random House, 1992
- Skin Again by bell hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017)
- Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin (Magination Press, 2019)
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o (Simon & Schuster, 2019)
- That’s Not Fair! Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice by Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Tenayuca, illustrated by Terry Ybáñez (Wings Press, 2008)
- We March by Shane W. Evans (Square Fish, 2016)
- Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez, illustrated by Jaime Kim (HarperCollins, 2019)
- Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Leuyen Pham (LB Kids, 2019)
ADOPTION
- Forever Family by Kelly & Lindsey Bullard (CreateSpace, 2017)
- God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren (Harper, 2009)
- Happy Adoption Day! by John McCutcheon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2001)
- I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze (EMK Press, 2003)
- I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose A. Lewis (Little Brown, 2000)
- I Wished for You: An Adoption Story by Marianne Richmond (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky , 2008)
- Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale by Karen Katz (Henry Holt, 1997)
- The Red Blanket by Eliza Thomas (Scholastic Press, 2004)
- Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis (HarperCollins, 2000)
- We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families by Todd Parr (Little, Brown, 2007)
- Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Beyond by Christine Mitchell (AuthorHouse, 2007)
- When I Met You: A Story of Russian Adoption by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista (DRT Press, 2005)
- Yes, I'm Adopted! by Sharlie Zinniger (Sharlie Zinniger, 2014)
CREATION
- Because Nothing Looks Like God by Lawrence Kushner and Karen Kushner (Jewish Lights, 2000)
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle and Bill Martin, Jr. (Henry Holt, 1996)
- First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac (Puffin Books, 1998)
- God Created by Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones (Augsburg Fortress, 2003)
- He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson (Scholastic, 2005)
- People by Peter Spier (Doubleday, 1988
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin Books, 1976)
- What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Clarion, 2008)
- Whoever You Are by Mem Fox (Clarion, 2006)
DIVORCE
- Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (Har)perCollins, 2000)
- Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown (Little, Brown, 1988)
- Fred Stays with Me! by Nancy Coffelt (Little, Brown, 2011)
- It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce by Vicki Lansky (Book Peddlars, 1997)
- Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse (Chronicle Books, 1998)
- Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids: Feeling at Home in One House or Two by Isolina Ricci (Touchstone, 2006)
- My Family's Changing by Pat Thomas (B.E.S., 1999)
- Papa, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse (Chronicle, 2005)
- Something to Count On by Emily Moore (Dutton, 1980)
- Standing On My Own Two Feet: A Child’s Affirmation of Love in the Midst of Divorce by Tamara Schmitz (Price Stern Sloan, 2008)
- Two Homes by Claire Masurel (Candlewick, 2003)
- Was It the Chocolate Pudding? A Story for Little Kids About Divorce by Sandra Levins and Bryan Langdo (Magination Press, 2005)
- What Can I Do? A Book for Children of Divorce by Danielle Lowry (Magination Press, 2013)
DISABILITIES
- Completely Emme: A Cerebral Palsy Story (Completely Me Series) by Dr. Justine Green (Bowker Identifier Service, 2021)
- Completely Matt: An ADHD Story (Completely Me Series) by Dr. Justine Green Green (Bowker Identifier Service, 2021)
- Completely Me (Completely Me Series) by Justine Green (Green Rose, 2020)
- Dan and Diesel by Charlotte Hudson (Red Fox, 2006)
- Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson (Schwartz & Wade, 2015)
- A Friend for Henry (Books About Making Friends, Children's Friendship Books, Autism Awareness Books for Kids) by Jenn Bailey (Chronicle, 2019)
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca (Innovation Press, 2019)
- Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor (Philomel Books, 2019)
- Keisha's Doors/las Puertas De Keisha: An Autism Story/una Historia De Autismo Libro Uno (Spanish and English Edition) by Marvie Ellis (Speech Kids Texas Press, 2015)
- Mr. Gringle's Magical Wheelchair by Natalie Gonchar (Brown Books, 2019)
- Moses Goes to a Concert by Isaac Millman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1988)
- My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy (Growing with Love) by Shaila Abdullah (Loving, Healing Press, 2019)
- The Push by Patrick Gray
- Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky (Tyndale Kids, 2018)
- Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis (Andersen Press, 2011)
- Uniquely Me by Trace Wilson (Mascott Books, 2016)
GRIEF, LOSS, AND TRAUMA
- Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger, and illustrated by Michael Hays (Aladdin, 1994)
- Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley (Lothrop,LeeandShepardBooks, 1984)
- Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban, and illustrated by Garth Williams (HarperFestival, 1995)
- Children Just Like Me by Anabel and Barnabas Kindersley (DK Children, 2016)
- The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia (Slack Inc, 1982)
- Feelings by Aliki (Greenwillow Books, 2019)
- Fire! Fire! by Gail Gibbons (HarperCollins, 1987)
- Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll by Franklyn M. Branley (HarperCollins, 1999)
- Fred the Fox Shouts NO! by Tatiana Matthews (CreateSpace, 2011)
- The Golden Cord: A Gentle Way to Explain Death to Children by Leanne Hadley (Good books to use at a funeral and PowerPoint available from leanne-hadley.com)
- The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel Books, 2010)
- Humphrey’s Bear by Jan Wahl, and illustrated by William Joyce (Henry Holt & Co., 1987)
- Hurricane by David Wiesner (Clarion, 1992)
- I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm (Pet death) [Dragonfly Books, 1988]
- I Miss You by Pat Thomas (B.E.S., 2001)
- Jim’s Dog Muffins by Miriam Cohen, and illustrated by Ronald Himler (Star Bright Books, 2008)
- The “Let’s Talk About it Series” by Mr. Rogers (A series of books on Death, divorce, blended families, extraordinary friends).
- Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen (Bantam, 1983)
- The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams (Picture Books, 1986)
- Mama Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse, and illustrated by Barbara Lavalle (Chronicle, 1998)
- The Memory Box by Mary Bahr (Albert Whitman & Company)
- Mom and the Polka-Dot Boo-Boo by Eileen Sutherland (American Cancer Society, 2007)
- Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss by Pat Schwiebert (Grief Watch, 2006)
- The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, and illustrated by Wayne Anderson (Puffin Books, 2003)
- To Everything by Bob Barner (Chronicle Books, 2004)
- Water Bugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney (Pilgrim Press, 1997)
INTERGENERATIONAL
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman (Dial Books, 1991)
- Gus and Grandpa by Claudia Mills, series of 10 books
- Listen to Me by Barbara Neasi (Children’s Press, 2001)
- The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy (Dial Books, 1985)
- The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
- Singing with Momma Lou by Linda Jacobs Altman
- What’s Happening to Grandpa? by Maria Shriver
- Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox (Kane Miller, 1989)
LIFE'S LESSONS
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman (Dial Books, 1991)
- A Child’s Book of Blessings compiled by Sabrina Dearborn
- Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (HarperCoiins, 2006)
- There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker (HarperCoiins, 2006)
MILITARY FAMILIES
- I Miss You! A Military Kid's Book About Deployment by Beth Andrews and Hawley Wright (Prometheus, 2007)
- A Paper Hug by Stephanie Skolmoski (Author), Anneliese Bennion (Illustrator) [Self-published, 2006]
- My Red Balloon by Eve Bunting (Boyd Mills, 2005)
- While You Are Away by Eileen Spinelli (Hyperions Books, 2004)
PARENT, CHILD, GRANDPARENT AND GRAND-PAL
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman (Random House 1960)
- God Made Daddy Special by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz 2018)
- God Made Mommy Special by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz 2018)
- Grandma Snuggles by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz 2020)
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (Walker Books)
- The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster and Chris Raschka (Hyperion, 2005)
- Joy! by Joyce Carol Thomas
- Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse (Chronicle Books, 1998)
- I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt (Scholastic, 2004)
- Lucky Pennies and Hot Chocolate by Carol Diggory Shields, Hiroe Nakata (Illustrations) [Dutton, 2000]
- My Grandma / Mi Abuelita by Ginger Foglesong Guy (Greenwilllow Books, 2007)
- Papa, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse (Chronicle, 2005)
- The Wonder That Is You by Glenys Nellist (ZonderKidz 2019)
Rev. Kevin Johnson is the Director, Children’s Ministries for Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship at Discipleship Ministries. Kevin’s hero Fred Rogers suggests that we, “listen to the children, learn about them, learn from them. Think of the children first.” This quote defines Rev. Kev’s approach to ministry. Kevin, an ordained elder of the Kentucky Annual Conference, has over fifteen years of ministry experience in which he has thought of the children first. Prior to ministry, Kevin worked with children in the hospital setting and in group homes for emotionally and physically abused children.
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