Religious-based picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Religion-Based Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Branch: A Resurrection Story
by Rebecca Janni (Author), Michelle Carlos (Illustrator)
Summary: This picture book, beautifully illustrated in watercolor, uses the metaphor of a family tree to trace the biblical story from Creation through the Resurrection of Jesus, connecting generations of ancestors as the story continues.
It is told in poetic prose with the book using written and visual symbolism and imagery. Plants, animals, and other elements of nature are intertwined throughout the story.
Comments: This would be a useful book for homeschoolers and parochial teachers to teach about the stories of the Bible, genealogy, or the connection between the Old and New Testaments.
Because it is more abstract, I found it to be better suited for older elementary students and beyond.
The backmatter provides more information about Scripture references and symbolism along with a note from both the author and illustrator.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).
*I received a free copy of this book.
Little Monk Writes Rain
by Hsu-Kung Liu (Author), Rachel Wang Yung-Hsin (Translator)
Summary: Little Monk is not able to read. He goes to Old Monk, who teaches him the character for rain. He practices calligraphy every day, always only writing the character for rain.
As he grows to become a man now called Big Monk, he still cannot read but continues to write rain. A drought comes to the land, and people ask the monks for aid. Will Big Monk be able to help?
Comments: Although the monk could not read or study the Buddhist scriptures, he is able to help those around him through his simplicity, persistence, and faith.
This book is read vertically. The illustrations are created with watercolor and ink and beautifully complement the story with their gentle pastel colors.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Abigail and the Waterfall: Loving God’s Good Earth
by Sandra L. Richter (Author), Michael Corsini (Illustrator)
Summary: Every first Saturday of the month, a family hikes through the forest, appreciating the beauty of nature around them. They sit by a creek having a picnic while listening to the sound of the water. They make sure to pick up all their trash before they leave.
They continue to their favorite spot: a waterfall. After enjoying its splendor and the plants and animals that live around it, they hike back to the car, grateful for the chance to see all the beautiful plants and animals along the way.
Comments: The text is sprinkled with nature-based Bible quotes and ways that we can take care of the earth.
There is “A Note From the Author” at the back of the book on ways to take care of the earth.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link)..
*I received a free copy of this book.
The Greatest River
by Namita Moolani Mehra (Author), Khoa Le (Illustrator)
Summary: Ananda, a young girl, listens to her sick mother talk about the legend of the Ganga, a holy river that heals those who bathe in its waters. Ananda accompanies her aunt, Maasi, to bathe in the Ganges River in India and experiences a spiritual connection.
Comments: The author’s note explains that at 13, she traveled from New York with her mother to bathe in the sacred river.
Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).
Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer
by Helen Lee (Author), Shin Maeng (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Kaylee reads the newspaper daily with her grandfather, Halbi. While they come across funny stories and various news articles, Kaylee often worries about the children facing tragedy and hardship. They cut out those articles and pin them on a large world map on the wall. Together, she and her grandfather pray for those children.
Comments: The back includes a note from the author, who shares how she prays for others around the world.
I believe this book could enhance a parochial unit of study focused on prayers said aloud together (Tongsung kido in Korean).
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).
*I received a free copy of this book.
Penny Preaches
by Amy Dixon (Author), Rob Dixon (Author), Jennifer Davison (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Penny enjoys everything about Sundays, especially attending church. Her favorite part is hearing the sermons. Inspired, she puts together what she wants to say and preaches to her dolls and then her friends, with results she was not expecting. Couldn’t girls be preachers?
Her parents take Penny to a church next Sunday to hear Pastor Sarah. Will Penny be inspired once again to become a preacher?
Comments: An author’s note in the back section has more information on the topic.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page (paid link).
*I was sent a complimentary copy of this book.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.