Easter picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(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 Easter Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O .)
❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗
Sparrow’s Easter Garden
by Roger Hutchison (Author), Ag Jatkowska (Illustrator)
Summary: Sparrow returns to his garden in spring and finds that it is in disarray with weeds and dead plants. Mousie, Buck, and Turtle help to revive the space over the 40 days of Lent. All is going well until a storm on Good Friday damages some of the plants. The creatures persevere and get the garden ready again. On Easter, they experience a surprise.
Comments: This is a gentle introduction to the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Easter morning. It is a story about teamwork with each animal helping in its own unique way.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Chicka Chicka Peep Peep
by Julien Chung (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: The letters are curious to know what is in the pretty pink tree and slowly each goes up to see. Soon all are on the branches until there is a big sneeze.
Comments: This version of the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom series successfully maintains the rhythmic and rhyming structure that makes it a fun and musical read-aloud.
The story features lowercased letters while the front and back pasted down pages show both upper and lower letters for learning references.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Hap-Pea Easter
by Keith Baker (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Little peas are observing and participating with the arrival of spring. There is rain, blooming flowers, and time to color eggs. All help to decorate them for an Easter egg hunt.
Comments: This is a fun rhyming read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers with so much detail of the little peas on each page. This is part of the Little Peas series.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Dino-Easter (Dino-Holidays)
by Lisa Wheeler (Author), Barry Gott (Illustrator)
Summary: The dinosaurs decorate Easter eggs and hide them in the forest. They visit a candy factory to get candy to pass out and a clothing store to have outfits for the big Dino-Easter parade. Afterwards, they go on an Easter hunt and have a sweet celebration.
Comments: This is the traditional Dino signature of bouncy rhyming which makes it an exciting read-aloud.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Is This . . . Easter?
by Helen Yoon (Author, Illustrator)
Brief summary: A bear wearing bunny ears leaves an egg in the grass. The five dogs come across the egg, and all sniff it. Two pups decide it needed to be painted for Easter, while three want to make an omelet with it.
They argue back and forth, trying to persuade the other group that their idea is the correct decision. The bear returns and shows them how both sides can be accommodated in resolving their dispute.
Comments: I think this would be a lovely, humorous Easter read-aloud. Students could decide if the egg should be painted, eaten, or go with what the bear decided.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
We’re Going on an Egg Hunt
by Goldie Hawk (Author), Angie Rozelaar (Illustrator)
Summary: A trio of children with baskets are going through the countryside looking for eggs while encountering chickens, rabbits, and frogs along the way. They come across a garden full of flowers. When will they ever find the Easter eggs?
Comments: The illustrations are bright and large, making them perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. There are many fun onomatopoeias to say out loud and for little ones to repeat, making this a wonderful read-aloud.
This book is in the same spirit as the song “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” using similar rhythmic structure and repetition.
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
I Am NOT the Easter Bunny!
by T. L. McBeth (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: The narrator thinks they have spotted the Easter Bunny and keeps pointing out clues that indicate that indeed, the rabbit must be him. The rabbit always explains how he could not possibly be the Easter Bunny.
Comments: The narrator is in traditional text, while the Easter Bunny is in speech bubbles. This could be a cute and humorous read-aloud, with the students being the bunny and the reader playing the narrator.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt
by Zondervan (Author), Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator)
Brief summary: Fiona, a baby hippo, plans an Easter egg hunt for her baby friends at the zoo. She begins to hide the eggs with the help of her friend Rico when the swan asks them to watch her eggs while she gathers more grass and leaves.
Fiona accidentally mixes the Easter eggs with those of the swan, not realizing that she did not replace all six eggs back into the bird’s nest. This causes all of the zoo animals to search for the missing egg.
Comments: This story has a nice lesson of the importance of having the responsibility of looking after things entrusted in your care. The illustrations have detailed facial expressions.
This is part of the Fiona series based on a hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Easter on the Farm
by Phyllis Alsdurf (Author), Lisa Hunt (Illustrator)
Summary: A young girl visits her aunt and uncle’s farm to celebrate Easter. She experiences new life on the farm, from newborn lambs to budding flowers, and prepares for a community egg hunt. On Sunday, the young girl finds an Easter basket the next day, attends Easter service, and an Easter egg hunt.
Comments: The back section includes instructions for making eggshell critters and dyeing eggs with natural materials.
This is part of the Countryside Holidays series.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Elijah’s Easter Suit
by Brentom Jackson (Author), Emmanuel Boateng (Illustrator)
Summary: Elijah wants to find the perfect suit for Easter service but cannot find one that fits. He talks to Deacon Brown and Mother Green and gets an idea to sew his own suit collecting pieces of fabric from his family creating a patchwork sensation.
Comments: This is a lovely story about a young boy using a sewing machine, being resourceful, and creating something amazing.
Rating: 4/5📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Happy Easter from the Crayons
by Drew Daywalt (Author), Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)
Summary: In this festive installment, the crayons prepare for Easter by making various shapes to use on a large Easter egg.
Comments: This is a fun introduction to shapes and colors with the humor of the crayons. Oliver Jeffers’ minimalist illustrations against white make it best for toddlers who may be overwhelmed by busier and more detailed pages.
This small picture book(5.88 x 0.36 x 7.13 inches) could fit inside an Easter basket.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Easter (Happy Holidays! Series)
by Rebecca Sabelko (Author)
Summary: This early reader nonfiction chapter book has nonfiction text features explaining what Easter is and how it is celebrated.
Comments: A sight word chart is at the beginning with a photo glossary in the back.
This is a smaller hardcover book(5.22 x 0.07 x 8.59 inches).
This is a great option for holiday traditions units in K-1. It’s small for little hands and could be paired with a fictional picture book.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls
by Janie Emaus (Author), Bryan Langdo (Illustrator)
Summary: Michael texts the Easter Bunny to let him know that he has a new stepsister, Anna, who celebrates Passover but wants to make sure she gets something special in the Golden Egg since both holidays fall on the same day. The story follows the siblings as they hunt for the Easter Egg and Afikoman bag needed to celebrate the holidays.
Comments: This is a wonderful resource for interfaith families or classrooms looking to show how different spring traditions can coexist. The back includes a chicken soup recipe and a matzo balls recipe. There is a helpful glossary of Passover and Easter terms.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
Pick a Perfect Egg
by Patricia Toht (Author), Jarvis (Illustrator)
Summary: This beautiful digitally illustrated rhyming story begins with a mother and daughter going to the local farmer to pick out their eggs to decorate for Easter. They use natural coloring from plants, as well as dye tablets to color their eggs. The two decorate with care and then go to a festive egg hunt the next day.
Comments: This book does a wonderful job of highlighting natural coloring which I think would be a fun STEAM activity experimenting with colors in nature like beets. The illustrator captures the pastel colors of spring.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit
by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Summary: Pete wakes up on Easter morning and finds that his Easter basket is missing. He follows a trail of jellybeans to a friend’s house, but they haven’t seen it. Pete the Cat follows more candy trails, all leading to various friends, leaving Pete to wonder: Who has his basket?
Comments: This book has bonus goodies which include a poster in the front, stickers, and Easter cards. Cute book for a child’s Easter basket.
The fans of Pete the Cat series will enjoy the familiar groovy vibe and easy-to-follow mystery.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Peter Easter Frog
by Erin Dealey (Author), G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)
Summary: Peter decides he wants to have fun delivering Easter eggs. Along his way, he encounters several animals including a cow, turtle, and sheepdog who want to help too. They come across the Easter Bunny who is not happy with the help. Will they be able to change his mind?
Comments: This text is written in parts to the tune of “Here Comes Peter Cottontail with made-up words to fit the book’s theme. This is a humorous read-aloud that students will enjoy saying the fun words aloud.
This book was illustrated with mixed media.
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Bad Kitty Does Not Like Easter
by Nick Bruel (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Bad Kitty loves Easter eggs and wants to find them all, as they have candy inside. Although there are many blue, red, and purple eggs, she is determined to get the golden egg. She bypasses all of the other eggs in her search for the golden one. She is angry when she doesn’t find it right away and decides she now hates Easter eggs. Will she change her mind?
Comments: This Bad Kitty book has a wonderful message about valuing friendship and will make a fun read-aloud. The illustrations were inked and then colored digitally; they are a mix of traditional text and comic-style panels.
Rated: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Last One in Is a Rotten Egg!
by Diane deGroat (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Siblings Gilbert and Lola are happy that their cousin Wally is coming to visit. He decides not to go with them but off on his own. Meanwhile, opossum siblings and their friends look for the eggs. Lola finds the golden egg but can’t reach it. Her cousin grabs it and heads back to the starting line. Wally hurries back dropping all of his eggs while Gilbert and Lola pick them up including the golden one. Although Gilbert does receive the prize for the most eggs, he shows kindness towards his cousin.
Comments: This is an excellent teaching book for children about sportsmanship, rivalry, and empathy. It is part of the Gilbert and Friends series.
Rated: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Happy Easter, Curious George
by R. P. Anderson (Author), Mary O’Keefe Young (Illustrator)
Summary: George and the man with the yellow hat go to the park, where they find children flying kites, decorating Easter baskets, and having rolling egg races. He notices a table where people are dying eggs and tries it for the first time. He later sees a man lose his eggs all over the park and decides to help him recover his eggs. Will George be able to set everything right again?
Comments: George has another classic misunderstanding that toddlers and preschoolers will relate to. The story introduces the concept of mixing colors to create new ones, making it a great supplement for a classroom unit on colors.
Rated: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Easter Egg
by Jan Brett (Author, Illustrator)
Summary: Hoppi wants to have the best Easter egg and win the contest that will allow him to help the Easter Rabbit hide eggs. Hoppi goes to the various rabbits in the area also decorating various eggs such as carving, frosting, and painting them. Beginning to become discouraged, he decides to lie down under a tree to think, when he discovers a robin’s egg had fallen to the ground. He takes care of it, missing the contest.
Comments: Jan Brett’s illustrations are stunning with its decorated borders, watercolors, and gouache. There is a fold-out page at the end showing all of the rabbits’ finished eggs.
This story has a heartfelt message about kindness and generosity towards one another.
Rated: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs
by Janet Morgan Stoeke (Author)
Summary: Minerva Louise is enjoying a beautiful spring morning when she notices brightly colored eggs in very odd places. Worried that a hen has left her eggs unattended in the cold, Minerva Louise sits on them to keep them warm. As she finds more, she informs her friends in the hen house to come out. They eventually see the farm children gathering the eggs in baskets and decide everything is okay; after all, that’s just what farmers do!
Comments: I love this dramatic irony where the reader knows more than the character. This would make a hilarious read-aloud for young primary students.
The large text at the bottom of each page makes it an excellent choice for beginning readers.
Rated: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Story of the Easter Bunny
by Katherine Tegen (Author), Sally Anne Lambert (Illustrator)
Summary: A little white rabbit watches an elderly couple paint Easter eggs, weave baskets, and make chocolate eggs. The couple would then deliver these baskets to the children in the village. When the elderly couple was unable to do this he took over the chore every Easter morning and became known as the Easter Bunny.
Comments: This is a wonderful original story by Katherine Tegen that feels like folklore. The watercolor illustrations with pastel colors give it a nostalgic feel. It is a perfect pick for children who are curious about how the little white bunny became the Easter Bunny.
Rated: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
The Night Before Easter
by Natasha Wing (Author), Kathy Couri (Illustrator)
Summary: On Easter Eve, two children are sleeping when the Easter Bunny arrives and begins hiding eggs, filling baskets with treats, and leaving chocolate bunnies before vanishing at dawn while the little boy quietly watches the entire time.
Comments: This is part of Natasha Wing’s popular The Night Before series. It’s a fun, rhyming read-aloud that follows the rhythm of the classic Christmas poem, making it very catchy and easy for kids to follow along.
While the standard size is 8″x8″, you may occasionally find smaller gift-sized hardcover editions that are perfect for an Easter basket.
Rated: 4/5 📗📗📗📗
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
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.