Are you a parent of a preschooler who is looking to add new books to your reading list in 2020 about God and faith? Check out these 5 books that I love that are great for that preschool child in your life!
1. The Beginner’s Bible
This may sound like a given, but I cannot stress the importance enough of reading the Bible to your preschooler. The Beginner’s Bible is a fun picture book that tells many Bible favorites in ways that preschoolers (and even younger elementary children) can understand. It helps them grasp the main concept of some of our most loved stories of God’s Word. Grab a copy for your little one if you don’t already have one! (The Beginner’s Bible is what we give to our 2-year olds at church every new school year and I highly recommend it).
2. If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart, Jill Roman Lord
Helping your little one understand that Jesus is always with them is so important. And what’s better is helping them understand that when Jesus lives inside their heart, amazing things will happen. In this book, Jill Roman Lord helps preschoolers understand that even some of the most simple actions can show others the love of Jesus. My favorite quote from the book is, “If Jesus lived inside my heart, would other people know! Perhaps He’d use all parts of me to love and shine and glow!” This book is precious and will help instill a foundation of the love of Jesus inside their little hearts.
3. Snuggle Time Prayers, Glenys Nellist
Glenys Nellist is a wonderful children’s author who has written many books for children about God and faith. Snuggle Time Prayers is one of five in the Snuggle Time series. This book is a great one for snuggling up with your preschooler at bedtime, reading a Scripture verse, and then reading the bedtime prayer. One of my favorite quotes from the book is: “God, I know you love me; and by my side you’ll stay. Thanks for watching over me in your special way.” Another powerful reminder for preschoolers that God is always with them!
4. When I Pray for You, Matthew Paul Turner
This book would make a great gift for a baby shower or preschooler’s birthday! In this book, Matthew Paul Turner speaks to preschoolers through the eyes of a parent. He helps little ones to know that their parents are always praying for them. In every situation, he shows that parents are praying for them and that they love them. Knowing this will bring comfort to your preschooler! (You might even shed a tear reading this to them as you read about all the ways we pray for our kids!)
5. Wise for Salvation, Christie Thomas
Here is a practical devotional book for preschoolers and their parents! Christie Thomas includes stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Each week focuses on one passage and includes five days of activities that you can do with your preschooler that’s related to that passage. Repetition is a must for preschoolers and their learning and by focusing on one passage for a whole week, it helps instill that message into them. Great daily devotional for little ones!
Bonus Book Recommendations!
Breakfast with Jesus: 100 Devotions for Kids About the Life of Jesus, Vanessa Myers
This is a book I have written that tells children all about the life of Jesus: from His birth to His ascension. Each day features a Scripture passage, devotion, prayer, and a Follow Me activity (a way they can follow Jesus that day). While this book is geared for elementary age children, I have had parents with older preschoolers reading it to their children and helping them understand the stories of Jesus.
Scribble Stones, Diane Alber
This book is not about faith, but I thought this was a super cute book and makes for a fun activity with your preschooler! Diane writes about a rock who was the last one picked and then is only used as a paper weight on a desk. Then the rock encounters “scribbles” that are used on paper. Then the rock helps them by allowing them to scribble on him. I love this book because I love to paint rocks (and so do my kids!). Rock painting is a fun and inexpensive activity to do with your little ones. You can even take a Christian turn on this and paint rocks related to God (cross, heart, Scripture verse, etc). Check out this book for a fun day of rock painting with your preschooler!
Looking for some elementary school age recommendations as well?
See my round-up of 5 Books For Kids to Read in 2020 (Preschool Edition)