With Easter quickly approaching, I’m always looking for creative ways to talk about the death and resurrection of Jesus with my children. One of the easiest ways, besides reading it from a children’s bible, I’ve found is to read books or watch movies together. Below are a few resources (with online descriptions) that our family has enjoyed over the years. Maybe you can find a few to use with your family over the next few weeks.
Easter Books
The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs
A farmer’s daughter receives a mysterious gift which she neglects and then discards, only to find out on Easter morning how special it is. Bible verses link the story to the life of Jesus.
The Tales of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
Once upon a mountaintop, three trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. As the years pass, “the three trees nearly forgot their dreams.” Eventually, each tree gets its wish, although not in the way it had foreseen. They discover that things turned out just the way they should have. Readers will be reminded that God has plans for every one of his creations, that He never loses sight any of us.
Benjamin’s Box by Melody Carlson, Jack Stockman (Illustrator)
This tale of a child following Jesus during biblical times to find out who he is, will teach your children lessons from the Bible you’ll want to share the whole Easter season. This story goes along with the Resurrection Eggs.
Plastic carton with 12 eggs each with objects that tell the story of Easter.
Easter Bunny, Are You For Real? by Harold Myra, Jane Kurisu
Easter eggs – Easter bunnies – Easter parades – what is Easter all about? This book helps parents teach their children to see beyond the commercialism of Easter. It gives a simple explanation of Jesus’ death and how he rose from the grave. It also explains how celebrating Spring (new baby animals and flowers and trees blooming) “is God’s picture of Jesus rising from the dead as all of Nature comes to life again”
The Big God Story by Michelle Anthony
In this fast-paced book, you’ll journey from Genesis to Revelation, seeing the many ways God has shown us His love and redemption throughout history!
The Easter Angels by Bob Hartman
In this moving retelling, Bob Hartman gets right to the heart of the Easter story—evoking its pain, its loneliness and, at last, its unexpected joy. The changing mood of the story is reflected in Tim Jonke’s dramatic and powerful illustrations.
The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier, Paul Maier, Frank Ordaz
Impressively enhanced with museum quality artwork, The Very First Easter has as its principle focus the story of Easter and the trial, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God’s plan for the salvation of mankind through Jesus Christ is showcased in a perfect picture book format for young readers.
The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry
Here’s an easy-to-understand presentation of the Easter story for your little ones! The tale of Christ’s death and resurrection is told in 200 simple words that are gentle enough for even the youngest readers.
Easter Movies
Most of the short scenes from our Easter Scene It game last Friday night at the Family Easter Celebration were from the following movies.
This is a three-hour epic feature on the story of Jesus’ life as described by His disciple John from the New Testament book of John.
Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion.
Read and Share Bible – Easter Version
Animated straight from the pages of Gwen Ellis’s Read and Share Bible, this uninterrupted presentation tells the story of Jesus’ last and greatest week on Earth.
This glorious epic is an inspiring, grand-scale recreation of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from His humble birth and teachings to His crucifixion and ultimate Resurrection.
Jesus Film or Jesus Film for Kids
This classic film portrays 3½ years of Jesus’ ministry as told in the Gospel of Luke from the Good News and King James translations of the Bible.
If you have a favorite Easter book or movie not listed here, please share it with us.
