10+ Best Christian Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for engaging Christian books for 5-year-olds that blend fun storytelling with spiritual values? Finding the right books can be a delightful journey into the world of faith-based learning. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or educator, these carefully selected reads offer wonderful opportunities to introduce young minds to Christian teachings. Keep reading to discover a variety of Christian books perfect for 5-year-olds, each crafted to captivate and educate in equal measure.

Fun Christian Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Beginner's Bible by Kelly Pulley (Illustrator)
  • Genre(s): Bible Stories, Children’s Literature
  • Synopsis: This book offers a collection of well-known Bible stories, from Genesis to Revelation, all simplified for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces major biblical stories in a colorful and accessible way, encouraging early reading skills and spiritual education.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are just starting to read and families looking to introduce their kids to biblical stories.

• God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren, art by Laura J. Bryant
  • Genre(s): Christian Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A charming story about a little bear cub who learns from Mama Bear how special and loved she is, emphasizing that God created her as a unique individual.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartwarming story that helps reinforce a child's self-worth and understanding of being loved by their parents and God.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy bedtime stories and parents who wish to affirm the value and uniqueness of their child.

• If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart by Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Amy Wummer
  • Genre(s): Christian Living, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A rhyming book that explores the concept of Jesus living inside one's heart and how this influences daily actions and thoughts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching children about the presence and influence of Jesus in a very understandable and relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to explore their faith and learn about the impact of spiritual values in daily life.

• The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrations by Tim Jonke
  • Genre(s): Christian Folklore, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This folktale tells the story of three trees on a mountain, each with grand dreams, that eventually discover their true purpose in a special way related to Jesus Christ.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a profound message about God’s plan for everyone, wrapped in a simple and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Children who love stories with moral lessons and those interested in understanding how they can be part of a bigger plan.

• God's Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Through beautiful illustrations and a simple, heartfelt message, this book teaches about forgiveness, compassion, and the joy that comes when we treat all people as brothers and sisters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a universal story that transcends specific religious teachings and focuses on the values of love and unity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers and families who value inclusivity and want to teach principles of kindness and empathy.

Educational Christian Books for 5-Year-Olds

• When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by David Catrow
  • Genre(s): Christian Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book celebrates the individuality and creativity of each child, emphasizing that God created each person with unique talents and a purpose.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, creativity, individuality
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a colorful and poetic reminder of each child's uniqueness and potential, encouraging them to embrace their God-given talents.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are discovering their own abilities and interests.

• Found: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago
  • Genre(s): Christian, Board Book
  • Synopsis: A serene and comforting illustration of Psalm 23, tailored to make the scripture accessible and soothing for young minds.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Memory, spiritual development, emotional comfort
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gentle introduction to a beloved Psalm, fostering early biblical literacy and spiritual peace.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers needing a calming bedtime story or introduction to Bible verses.

• Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper
  • Genre(s): Christian Living, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A young boy living in the city searches for signs of God's presence in his daily life, learning that God can be seen in kindness, patience, and love shown by the people around him.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation, understanding of abstract concepts, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It conveys a meaningful message about finding God in everyday acts of goodness and the behavior of others.
  • Perfect for: Children curious about God and how to see His influence in the world around them.

• God's Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
  • Genre(s): Christian Theology, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book celebrates diversity and God’s desire for His people to enjoy being delightfully different yet all part of the same family.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding diversity, social awareness, community values
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to teach children about diversity and God's love for all of His creations.
  • Perfect for: Families looking to discuss diversity and inclusion from a Christian perspective.

• The Moon is Always Round by Jonathan Gibson, illustrated by Joe Hox
  • Genre(s): Christian Faith, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A poignant story told from a young boy’s perspective that aims to explain the goodness of God through the phases of the moon, even in times of great sadness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional processing, understanding of metaphors, faith during hardship
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique approach to discussing difficult topics like loss and grief while reaffirming faith.
  • Perfect for: Children and families dealing with loss or seeking comfort in faith through challenging times.

Challenging Christian Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
  • Genre(s): Christian Theology, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book takes children on a journey from the Garden of Eden to God's perfect new creation, explaining the significance of the curtain in the temple and what Jesus' sacrifice means for humanity.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex theological concepts such as sin, redemption, and atonement in a way that is understandable for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a clear and biblical explanation of why Jesus died and rose again, highlighting God's plan of salvation.
  • Perfect for: Young theologians eager to understand deep Christian doctrines in a simplified manner.

• The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden by Kevin DeYoung, illustrated by Don Clark
  • Genre(s): Christian Theology, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book narrates the sweeping tale of the Bible's overarching narrative, focusing on God's plan of salvation through Jesus, from creation to the cross.
  • Why this book is challenging: It compresses the entire biblical narrative into a format that challenges young minds to grasp the breadth and depth of Scripture.
  • Why we recommend this book: It connects the dots of the major stories of the Bible in a beautifully illustrated and compelling way, making the gospel message accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Children who are ready for a big-picture view of the Bible's story.

• The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New by Marty Machowski, illustrated by Andy McGuire
  • Genre(s): Christian Theology, Educational
  • Synopsis: This illustrated children’s book introduces abstract theological concepts in a systematic theology format that is designed to be accessible for children.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses a more academic approach to teaching theology, introducing terms and concepts that are typically reserved for older students.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great resource for deepening children's understanding of Christian beliefs and encourages curiosity about God, the Bible, and the fundamentals of faith.
  • Perfect for: Young scholars who enjoy digging deeper into how and why things are, especially in their faith.

• The Storm That Stopped: A True Story About Who Jesus Really Is by Alison Mitchell, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
  • Genre(s): Bible Stories, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Based on the account of Jesus calming the storm from the Bible, this book vividly illustrates the power and authority of Jesus over nature.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents a miracle of Jesus in a dramatic, detailed manner that goes beyond a simple storytelling, challenging young readers to think about the implications of Jesus' divine nature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully showcases the power of Jesus and helps children understand His divine nature and authority in a relatable story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stories of adventure and are fascinated by the miracles of Jesus.

• The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith by Champ Thornton
  • Genre(s): Educational, Christian Living
  • Synopsis: This book is a fun-filled explorer’s guide to the Bible, church history, and life for children, filled with fascinating facts and engaging activities.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes hands-on activities, thought-provoking stories, and deep truths about life, challenging kids to not only read but also apply what they learn.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages active learning and provides a hands-on approach to understanding the Bible and Christian history.
  • Perfect for: Energetic learners who thrive on interaction and activity while exploring their faith.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little one develop good reading habits while enjoying some wonderful Christian books, here are a few fun exercises you can try. These activities are designed to make reading a delightful and meaningful part of your 5-year-old's daily routine.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read a Christian book together.
  • How it helps: Encourages routine and instills the habit of reading regularly.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time each day, like right before bed or after lunch, to make this a special reading time.

• Act Out Stories
  • What it is: After reading a story, act it out together using simple costumes or props.
  • How it helps: Helps children remember the stories and themes by bringing them to life.
  • Tips: Keep it fun and simple; let your child use their imagination to fill in the details.

• Story Sequencing Cards
  • What it is: Create cards that depict scenes from a story and ask your child to arrange them in order.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps with understanding the sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use large pictures and limit the number of scenes to keep it manageable for your child.

• Picture Reading
  • What it is: Before reading the words, let your child explain what's happening in the pictures of the book.
  • How it helps: Develops pre-reading skills and helps children connect visuals to words.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses and deeper thinking.

• Interactive Reading Questions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to ask questions about the story or what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Promotes engagement and critical thinking.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and related to the story to maintain interest and understanding.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: After reading, encourage your child to pretend to be one of the characters.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the character's actions and decisions.
  • Tips: Help your child think about what they would do in the character’s situation.

• Memory Verse Games
  • What it is: Turn key Bible verses from the stories into fun memory games.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the spiritual lessons and improves memory.
  • Tips: Use repetitive games like matching cards or fill-in-the-blanks to make memorization easier.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a memorable and interactive experience. Try incorporating these activities into your reading routine and watch your little one not only develop good reading habits but also grow in their understanding and appreciation of Christian values. Happy reading!