10+ Best Easter Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Easter books for 3-year-olds to make this spring even more special? Look no further! Whether you're looking to start new traditions or simply add to your little one's growing library, we've got a delightful selection to choose from. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of Easter books that are sure to captivate your toddler's imagination and bring joy to your Easter celebrations.

Fun Easter Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: In this charming book, Llama Llama experiences the excitement of Easter, complete with eggs, candy, and fluffy surprises.
  • Why we recommend this book: The familiar character of Llama Llama makes this an instant hit with kids, introducing them to Easter traditions in a fun, relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy sweet stories and are new to the concept of Easter.

• Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This delightful board book from the "If You Give..." series shows Mouse as he discovers colorful eggs around the house.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages participation and prediction as children guess who's leaving the Easter eggs. It's also great for teaching colors.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and playful mysteries.

• Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure by Kimberly and James Dean
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Pete the Cat takes on the groovy task of helping the Easter Bunny get ready for Easter.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and lively story that encourages creativity and helping others, all wrapped up with a cool, cat-tacular twist.
  • Perfect for: Young Pete the Cat fans and any child who loves a fun adventure story.

• The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Kathy Couri
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A magical tale following the excitement and anticipation of Easter, styled after the classic Christmas poem "The Night Before Christmas."
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the joy and magic of Easter Eve, making it a perfect bedtime story for the night before Easter.
  • Perfect for: Children who love holiday traditions and the excitement of awaiting a special day.

• Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny! by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: Duck and Goose try to find a perfect hiding spot so they can see the Easter Bunny as he arrives.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a cute story of friendship and Easter excitement, with engaging, colorful illustrations that hold the attention of young readers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy stories about friendship and playful adventures.

Educational Easter Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Lift-the-Flap
  • Synopsis: A playful lift-the-flap book where readers help Baby find her hidden Easter eggs throughout the house.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Object permanence, motor skills, problem solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and engaging, making it a fun way for toddlers to explore and learn.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love interactive and playful book experiences.

• Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: Ollie and his gosling friends color Easter eggs, but mischievous Ollie has his own plans for the eggs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, sharing, social development
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines a cute story with lessons about sharing and cooperation.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with animals and learning about social interactions.

• Biscuit's Pet & Play Easter by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Touch and Feel
  • Synopsis: Biscuit the puppy explores Easter through touch-and-feel elements like fluffy chicks and smooth eggs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, vocabulary development, early reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sensory delight that encourages tactile exploration and engagement.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy sensory play and cute stories.

• Easter Bugs: A Springtime Pop-up by David A Carter by David A. Carter
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Pop-Up Book
  • Synopsis: This book features bright, engaging pop-ups of bugs that spring into action, themed around Easter.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, visual discrimination, surprise and predictability
  • Why we recommend this book: The pop-up elements add an element of surprise and delight, making it a fun read for young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive books and are fascinated by bugs and pop-ups.

• It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: PJ Funnybunny tries out being other animals but ultimately discovers there's no place like home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Identity, self-acceptance, family values
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and heartwarming story that teaches the importance of being oneself.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring their own identity and those who enjoy a good laugh.

Challenging Easter Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Hoppi, the young rabbit, hopes to become the Easter Bunny someday. He tries to make the most beautiful Easter egg to win the spot of helping the Easter Bunny this Easter.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story introduces concepts of competition and self-worth, layered with detailed illustrations that require attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated book that teaches lessons about hard work and finding one’s own path to success.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy visually stimulating stories and learning about perseverance and creativity.

• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This classic tale tells the story of a little country bunny who becomes one of the five Easter Bunnies despite being a mother of twenty-one cottontail babies.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of responsibility, motherhood, and merit, which are advanced concepts for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming story that emphasizes the importance of determination and equal opportunity.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate stories of triumph and the joys of nurturing roles.

• Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Folklore
  • Synopsis: Babushka, known for her beautifully painted eggs, finds a wounded goose, which lays a miraculously unbroken egg each morning. This leads to an Easter miracle.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book incorporates elements of Russian culture and detailed, folk art-style illustrations that can introduce complex visual themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a touching story that blends art, culture, and the magic of kindness, providing a rich, cultural perspective.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in other cultures and stories that intertwine nature and magic.

• Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: Max and Ruby go on an Easter egg hunt. Max finds a chocolate chicken and must outsmart his sister Ruby to keep it.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sibling dynamics and strategic thinking presented are sophisticated concepts wrapped in a simple story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of fairness and sibling rivalry in a light-hearted, relatable way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy playful stories and are learning about sharing and relationships.

• The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: A lonely little bunny finds an egg, and he speculates about what could be inside. He meets a special friend when the egg hatches.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of suspense and the development of a friendship from curiosity invoke deeper thinking and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic story from the author of "Goodnight Moon" teaches about patience and the joy of unexpected friendships.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love timeless stories with gentle morals and charming characters.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading with your little one can be a delightful way to explore the colorful and vibrant themes of Easter. Here are some engaging exercises to incorporate while reading Easter books with your 3-year-old. These activities are designed to enhance their reading experience and instill good reading habits early on.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of the Easter book before reading and discuss the pictures.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.

• Spot the Bunny
  • What it is: Find and point out the bunnies or Easter eggs hidden in the book's illustrations.
  • How it helps: Improves observational skills and focus.
  • Tips: Celebrate each discovery with a small cheer to keep the activity fun and engaging.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory.
  • Tips: Use prompts like “What happened first?” or “Who was in the story?” to guide the retelling.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and come up with words that rhyme with key words from the story.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and language skills.
  • Tips: Start by rhyming with simple words and gradually introduce more complex ones.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child, each of you playing different characters.
  • How it helps: Boosts empathy and understanding of character emotions and actions.
  • Tips: Use simple props like hats or toys to make the role-play more exciting.

Incorporating these fun and simple exercises while reading Easter books with your 3-year-old can make reading time more interactive and enjoyable. These activities not only keep them engaged but also lay the groundwork for strong reading skills and a lifelong love for books. Happy reading this Easter!