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

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Easter books for 5-year-olds to fill your little one's basket with joy and imagination this spring? You've landed in just the right spot! Whether you're looking for a story to spark laughter or a tale to teach a gentle lesson, our curated lists have something that will catch the eye of every budding reader. Keep reading to discover our favorite Easter books for 5-year-olds, sure to add a touch of magic to your Easter celebrations.

Fun Easter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: This charming tale follows P.J. Funnybunny in his quest to discover which animal he'd rather be, only to learn that being himself is the best option.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses humor and a relatable character to teach important lessons about self-acceptance and appreciation of one's own identity.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy funny stories and are learning to appreciate their unique qualities.

• The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Hoppi, the young rabbit, hopes to make the best Easter egg and win a chance to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs. He discovers that the best reward is not winning, but doing something kind for someone else.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated story that encourages creativity and kindness, essential values for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animals and festive holiday tales.

• The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Kathy Couri
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A magical retelling of the classic Christmas story "The Night Before Christmas," set on the eve of Easter as children anticipate the arrival of the Easter Bunny.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the excitement and joy of Easter in a way that's easy for young children to relate to and enjoy.
  • Perfect for: Children eagerly awaiting Easter morning and the fun of Easter egg hunts.

• Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Llama Llama experiences the fun of Easter, from Easter eggs to fluffy chicks. It's a simple, sweet story perfect for the youngest of readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, rhyming text makes it a delightful read-aloud that helps develop early reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy rhythmic stories and are just beginning to learn about Easter traditions.

• Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure by Kimberly and James Dean
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Pete the Cat takes on the mission of helping the Easter Bunny in this groovy adventure. Along the way, he decides to paint some eggs and even gets to wear a special Easter Bunny suit.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and helping others, wrapped up in a fun and funky story.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love quirky characters and a bit of adventure in their stories.

Educational Easter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This lively story follows the Easter Bunny as he evades various traps set by children eager to catch him. It's a playful and imaginative tale that captures the fun of Easter.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, and imagination
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, engaging read that encourages children to think creatively and enjoy the playful aspects of Easter.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive and imaginative play.

• The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Jan and Mike Berenstain
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Religious
  • Synopsis: The Bear cubs learn about the religious significance of Easter while participating in the seasonal festivities of their community.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of religious traditions, moral values
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to the story of Easter in a gentle, accessible way that is intertwined with fun Easter traditions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to explore the meaning behind holiday celebrations.

• Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: From the creators of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," this delightful board book follows Mouse as he discovers colored eggs in his house. Each page offers a fun introduction to counting and colors.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, color recognition, early reading skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines learning with festive fun, making it a perfect Easter read for preschoolers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers learning their colors and numbers.

• Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A charming story about Ollie the gosling, who wants all the Easter eggs for himself but learns about sharing and friendship during the Easter egg hunt.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, sharing, friendship
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sweet tale that teaches important social lessons through a fun and engaging Easter story.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are learning about sharing and playing with others.

• Easter Egg Day by Tara Knudson, illustrated by Pauline Siewert
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This colorful picture book shows a family's Easter preparations, focusing on dyeing eggs with vibrant, creative designs and celebrating together.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, family bonding, tradition
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages family involvement and creativity, showing the joy of preparing for Easter together.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy arts and crafts and family activities.

Challenging Easter Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Folklore
  • Synopsis: In this beautifully illustrated book, Babushka, an old woman, prepares for Easter by painting eggs. When she rescues a wounded goose, the goose lays a series of miraculously decorated eggs.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story incorporates elements of Russian folklore and culture, which can introduce complex new ideas and vocabulary to young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a glimpse into another culture through a heartwarming story of kindness and miracles, enhancing a child's understanding and appreciation of diversity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in other cultures and those who enjoy stories about animals and magical events.

• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: This timeless tale tells the story of a little country bunny who becomes one of the special Easter Bunnies despite being a mother of twenty-one cottontail babies and not the typical bunny expected for the role.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the themes of responsibility, perseverance, and gender roles offer deeper layers of meaning for advanced readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes messages of equality, hard work, and the idea that anyone can achieve their dreams, no matter their background.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy inspiring stories and those looking to see representation of strong female characters.

• The Easter Egg Artists by Adrienne Adams
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: The story centers around the Abbott family, renowned for decorating Easter eggs. When their son, Orson, grows up, he must decide whether to continue the family tradition or follow his own path.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of tradition versus self-direction, which can help develop critical thinking about personal choices and family expectations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and individuality while respecting traditions, offering a balanced perspective that is beneficial for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child contemplating their role in family traditions and personal career paths.

• Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Max and his sister Ruby go on an Easter egg hunt. Max finds a chocolate chicken and wants to eat it, but Ruby insists they continue the hunt. Who will end up with the delicious chocolate chicken?
  • Why this book is challenging: The sibling dynamics and the subtle lessons in sharing and patience are woven into the story, providing depth beyond the simple plot.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that also teaches important social skills in a light-hearted manner.
  • Perfect for: Children who love humorous stories and those learning about fairness and sharing with siblings.

• 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 wonders about what could be inside. His curiosity leads him through a series of imaginative guesses and a surprising friendship.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of poetic language and the philosophical nature of wondering and discovery challenge young minds to think deeply about life and relationships.
  • Why we recommend this book: This classic story from the author of "Goodnight Moon" encourages curiosity and the joy of finding out new things, fostering a love for reading and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters and fans of gentle, philosophical stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading with your little one is not just about flipping through pages. It's about engaging them, improving their understanding, and making the whole experience enjoyable, especially during festive times like Easter! Here are some fun exercises tailored for 5-year-olds that can make reading Easter books even more exciting and beneficial.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading activity where you and your child look at the pictures in the book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures.

• Spot the Bunny
  • What it is: Find and point out any bunnies or Easter eggs hidden in the illustrations.
  • How it helps: Keeps the child engaged and enhances observational skills.
  • Tips: Turn it into a fun game by counting how many bunnies or eggs are found.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Rearrange story events into the correct sequence after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory recall.
  • Tips: Use simple, handmade cards with key events or scenes drawn or printed on them.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Identify and come up with words that rhyme with key terms from the story (like Easter, bunny, eggs).
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and language skills.
  • Tips: Make a list of rhyming words together and use them to create silly sentences.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the book, with your child taking on the role of their favorite character.
  • How it helps: Boosts imagination and helps with understanding character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-playing more fun and realistic.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these activities, you're not only enhancing their reading skills but also their love for books. So grab an Easter-themed book and let the fun learning begin!