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An annotated list of excellent children's books about worship
At Your Baptism, Carrie Steenwyk and John D. Witvliet
Baptism is a sign of God's love and promises. This beautiful board book makes a perfect gift for children at their baptism. Vibrant illustrations and text adapted from the French Reformed Church liturgy communicate this message in a simple but meaningful way.
En la mesa de Dios/At God's Table, María Cornou, Carrie Steenwyk, John D. Witvliet, Joel Schoon-Tanis
In this vividly illustrated bilingual book, the celebration of the Lord's Supper unfolds as a multi-faceted event that nourishes our faith and stirs our imagination to see the gifts of grace and signs of God's ongoing work in our lives and God's world.
하나님의 식탁/At God's Table, María Cornou, Carrie Steenwyk, John D. Witvliet, Joel Schoon-Tanis
At God's Table is a Korean-English children's book that explores the richly symbolic practice of the Lord's Supper in Christian worshiping communities.
En la escuela de los Salmos/At Psalms School, John D. Witvliet, María Cornou, Joel Schoon-Tanis
Psalms is a prayer book that we find in the middle of the Bible. Reading Psalms is kind of like going to school. The psalms teach us how to listen to and talk with God in worship, at church, and every day. Read At Psalms School and learn about the psalms.
by Julie Stiegemeyer: perfect for babies and toddlers
, Sabrina Bus
The Lord's Prayer with a brief sentence of application for each phrase of the prayer.
, Anne E. Kitch
Eight prayers for every day toddler activities such as riding in the car and bed time.
Organized by theme: the worship service, Christian Year, The Lord's Prayer/prayer, baptism and the Lord's Supper, Psalms
, Gail Ramshaw
This book centers around "the wonderful words that Christians speak in church: ancient words like 'alleluia' and 'amen,' simple prayers like 'Lord, have mercy.'"
, Too, Gail Ramshaw
Words and images of this book narrate the basic structure of Christian worship.
, Gail Ramshaw
A rhyming number book plus primer on Christian worship
, Nikki Grimes
Grimes is an award-winning poet and author. This book celebrates a day of worship through the eyes of a child with bright, watercolor illustrations by Michael Bryant.
, Ruth Boling
This book is targeted to children ages three through third grade. Might be placed in the worship space for children to use as a supplement to the children's bulletin.
, Joni Walker
, Pauline Baynes
Baynes transforms the creed "into a joyous hymn to God." She did the orginal line illustrations for C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.
, Joni Walker
Join this friendly feline and learn about the Apostles’ Creed―the earliest summary of the apostles’ teaching.
, Ruth Boling
Colorful pictures opposite one-page descriptions of the Christian seasons. The end of the book has several pages of Christian symbols and crosses children might recognize from church buildings.
, Ruth Boling
A chapter book about a "mouse congregation's" experience with these three seasons of the Christian year.
, Tim Ladwig
Bright, beautiful illustrations, "Top Ten" religious children's book for 2001.
, Mary Joslin
Each phrase of the prayer is paired with a poem and Bible text.
, Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Tim Ladwig
Poems and pictures about prayer and a child's daddy.
, Joni Walker
, Lois Rock
Over 150 prayers, each one simple, sincere, and memorable (including categories such as prayers for school days, a world at war, for quiet times, and bedtime)
, Paul Goble
Intricate, bright pictures illustrate the adapted text from The Book of Common Prayer. Children are encouraged to add verses of their own to the refrain: bless you the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever.
, Kadir Nelson
Warm images of a boy and his family woven with the words to the well-known spiritual.
, Janet Wittenback
, Walter Wangerin, Jr.
Imaginative interpretation of creation's celebration of a child's baptism. Wonderful baptismal imagery used throughout the book: rainbow, washing, dying and rising, River of Life, Trinity, Child of God.
, Joni Walker
This book follows a question and answer pattern around basic questions children may ask about the sacrament of baptism. Published by Concordia Publishing House.
, Joni Walker
This book follows a question and answer pattern around basic questions children may ask about the Lord's Supper. Published by Concordia Publishing House.
, Marie-Helene Delval
Simple paraphrases of over 40 psalms paired up with bright, colorful illustrations.
, Tim Ladwig, illustrator.
Vibrant city scenes and every day activities illustrate this well-known psalm.
, Barry Moser, illustrator
Artist Barry Moser writes, "My favorite psalm, the one I memorized when I was a youngster like you, is this one, the Twenty-third."
, Amy Ribordy Reese
This side-by-side, English/Spanish translation of Psalms 104, 148, 150 uses the Contemporary English Version and the Biblia Americana San Jeronimo. Vibrant illustrations accompany the texts.
, Eleanor Farjeon
This hymn text was originally written for children and inspired by Psalm 118: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
, Christopher L. Webber
Psalm 104 for Children
, Christopher L. Webber
Psalm 23 for Children
Christopher L. Webber
Psalm 65 for Children
, Bijou Le Tord
Poetic renderings of several psalm verses paired with lovely watercolor illustrations by Le Tord.
, Niko Chocheli
Chocheli is a professor of art and member of the Orthodox Church. His illustrations reflect his study and artistic achievement in Orthodox iconography. This is a beautiful book to introduce to children and return to often.
Nancy White Carlstrom
A prose poem inspired by Psalm 19.
, Nancy White Carlstrom
Playful illustrations sing and celebrate the way every creature praises God. "Glory be to God for fluttering wings, for chickadees and butterflies...and all small things that wing their praise."
, Ellen Yeomans
One vision of heaven as a joyful picnic and reunion.
