Best Books for Lent and Easter: Devotionals, Bible Studies, and Children’s Books to Celebrate the Resurrection
Lent and Easter are more than seasonal, Christian celebrations. They are invitations to slow down, reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, and celebrate the hope of the Resurrection and eternal life. We’ve found the perfect books for those who want to prepare their hearts during the 40 days of Lent. We’ve also included meaningful Easter books for children.
In this curated list from Graceful Reads, you’ll find:
- The best Lent books (including 40-day devotionals from Ash Wednesday to Easter)
- Bible studies centered on the Cross and Resurrection
- Christ-centered Easter books for children
- Family-friendly books for Holy Week
- Prayer collections and guided reflections for spiritual renewal
From picture books that teach kids the Easter story to deep studies of the Cross, these Lent and Easter books help people and families. They help prepare hearts for Resurrection Sunday.
If you’re searching for:
- “Best books for Lent”
- “Christian Easter devotionals”
- “Children’s Easter books about Jesus”
- “40-day Lenten study guides”
- “Books to read during Holy Week”
—you’re in the right place.
Children’s Books for Their Easter Basket
Easter in the Barnyard: Join Bunny, Chick, Rooster, and More Favorite Farm Animals to Celebrate the Resurrection!
by Dandi Daley Mackall – Gail Yerrill
Bunny and Chick hurry to gather their farm animal friends for an exciting Easter Day parade! In their finest fashion, the animals dress up in flower crowns and necklaces, bow ties, and top hats. Then Rooster leads the herd through the farmyard as they praise God with a joyful harmony of baas, moos, and neighs. Jesus is risen!
This Christian board book is a jubilant story of Easter joy, perfect for kids learning about God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice.
R Is for Risen: An ABC Easter Story
by Crystal Bowman – Teri McKinley – Jacqueline L Nunez
This rhyming ABC Easter story takes kids on a journey from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection to the Great Commission.
In this charmingly illustrated story, children will learn the alphabet and the biblically accurate reason for the season: Jesus’ resurrection! Unlike other ABC books that attribute a random Easter-themed word to a letter, R Is for Risen thoughtfully tells the chronological Easter story of salvation.
A Wonderful Surprise: An Easter Bible Verse to Remember
by Sally Michael – Sengsavane Chounramany – Truth 78 Truth 78
In A Wonderful Surprise, Sally Michael helps parents teach their children Scripture. Each page shows pictures and asks questions to engage preschoolers in understanding. Repetition of the verse throughout the book, helps children memorize the Bible verse after just a few readings.
Look and Find Easter Stories for Young Children
by Megan Higgins
Celebrate the Easter story with hundreds of things to find and count!
This colorful collection of Easter stories follows Jesus from Palm Sunday through to his empty tomb. This look and find book is sure to engage readers with its lively scenes and more than 600 items to find.
Mary and the Gardener
by Paul Kerensa – Leanne Daphne
When Mary Magdalene went to visit where Jesus had been buried, she found the empty tomb. Although angels told her Jesus had risen, Mary feared someone had taken his body away. She stayed in the garden to weep, and through her tears, she saw a man–the gardener, she assumed.
With rich illustrations, Mary and the Gardener brings to life the Easter story, told through the eyes of the first person the risen Jesus appeared to: Mary Magdalene. Inviting readers to celebrate Jesus’s love, this book reminds us all that Easter marks a new start for Mary and for everyone.
Holy, Holy, Holy
by Harvest House Publishers Harvest House Publishers – Sydney Hanson
Holy, Holy, Holy introduces little ones to one of the most timeless Christian anthems. It does this in a fun, colorful way children will love.
This classic hymn helps little ones experience the awe and wonder of worshipping the “Lord God Almighty.” The lyrics are paired with fun watercolor art that celebrates the joy and beauty of God’s world. In the back of the book, you’ll find the sheet music and lyrics.
The Easter Lamb: Jesus, Passover, and God’s Amazing Plan to Rescue Us
by John Greco – Sian James
In The Easter Lamb, the traditional Easter story takes on new significance as Jesus’s death and resurrection are explored through the events of Passover. Young readers will see how God has always cared for his children and that he had a plan for our salvation from the start.
The Easter Lamb is ideal for Easter Sunday school lessons, family devotions, and gift giving.
Precious Moments: Countdown to Easter
by Precious Moments Precious Moments – Jean Fischer – Kim Lawrence
Jesus is alive! Celebrate Easter with this Precious Moments counting book for toddlers and preschoolers. Countdown to Easter is the perfect way to prepare your family for the resurrection day as little ones practice their counting skills, find fun Easter items, and learn about Jesus’ greatest gift.
Whether it is for an Easter basket or a gift to start Lent, this bright book keeps Jesus central. Count your way to the resurrection from 10 sheep to 2 angels and 1 Jesus forever and ever!
Celebrate Holy Week with a New Book
The Good News of Easter: Celebrating the Glory of the Resurrection Story
by Rousseaux Brasseur – Sian James
This beautifully illustrated, poetic retelling of Christ’s death and resurrection offers families a new and special way to celebrate Easter.
From the author of The Good News of Christmas comes this charming, colorful lyrical retelling. It follows the gospel story of Jesus Christ’s death and triumphant resurrection. From Palm Sunday to Jesus’s ascension, Rousseaux Brasseur makes the Easter story come alive for all ages.
A Savior Is Risen: An Easter Devotional (40 Daily Devotions for Lent)
by Susan Hill
Do less. Connect more. This 40-day devotional offers biblical reflections and full-color photography to take you from burnout to burning a little brighter as you celebrate new life, fresh starts, and everyday redemptions.
It’s a distracted world out there. Maybe you find yourself scrolling more than savoring, texting more than resting, and rushing instead of taking a deep breath. The things you thought would bring connection make you feel more disconnected than ever, with a good dose of exhaustion thrown in. It’s time for a reset.
A Savior Is Risen is a 40-day journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter morning, a call for you to quiet your mind and soul as you focus on Jesus and His resurrection.
In this gorgeous devotional, you are invited to:
- Experience the Easter season with fresh eyes and an expectant heart
- Practice a modern-day fast from the things distracting you from God
- Reflect on Jesus’ life and Resurrection
- Draw closer to God through silence and reflection
- Let go of stress and embrace grace
Each day’s entry includes:
- A word that embodies the spirit of Easter
- A brief reflection on integrating that word into your life
- A Scripture passage for meditation
- A prayer to bring peace to your mind
- Bright springtime photography that captures the beauty of new life
A Savior Is Risen is ideal for anyone wanting permission to slow down, as a gift for someone looking for spiritual renewal, or as a beautiful book to display as a reminder of God’s promises. So grab your morning coffee or afternoon chai, and feel your spirit settle as you immerse yourself the ultimate new beginning God has given us all.
The Promise and Power of Easter Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: Captivated by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus
by Christine Caine – Lisa Harper
Easter isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s the most significant event in human history. It’s the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and His victory over everything that holds us back in our earthly lives. It’s the day we focus on the promise and power of Jesus and draw closer to Him.
Walk with the authors through four weeks of Lent. See the details of Jesus’ life. Share the agony of His death. Feel the great joy of His resurrection.
Relive His steps with a heart full of hope. See it all with eyes of faith. You’ll be ready to celebrate Easter in more ways than you ever have and be inspired to share the joy only Jesus could make possible.
Jesus Listens – For Lent and Easter with Full Scriptures: Prayers for the Season
by Sarah Young
This devotional collection of prayers and reflections from Sarah Young’s bestselling Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling helps you walk through the season of Lent with an intentional focus on your Savior and prepares you for the joy and victory of His resurrection at Easter.
Walk closely with the Lord as you read through Jesus Listens–for Lent and Easter. This inspirational devotional prayer book also includes Bible verses and words of hope from God’s heart to yours.
Jesus Listens–for Lent and Easter is ideal for:
- Anyone longing to draw closer to Jesus during the Lenten and Easter seasons
- Those who are looking for peace, forgiveness, and a deeper experience of trusting God
- Families who want to cultivate a tradition of Lenten prayers and devotions together
This full-color, beautifully illustrated book includes:
- Prayers, reflections, and Bible verses based on Jesus’ life and sacrifice for us
- Stunning spring and Easter season illustrations, making this a holiday treasure to cherish for years to come
- As you pray Scripture throughout this season of remembering Christ’s death and resurrection, you’ll experience how prayer connects you to God, helps you seek forgiveness, and brings you the inexpressible joy and freedom of knowing that Christ has risen!
It Is Finished: A 40-Day Pilgrimage Back to the Cross
by Charles Martin
It Is Finished offers you a unique and vital roadmap to trace the power and necessity of the cross throughout the Bible, from the book of Genesis all the way to your present-day reality.
On this 40-day pilgrimage your eyes will open wide and your heart will race as you discover the answer to the question that can change your life, Lord, why me? Why would you endure the cross and despise the shame, for me?
Preparing Your Heart for Easter
Before the celebration of Easter morning comes the quiet reflection of Lent. Whether you choose a 40-day devotional, a family read-aloud, or a Bible study that walks through Holy Week, these Lent and Easter books are designed to help you draw closer to Jesus.
At Graceful Reads, we believe books can shape our faith, anchor our hope, and instill joy in everyday life. May this season be one of renewal, restoration, and resurrection joy for you and your family.
