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Friday, March 6, 2020

10 Books to Read for Easter

My ex-Mom-in-law started a wonderful tradition: reading a holiday-themed book at Christmas and Easter family gatherings. When the kids were old enough they each got their chance to read part of, or the whole book. Sadly that tradition ended for us, but perhaps when I am blessed with my own grandchildren one day, we'll pick up this wonderful traditional again. 

The following books are worthy of an Easter read. First on the list is one of my favorites, which we read before Easter Dinner,        The Tale of Three Trees 









1. The Tale of Three Trees by Angela E. Hunt,
illustrated by Jim Jonke
A strange and wonderful original telling of the Easter story from the unusual POV of the trees.


2. Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson, illustrated by Jack Stockman.Benjamin's Box gets children to interact with the story when a parent or teacher reads and asks questions about the objects found in the Box. Each object serves as a visual aid of the various parts of the real Easter story, making it easier for children to retain and retell. ~Julie Cave, former Managing Editor at Multnomah Press 


3. Six Hours One Friday: Chronicles of the Cross by Max Lucado

4. Jesus Calling for Easter by Sarah Young






5. The Golden Egg by A.J. Wood, illustrated by Maggie Kneen.            One of my favorites, though not about the Easter story, but liked by kids. It's a hidden-under-the-flap book with a beautiful colored egg under each flap ... and then a golden egg with chocolate inside! Kids love all the sparkling colors and surprise ending. ~Julie Cave







6. The Day Christ Died by Jim Bishop
One of the books that made a huge impression on me some years ago was, The Day Christ Died, by Jim Bishop. In this book, Mr. Bishop took his readers through what actually happened to Jesus' physical body during the crucifixion hours. I wept as I read it and was so moved by what our Savior endured that I read portions of it to the Sunday School class of young adults, The Jabez Group, that John and I were teaching at the time."Unforgettable" would be my one word review of this book. ~Author and playwright, Deanne Davis



7. The Crown by Deanne Davis 
This is a cleverly written short story told in first person, which I always find so hard to do. It's a gift Deanne has. This is a fresh and new-ish way to retell the story of Easter through the eyes of a Jerusalem reporter. 





8. The Shepherd's Gate by Sharon Pearson, 
illustrated by Julie Trainor

When The Shepherd's Gate arrived I read it to our four-year-old great-grandson. As I finished he announced, "You need to read to Brooke when she gets home." Brooke is preparing to enter second grade. He knows his sister loves to read and would find the book intriguing. Sharon Pearson's abilility to capture the young readers is demonstrated on each page and, enhanced by Julie Trainor's exciting illustrations. This will be a "keeper" in the family library, one the children will say, "Read it again. You know, the one about Toby." ~Children's author, Marilyn R. Woody.



9. Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings from C.S. Lewis
Can't go wrong with this if you're a CS Lewis fan. And who isn't, right? These are taken from his essays and other classic writings.  
10. Blood On My Hands by Deborah L. Alten. (Free pdf. Not suitable for children fifteen and under) This is flash fiction about the aftermath of the crucifixion as remembered through the eyes of the man who hammered the nails into Jesus. Two bonus stories by Deanne Davis and Ginger Galloway included with poems and a coloring page and other surprises.









7 comments:

  1. Great books..thank you for sharing your picks!

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  2. Awww, you're welcome Holly. Thanks so much for dropping by.

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  3. I haven't read any of these! I will check them out! Thanks, Deb. xoxo

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  4. Delighted to see my work included with all these really wonderful books. Thank you, dear friend!

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  5. Love this list! Six Hours One Friday shaped my understanding of the crucifixion as a young Christian who hadn't been raised in the church.

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