Our Favorite Christian Books as a Family, by Age
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
Why We're Careful About What We Read
I'm a firm believer in carefully guarding our book selections. Books have significantly shaped me, my worldview, and my thinking. I'm thankful my parents were careful about what they let us read, and we try to use that same caution in our own family now.
If in doubt, throw it out. If the Holy Spirit pricks your heart or mind about a book in any way, don't hesitate to set it aside. There are so many beautiful, rich books out there that honor and glorify God — you don't have to settle for ones that don't.
Do We Read Only Christian Books?
Not exclusively, but mostly. The vast majority of our books are solidly Christian. Our main exceptions are a few books about Alaska, where we live, and some historical titles.
A Note Before the List
I wish this list were entirely conclusive — it isn't. But these are books I'd highly recommend for each age group. I've personally read all of these (or the majority) out loud to our kids, or previewed them and let our kids read them independently. You'll also notice some overlap between age groups — a book I read aloud when my kids were younger often becomes something they pick up and read on their own as they get older.
Now, for our list!
Christian Books for Ages 0–5
The Beginner's Bible (Zonderkidz)
The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible by Janice Emmerson
You Are Special by Max Lucado (Wemmicks series)
Hermie: A Common Caterpillar by Max Lucado
Christian Books for Ages 5–10+
The Bible
Although the Bible can seem challenging for young readers, I've found it's actually a fantastic way to practice tricky words. I love starting by having my kids read Psalms out loud. To begin with, I often have them read on my phone using the Bible App (YouVersion). I set the font large and work through it line by line with them, sometimes taking turns reading every other verse. This lets them follow along, hear the words, see them as I read, and practice imitating inflection.
Chapter and Read-Aloud Favorites
The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas
The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible — this one is great all the way up through older children; it doesn't feel too childish.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little Britches by Ralph Moody — we only own the first book right now, but we've enjoyed it and will likely buy more. There's some mild cussing along with some genuinely good values; I simply skip over any words a character says that I don't want read aloud. The overall tone is quality. 🙃
Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson — I love these books! They're one of our newest additions, and I'm honestly wondering why I didn't know about them sooner. They're fantastic.
The Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens
Christian Books for Ages 8+
The Bible
YWAM Biography Series
Both YWAM series are excellent. Christian Heroes: Then & Now and Heroes of History are good for personal reading for older kids, I'd say age 10 and up. As read-alouds for history, they're fantastic starting around age 5+. We absolutely love both series and use them as the core of our historical reading alongside TMGW (That It May Go Well). They've challenged my faith as an adult, and the Lord has used them again and again to encourage and stretch our whole family.
As we work through these for history, we let the setting of each story direct our studies. A certain geographical landmark mentioned? We study it. A particular people group? That becomes a people-group study. An abundant natural resource? We learn more about it. It's a wonderful, living way to weave history, geography, and missions together.
Reel Kids Adventures
Also from YWAM, Reel Kids Adventures is a great fit for preteens and up.
by Mat Halverson — a fun mystery series where kids look up Bible verses to find the clue that solves each case, a great way to turn Bible knowledge into a game.
by Buddy Davis — We especially enjoy this book! While being solid evidence for the biblical account of creation, it also astonished us when the small village near where my husband works was mentioned. The river the team floats down in this book runs right near where Chad works, making this an extra special read for our family!
What's Next: Preteens and Teens
Our oldest just turned 12, and we're just starting our own adventure into older reading material. I would love your suggestions! Drop a comment and tell me your favorite Christian books for preteens, teens, and young adults — I'd love to hear what's a family favorite in your home too.
Looking for More Resources for Your Kids?
Check out our free downloads such as Bible Bingo, Bible Trivia Cards, our Armor of God printable, and more:
Bible Bingo — a fun, free printable game for the whole family
Bible Trivia Cards — great for reinforcing what you've just read aloud together
Armor of God Printable Pack — also includes The Lord's Prayer, Fruits of the Spirit, and Days of Creation printables and flash cards
Every one of these is completely free to download and use in your home.
Can’t wait to start into these recommendations. Thank you so much for this list.