Toddler Book Basket: God Gives New Life
I’ve put this book basket together to help you celebrate the hope and beauty of the Resurrection with your 0 to 3-year-old. March is such a special time to use the garden and springtime growth to illustrate the miracle of new life in Jesus. These are the books I reach for when I want to inspire wonder in my children about the empty tomb.
This book list pairs perfectly with our March Monthly Menu. As you do your "sprout watch" and roll away the stone, these stories will help you weave gospel truth into your outdoor play. I pray that these moments of reading about new life would help your family rejoice in the truth that Jesus is stronger than death and alive today.
God Rescues Me by Kristin Weatherell — Another thoughtfully illustrated, rhyming board book for toddlers. I treasure this book and my kids always reach for the books in this series.
This is Easter by Bowman and McKinley — Simple and joyful (and rhyming!), this book introduces the Easter story in a way that feels accessible for very young children.
Easter is Coming by Tama Fortner — This board book builds anticipation for Easter as it traces the redemptive story from creation to the cross.
The Quiet Crazy Easter Day — My toddler is obsessed with this Easter story. I’m pretty sure it’s the animals and sound effects, but I love how it draws my imagination toward all of creation praising God together.
A Very Happy Easter by Tim Thornborough — This book reinforces the joy of Easter while keeping the focus on Jesus. It also invites little listeners to notice and imitate the range of emotions found in the Easter story.
The Story of Easter by Katya Longhi — Another toddler favorite in our home. This sturdy die-cut board book walks through the Easter story from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection.
Jesus Has Risen by The Daily Grace Co — With bright colors and simple words, this board book is a wonderful option for the youngest little ones in your care.
Spring Sings by Ellie Holcomb — A beautiful bridge between Christ’s resurrection and the new life we see bursting forth in spring. Also, I love that Ellie Holcomb has music to go along with each of her books.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — A classic for a reason. Counting, nature, and transformation all come together in a way babies and toddlers naturally engage with.
Itsy Bitsy Spider: Indestructibles Book — There’s an Indestructibles book for almost every Monthly Menus theme, and this one fits March perfectly.
Hello, World! Garden Time by Jill McDonald — A gentle, scientific look at a seed’s growth from planting to harvest, with a sweet emphasis on the relationships that form as we grow things together.
Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson — This simple, interactive book invites you and your little one to help a seed grow as you read together.
Why Books Like These Matter
New life is one of the first big truths children can grasp. They see it happen all around them. When we connect those moments to the story of Jesus, we help them understand that Easter is not just something we celebrate once. The Easter story shapes our whole year.
Because Easter can fall as late as the end of April, many families return to these stories again in the following weeks. If you’re looking to continue the Easter story beyond March, our Toddler Book Basket for April focuses on believing and trusting God as we follow Jesus.
If you enjoy this topic and want to explore deeper ways to teach your 0–3 year old about God’s character, check out our Monthly Menus theme for March: God Gives New Life. It’s full of age-appropriate activities, prayers, and tools for weaving faith naturally into everyday life when you have little ones in tow.
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