Toddler Book Basket: God Gives Us Relationships
Just coming off the holidays, our kids have met many new faces and shared full days of hellos and goodbyes. January gives us a natural opportunity to keep nurturing those relationships with friends and family. God gives us relationships with the people around us, including parents, siblings, neighbors, and church friends.
Relationships are one of God’s gifts for our joy and growth. God not only gives us relationships; He also shows us what they look like. Our triune God exists in relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even when children are very young, they can begin to learn that love is something we practice, not just a feeling we have.
One of my favorite ways to practice this with little ones is through books. Reading together builds relationship as we sit close, turn pages, share attention, laugh, and notice together. These are a few of the books we reach for in January as we continue nurturing connection long after the decorations come down.
Never Too Little! by Steph Williams — With this engaging retelling of Mark 10:13-16, toddlers hear how they are never too little to be God’s friend. In fact, that is the most important relationship in their life!
Which Shape Should I Be? by Pamela Kennedy — This story revisits familiar shapes children have explored throughout the year and invites them to notice how each one is different. It gently points to the deeper truth that God creates each of us uniquely.
Curious Me! Families by Alison Behnke — This book gives toddlers language for family relationships. It supports naming roles and recognizing the people God has placed in their lives.
A Little Book About Food by Leo Lionni — Food often anchors relationships. For young children it’s through shared routines and care; for adults it’s a shared meal and conversation around the table.
The Trinity by Ryan McKenzie — This book introduces the Trinity with simple language and thoughtful illustrations. It offers a gentle way for both children and adults to sit with a deep truth about God’s relational nature.
Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman — This charming story follows a bear who finds himself swept into a tea party he did not expect. It creates an easy on-ramp for imaginative play while opening conversation about belonging and hospitality.
God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell — This story celebrates God’s design for relationship within His family, the Church. I appreciate that it comes in both a hardcover and board book, making it accessible for a range of ages, including infants and toddlers.
Every Neighbor by Sarah Nunnally — This newly published book highlights the beauty of diversity and the call to love our neighbors well. It offers clear language and rich illustrations that help children notice and celebrate the people God has placed around them. Bonus: it features ways to say “hello!” in 12 languages!
Why Books Like These Matter
Children learn what love looks like through repeated experiences of connection. When adults sit close, listen, respond, and share attention, children begin to understand relationship are safe and good. These books offer small opportunities to practice belonging and presence.
If you enjoy this topic and want to explore deeper ways to teach your 0–3 year old about relationships, check out our Monthly Menus theme for January: God Gives Us Relationships. It’s full of age-appropriate activities, prayers, and tools for weaving faith naturally into everyday life.
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