Toddler Book Basket: God Made ME
There’s something magical about watching babies become toddlers. From the first time they notice their reflection in a mirror to when they point to their nose when you ask. Or when they giggle when you name and tickle each of their toes. These tiny milestones are developmental wins, and they are also glimpses into the way God made us: intricate, intentional, full of wonder.
The Monthly Menu theme for September is God Made Me. This theme invites us to pause and celebrate that truth. We’re not accidents or afterthoughts. Every curl, dimple, giggle, and freckle is part of His design. Our Monthly Menus curriculum has many ways you can explore and meditate on this truth with your little ones, but reading books together is a beautiful way to practice truth telling. Reading together is a time to repeat again and again, “God made you and He loves you so much.”
In our home, these are some of the books we keep returning to. These books help babies and toddlers learn their body parts, move with joy, and rest secure in the truth that they are made in God’s image.
Here are a few books to tuck into your book basket as you explore the theme God Made Me with your little one:
Who Made You? by The Daily Grace Co — I listed the book in this month, but it echoes so many of the truths that we repeat throughout Monthly Menus! As it is with God’s character; it is impossible to isolate one truth without encapsulating or crossing over into seeing another aspect of His character.
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle — My preschooler’s favorite for movement! Each animal does a different action — stomp like an elephant, wiggle like a crocodile — and he loves acting them out. It’s a great way to get wiggles out while connecting movement to God’s good design for our bodies.
123 God Made Me by B&H Kids — I love the rhyming, counting, and verses on each page. I also enjoy the diverse illustrations, which is especially important when emphasizing each of us being uniquely created by God!
Known by Sally Lloyd Jones — Author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrator Jago have created a beautiful book that brings Psalm 139 into a toddler’s world. As little ones follow a day in the life of another child, they hear the comforting truth that God sees them, knows them, and loves them completely.
Eyes, Nose, Belly, Toes by Krupa Bhojani Playforth MD — This book goes beyond a simple “point and name” body book. It’s an anatomy adventure written specifically for kids ages 1-3 by a medical doctor. It describes how each part of our body has a purpose and motion. While it’s not an explicitly Christian book, I love how it naturally reflects God’s creativity and design. Isn’t it amazing how His truth is echoed in science?!
God Made You Too by Chelsea Tornetto — A brightly illustrated rhyming adventure that perfectly bridges the August Monthly Menu truth “God Made Everything” with the September Monthly Menu truth “God Made Me”.
God Came Near To Me by Kristin Wetherell — The illustrator, Grace Habib, has some of the most beautiful illustrations to me! But I absolutely love how this book covers the incarnation of Jesus and his human body. What a treasure.
God Made You Nose to Toes by Leslie Parrott — I’m a sucker for a good rhyme and this one delivers! The author weaves God’s truth so effortlessly into a catchy, sing-song rhythm. P.S. Am I the only one who thinks it’s funny that the author has the last name “Parrott” and wrote a book featuring a toucan?
Why Books Like These Matter
When we tell a child that God made them, we’re teaching vocabulary, body awareness, and we are shaping their identity. We’re giving them language to understand they are loved by their Creator. In a world that tells kids to define themselves, we get to ground them early in the truth that God already did. As Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
So next time you’re changing a diaper, wiping boogies with your sleeve, or chasing your wobbly toddler, whisper it again: “God made you. God loves you.” You’ll be amazed how quickly they start to say it back.
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 September: God Made Me. 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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