Easter storytime: 11 must-read Easter books for children
It's not all chocolate and bunnies!
Easter has long been associated with the Easter Bunny, chocolate eggs and treasure hunts, but what about using this day to further educate children in a meaningful way?
Story-telling and reading is a great way to promote child development while enhancing intercultural understanding and communication, and Easter is the perfect time to snuggle in and get reading.
“To most children, the most outstanding elements of the Easter experience are the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts and the compulsory consumption of insane amounts of chocolate, ” says Brian Caswell, an early childhood literacy expert.
“This has been fertile ground for writers and illustrators of picture books. If your child ever dreamed of helping the Easter Bunny, imitating his generosity – or even meeting him – then then those kind of Easter books will be ideal choices.”
As an Early Childhood Literacy Expert, Brian Caswell believes that books written specifically for the Easter season can creatively engage your children.
“However, if your goal is to help your child understand the historical or religious story behind Easter, there are a number of books that retell the Easter story with children in mind too,” says Brian.
You’ll find Brian Caswell’s favourite Easter books for children in the gallery below.
WATCH: Make your own adorable Easter bunny ears! Gallery begins after video…
13 of the best Easter books to read your children
Egg, $25.17, Kevin Henkes
The simple and engaging Egg by Kevin Henkes is a great choice for very early readers.
It tells an unforgettable story about four eggs, one big surprise and an unlikely friendship.
Max’s Chocolate Chicken, $16.25, Rosemary Wells
It’s Easter, and Ruby says whoever finds the most eggs will get to eat the chocolate chicken that someone left in the birdbath.
Max tries to play along, but when Ruby finds all the eggs – and he finds only ants and acorns – he shows her what can happen when you put all your eggs in one basket!
Spot’s First Easter, $14.25, Eric Hill
Spot goes on an exciting Easter hunt in this seasonal lift-the-flap tale by Eric Hill.
This it the classic Spot story, re-originated with special cover finishes and rescanned artwork.
The Easter Egg, $24.90, Jan Brett
If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Bunny with his deliveries on Easter morning. But it is not so easy.
The delightful The Easter Egg by Jan Brett is perfect for children who’ve always dreamed of helping the Easter Bunny.
The Story of the Easter Bunny, $21.40, Katherine Tegen
Everyone knows who the Easter Bunny is. Each year, he comes with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates for children. But not everybody knows where he comes from.
On a snow-cold day in a snug little house… So begins the true story of the Easter Bunny!
How to Catch the Easter Bunny, $8 (down from $12.99), Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton shows how the Easter Bunny outwits his would-be captors.
We’re Going on an Egg Hunt, $12.50 (down from $14.99), Laura Hughes
The addictive and interactive We’re Going on an Egg Hunt by Laura Hughes is an Easter classic.
Join the Easter Bunnies as they set off on an exciting lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt.
The Easter Bunny’s Helpers, $13.90 (down from $16.99), Anne Mangan and Tamsin Ainslie
The Easter Bunny needs help delivering the Easter eggs this year and who better to help him than some Australian animals?
Otter Loves Easter, $24.75, Sam Garton
Otter – the irrepressible picture book character, sure to be adored by fans of Llama Llama – celebrates Easter with a little too much chocolate and a lot of creativity in this paper-over-board book.
P. Zonka Lays an Egg, $21.40, Julie Paschkis
Why doesn’t P. Zonka, an imaginative hen whose head is always in the clouds, lay eggs?
Extraordinary hen P. Zonka spends her time taking in the beauty around her: the shiny green of the grass, the buttery yellow of the dandelions, the deep blue of the sky. The other hens can’t understand why she never lays eggs like they do – they think she’s just plain lazy.
But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise.
Rechenka’s Eggs, $23.25, Patricia Polacco
Old Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose.
With vibrant illustrations, Patricia Polacco has joyously re-created the flavour of Old Moscow and its festivals.
