Explore a diverse selection of thought-provoking picture books that delve into matters of faith and spirituality.
Wherever You Are by Glenys Nellist
In simple, rhyming text, encourages children to notice God all around them in the ordinary people and places of everyday life.
Available formats: Book
The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin
Written in the cumulative style of “The House that Jack Built,” this picture book builds a rhythmic list of reasons a young Muslim boy, Kamal, loves going to his masjid on Fridays for Jumu’ah prayer.
Available formats: Book
Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner
Early Sunday Morning follows June, Mommy, Daddy, and brother Troy through their weekend routine as June prepares for a special performance leading the children’s choir at church on Sunday morning.
Available formats: Book
A Synagogue Just Like Home by Alice Blumenthal McGinty
Rabbi Ruben loves his synagogue. But he doesn’t love the creaking floorboard, leaking sink, or drafty windows. Surely, he thinks, he can fix it up so it feels cared for, like a happy home! But Rabbi Ruben doesn’t know much about home repair, so when his creative fixes–challah dough plugging a drippy faucet, tablecloths blocking a window draft–make things humorously worse, it’ll take his whole congregation banding together to remind him what really makes a place feel like a happy home.
Available formats: Book
Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer by Tonya Bolden
Under a radiant moon and surrounded by all the noises of the city at night, a little boy prays for those in need, for wars to end, for the sick to be healed, and for all the members of his family.
Available formats: Book, eBook (Hoopla)
Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel
An original story based on Hindu mythology, this book tells the story about how Ganesha’s love of sweets led to a broken tusk and the writing of the epic poem, the Mahābhārata.
Available formats: Book, eBook (Hoopla, Overdrive Media on Demand)
God is Just Like Me by Karen Valentin
A joyful exploration of what it means to be made in God’s image. God is just like me and I’m just like God! From vivid sunrises and colorful paintings, dancing to music in the park, loud thunderstorms, and fishing on a quiet lake, a Puerto Rican girl in New York City finds examples of how she and God are similar everywhere she looks.
Available formats: Book, eBook (Hoopla)
Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
When Muhammad gets a special salat rug on his seventh birthday, he is determined to do all five daily prayers on time. But one salat occurs during the school day–and he’s worried about being seen praying at school. His father parks his truck to worship in public places, and people stare at him and mock him. Will the same thing happen to Muhammad? From two powerhouse creators comes an empowering story about an important part of Islamic faith that many Muslim children cherish but might be scared to share.
Available formats: Book
Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Zayla and Mama spend the day discovering how sunrises and dancing, green peppers and daffodils, kind words, and more are all reminders of God’s glory surrounding us every day.
Available formats: Book
Out and About: A Tale of Giving by Liza Wiemer
In this inspiring story, we follow Daniel as he tries to find out where his parents are going and what’s inside the mysterious boxes they’re carrying. Daniel’s imagination runs wild―could there be a new baseball and glove inside? A giant birthday cake? A new toy car? As it turns out Daniel learns much more than what’s in those boxes―he learns the true meaning of giving. This universal message is a beautiful way to share Jewish traditions with all readers. A note explains the concept of tzedakah and addresses what it means to give and how to give in a way to respect those we want to help.
Available formats: Book
In My Mosque by M. O Yuksel
A picture book featuring culturally rich artwork celebrates the joys, rituals, and traditions that are practiced in mosques throughout the world, and includes a glossary and information about many historical and significant mosques.
Available formats: Book, eBook (Hoopla, Overdrive Media on Demand)
Little Krishna by Harish Johari
Relates adventures of the young Krishna, the Hindu god who was known as a child for his mischievous nature.
Available formats: Book
Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkinson
The story of how the prince Siddhartha eventually became the Buddha.
Available formats: Book
Shiva by Demi
Demi presents the life and teaching of this central god within the Hindu pantheon, replete with stunning illustrations that faithfully reflect the ancient traditions of Hindu painting and iconography. Also included is an appendix of Hindu prayers to the god Shiva and notes on his representation as “Lord of the Dance”
Available formats: Book, eBook (Hoopla)
God’s Dream by Desmond Tutu
Children close their eyes and see that God wishes that all people would treat each other with love and understanding, in spite of differences in language or appearance, or even if they live in faraway lands.
Available formats: Book
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