SPC Youth Program

Spiritual Books for Kids

RECOMMENDED BOOKS for KIDS on FAITH and SPIRITUALITY... and for parents, too: compiled by Jim Burklo

For the very young:

Bless Us All - A Child's Yearbook of Blessings

by Cynthia Rylant, Little Simon Books, 2004. A little hard-paged book A blessing for all sorts of things and places - each month gets a different poem of blessing. (I have a copy in my office)

To Everything - by Bob Barner, Chronicle Kids Books, 1998 - "A time for every thing under heaven" - this is the beloved chapter from Ecclesiastes, illustrated for children. (I have a copy in my office)

The "ECS" series produced by Skylight Paths Press - these are little hard-paged books with an interfaith, pluralistic perspective on spirituality, responding to the common religious questions of pre-school kids:

+ Where Is God? by Lawrence and Karen Kushner - 2002

+ What Does God Look Like? by Lawrence and Karen Kushner - 2001

+ What Is God's Name? by Sandy E. Sasso - 1999

These were suggested by Julie Wooden, former member of our church, who has read them to her young son:

+ The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch

+ A Small Miracle by Peter Collington (Christmas book in illustration only) Fabulous!

+ Places of Power by Michael DeMunn

+ All I see is part of Me by Chara Curtis

+ ...and one of her favorites: Grandad's Prayers of the Earth by Douglass Wood

For elementary school aged kids:

Books by Sandy E. Sasso - all interfaith and pluralistic in their approach to religion (not claiming one religion to be superior to another) -

+ In God's Name - Jewish Lights Press, 1994 - How people of different faiths talk about God.

+ Noah's Wife - Jewish Lights Press, 2002 - Lifts up a female character in the Bible in a creative way

+ God's Paintbrush - Jewish Lights Press, 1992 - Explores the ways we directly experience God in everyday life - an introduction to practical mysticism for kids!

What Is God? by Etan Boritzer - Firefly Press, 1990. An interfaith meditation on the nature of God - good bedtime reading.

Books by Tomie de Paola - wonderful artist, with a broadly Catholic perspective:

+ Parables of Jesus - Holiday House Press, 1987

+ Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland - Holiday House Press, 1992

+ Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi

The 11th Commandment - Wisdom for our Children by the Children of America - Jewish Lights Press, 1996 - kids from many religions and cultures add to the Ten Commandments (which are listed in the book as well) - illustrated by kids... very cool!

The Lord's Prayer - artist: Tim Ladwig - Eerdman's Press, 2000. A very moving illustration of the Lord's Prayer. Each line of the prayer is shown with a picture from the life of a little girl living with her grandparents in an urban black neighborhood. It interprets the prayer in terms of loving family relationships.

The Donkey and the Golden Light - by John and Gill Speirs - Abramsbooks.com, 2004. The Christmas story, gorgeously illustrated.

Books by Tomie de Paola - wonderful artist, with a broadly Catholic perspective:

+ Parables of Jesus - Holiday House Press, 1987

+ Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland - Holiday House Press, 1992

+ Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi

Books on world religions by Demi (simonsayskids.com)

These are gorgeously illustrated and make great introductions to world religions and world religious leaders. They are sensitive to the perspective within each of the religions. For instance, Muhammad's face is never shown in Islamic art, to avoid idolatry, so the artist portrays him as a golden silhouette:

+ Buddha

+ Buddha Stories

+ Muhammad

+ Gandhi

+ The Dalai Lama

The Pilgrim Book of Bible Stories, Pilgrim Press, 2003. This is the best kids' Bible I've seen yet - a very well-done and relatively open-minded, non-dogmatic rendition of the most important Bible stories for kids, with illustrations. A great introduction to the Bible as a whole.

The Holy Eucharist for the Children of God - Minnesota Episcopal Diocese. I think this is a great introduction to communion - (eucharist) - from the point of view of environmental consciousness.... comparing communion to the way that plants and animals "commune" with each other in nature. ( I have a copy in my office.)

For pre-teens:

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle - 1962. A classic of children's literature. I read it in the 6th grade and it deeply impressed me - got me thinking about matters spiritual. It is not an overtly religious book but L'Engle's deep personal spirituality comes through. (I have a copy in my office.)

For teens:

Franny and Zooey - by J. D. Salinger, 1955. Another classic! Among many other themes, the book includes the experience of a young woman who begins to practice the repetition of the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me") - a famous Christian mantra. The book is a great way for teens to engage with spirituality - it's full of conversations and arguments about God.

For parents:

Recommended by Kimberly Kassner, member of SPC:

The Spiritual Wisdom of of Kids by Deborah Masters and Robert Rabbin - interviews with 123 children about spirituality.

Recommended by Bridget Mazzini, SPC member:

Everyday Blessings: The Inner work of Parenting by Myla and John Kabat-Zinn

Have other good ones to recommend? Please send your suggestions to add to this list: email Jim Burklo