While the world may move on after Easter Sunday, the joy of the Resurrection continues throughout the entire fifty-day Easter season, lasting all the way until Pentecost in late May. Easter is the most wonderful time of the year, and the following books are some of our favorite books to read during this sacred season.
Jesus Speaks to Me about Easter by Angela Burrin
When we teach our children about the Resurrection of Jesus, we try to make sure that our children understand that Jesus is really alive. Yes, he did die for our sins, but then he rose! He rose, ascended into heaven and is alive. He loves them and will be with them until the end of time. This book helps our children understand the story of Jesus in a way that children can understand. Also, since Jesus is alive in heaven, that means that the saints are alive in heaven, too. The book also contains stories about His first disciples and their exciting lives.
The Story of the First Easter by Bill Yenne
This is a book that we typically begin reading during Lent but carry it through to the Easter season as well. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is simple yet poignant enough for children to understand why Jesus came to Earth; to save our souls and open the gates of heaven! Even though this book is technically for younger children, our oldest child, who is now around middle-school age, loves it as well and looks forward to reading it each season.
God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren
This is a board book that is perfect for younger children who may not be able to sit still for longer books. Although the book itself has beautiful illustrations and the message is simple enough for younger children, it is also meaningful enough for older children or siblings to want to sit and read the book as well. The author has many other “God Gave Us” books, if you like this one and want to add more to your home library. It also makes a great gift for younger children and is especially perfect for Easter baskets.
The Easter Story for Children by Max Lucado, Randy Frazee and Karen Hill
This is another book that can be read during Lent and especially during Holy Week and carry into the glorious days of Easter. Beginning with Jesus’s final days and continuing through His resurrection, it ends with Jesus and his disciples, who are instructed to fulfill His mission. This book helps children understand the real reason for Easter and it can also bring inspiration to them to join in the mission that was handed down to the first disciples; to go out and spread the Gospel among all nations.
Max Lucado is one of our favorite authors and his books share the important message with children that God loves and cherishes each one of us endlessly. We highly recommend all of his children’s books, which include but are not limited to: You Are Special; Just in Case You Ever Wonde;You Are Mine; and The Oak Inside the Acorn.
Adult Books
The Road to Calvary: Daily Meditations for Lent and Easter from Tan Books by St. Alphonsus Liguori
This book begins on Ash Wednesday, is read throughout Lent and Easter. The daily devotionals are short, usually a couple of pages; however, they are filled with inspiring and thought-provoking wisdom from this great saint. My husband and I began reading this devotional years ago when it was first offered by Tan Books and each year it helps us grow and appreciate the season more than before.
The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul by Dan Burke
While this book is not technically an “Easter book”, it is certainly a book that will aid Catholics in advancing in the spiritual life so they can one day enjoy their own Easter Sunday at the time of their death. The book details the seven levels of spiritual progress for the soul, with explanations of each level, what the soul is being cleansed of and the ways that the evil one can try to derail us of achieving spiritual progress.
The book gives examples of the saints, most notably St. Teresa of Avila and how they overcame spiritual dryness, difficulties and attacks from the demonic forces that want anything but our salvation. This book is extremely helpful in allowing you to realize whichever stage you are in, learn how to advance to the advanced levels and bring clarity on why God allows certain roadblocks and how to use them to propel you to sainthood.
The Bible
Sounds simple, but reading the bible is a wonderful way to celebrate the Easter season. While you can start at the very beginning, years ago when I first read the bible, I began at the New Testament and just read it all the way through. During Easter, I like to start at the Resurrection for each of the Gospels and then continue in order to the Acts of Apostles, St. Paul’s Epistles and then read St. James, St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude.
Christina Frye is a lifelong Rhode Islander, wife, mother and founder of Catholic Mom Rhode Island, www.CatholicMomRI.com.
