When our children read about how God works in and through the life of another young man or woman, they learn to see his hand in their lives as well. As they read the stories of men and women across times and cultures, they learn to see that God works in our time and culture as well.
Christian biographies for children can be an effective tool to help our children grow in faith. In our trials, God grows our character and he is glorified–even if we cannot see how at the time (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:1-5). Our kids learn this lesson through reading about how others walked through suffering in faith, and in seeing how God was glorified through their faithfulness.
Christian Biographies for Children
I love Catherine Mackenzie’s Little Lights biographies from Christian Focus 4 Kids. I really appreciate that the stories are told simply and engagingly, beginning in the childhood of each Christian hero, and moving through their life. It’s powerful for kids to read about God’s work in the lives of other children–and to see how they grew up to serve the Lord.
The books are wonderful for young readers, allowing them to grow in their reading ability over time. The left-hand side of the page contains more text, allowing you as a parent to read to your child. Your independent reader can practice reading this side as well. The right-hand side of the page has a simple sentence for the very earliest readers to read.
Check out the way this works in these pages from John Knox:
The Little Lights Christian Biographies for Children Ages 3-7
The Little Lights series of Christian biographies for children has a number of volumes available. They’re a great addition to your children’s library, and all are available in individual volumes. There are also two boxed sets available with five books each, which make perfect gifts!
The Little Lights Box Set #1 comes with volumes on Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Corrie ten Boom, George Muller, and Helen Roseveare.
Books in Box #1
George Müller: Does money grow on trees? (Little Lights)Hudson Taylor: Could somebody pass the salt? (Little Lights)Amy Carmichael: Can brown eyes be made blue? (Little Lights)Helen Roseveare: What’s in the parcel? (Little Lights)Corrie Ten Boom: Are all of the watches safe? (Little Lights)
- George Muller: Does money grow on trees? – Muller (1805-1898) was a wonderful child evangelist who ran orphanages at a time when children were not valued or cared for. He is well known for committing to only ask the Lord for provision–and then for recording God’s answer to prayer. My kids loved this book.
- Hudson Taylor: Could somebody pass the salt? – Hudson (1832-1905) spent 51 years as a missionary to China. He is known for respecting the culture of the Chinese and for sharing the gospel in a way they could culturally relate to.
- Amy Carmichael: Can brown eyes be made blue? – Carmichael (1867-1951) was a missionary to India. She spent time rescuing the orphan girls who were given to the pagan temples. As a child, Amy wanted blue eyes. Yet, God gave her brown eyes for a very special reason.
- Helen Roseveare: What’s in the parcel? – Roseveare (1925-2016) was a missionary and doctor, working for 20 years in rainforests of the Congo.
- Corrie ten Boom: Are all of the watches safe? – Ten Boom (1892-1983) worked in the Netherlands with her father and sister. During World War II, her family hid Jewish people from the Nazis. Ten Boom was eventually taken to a concentration camp. Her story is powerful.
The Little Lights Box Set #2 comes with volumes on David Livingstone, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Eric Liddell, and Mary Slessor.
Books in Box #2
David Livingstone: Who is the bravest? (Little Lights)John Calvin: What is the truth? (Little Lights)Martin Luther: What should I do? (Little Lights)Mary Slessor: What is it like? (Little Lights)Eric Liddell: Are you ready? (Little Lights)
- David Livingstone: Who is the bravest? – Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish doctor and missionary who spent time exploring Africa. He crossed Africa, making missionary work there possible, and fought against slavery.
- John Calvin: What is the truth? – Calvin (1509-1564) was a French theologian. The Reformer taught about God’s sovereignty.
- Martin Luther: What should I do? – Luther (1483-1546) is known as the “Father of the Reformation.” He fought for the ideas that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, and that Scripture is our authority. (For a great book on Luther for your teens, check out my novel When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther).
- Mary Slessor: What is it like? – Slessor (1848-1915) was a missionary to Nigeria. She traveled and taught in the native language, Efik.
- Eric Liddell: Are you ready? – Liddell (1902-1945) was an Olympic Gold Medal runner who stood up for the Sabbath. He was also a missionary to China and spent time in a concentration camp.
The Little Lights Box Set #3 comes with volumes on C.S. Lewis, John Knox, Lottie Moon, Gladys Aylward, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Books in Box#3
There are more books available in the Little Lights series that are not (yet) in a boxed set. You’ll want to add these to your library as well!
C.S. Lewis: Can you imagine? (Little Lights)John Knox: Who will save you? (Little Lights)Lottie Moon: What do you need? (Little Lights)Gladys Aylward: Are you going to stop? (Little Lights)Charles Spurgeon: Who Is the Greatest? (Little Lights)
- C.S. Lewis: Can you imagine? – Lewis (1898-1963) was a British theologian and author. His works have influenced Western thought and culture in a profound way.
- John Knox: Who will save you? – Knox (1514-1572) was a Scottish pastor and Reformer who fought for the reformation of the Church.
- Lottie Moon: What do you need? – Moon (1840-1912) spent nearly 40 years as a missionary in China.
- Gladys Aylward: Are you going to stop? – Aylward (1902-1970) spent almost 40 years as a missionary in China. She helped end the practice of foot binding and raised thousands of rescued children.
- Charles Spurgeon: Who is the greatest? – Spurgeon (1834-1892) was known as the “Prince of Preachers”. He preached the gospel to thousands at a time.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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A Resource to Help Teach Kids About Life in the Womb
Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth
Your kids will love learning about life inside the womb with Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth, published by Christian Focus 4 Kids.
Wonderfully Made is a science- and Scripture-filled picture book for kids ages 5-11. The book is told from the perspective of a mother telling her child about his or her development in the womb week-by-week. In fact, Wonderfully Made is written to help parents meet the theological, scientific, and relational purposes of teaching kids about life in the womb.
You can also learn more about Wonderfully Made over at the book page.
Head over to the Thinking Kids Press store for your free Wonderfully Made posters, Bible memory verse cards, and lapbook!
They’re a great companion to the book Wonderfully Made, and the perfect way to teach your kids about life in the womb!
Autographed from Danika Cooley: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth
Amazon: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth
Amazon UK: Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth
Christian Book: Wonderfully Made: God’s story of life from conception to birth
Grab a Pregnancy Resource / Gift Bundle of 10 or 15 copies and save!
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Lynell says
Love your books!
Judith Martinez says
I love biographies! They’re such a wonderful way to learn about faith and history.
Julie Patterson says
Thanks for sharing the book recommendations!
Mercy says
Great material for our kids. Thanks for sharing with others as we lead our children in the ways of the Lord.
Melinda Miller says
Most interested in Corrie Ten Boom to begin with, for sure.
Leigh Owens says
I thought I was most excited about Spurgeon, but C.S. Lewis would be great since we’ve read the Narnia series together.
Jennifer Lavallee says
Would love to win box # 1 with Amy Carmicheal, George Muller, etc. Awesome giveaway!
Heather W says
These books are a great start to teaching your kids not just Christian history but about the sacrifices so many people have made before us.
Kirsten says
Looks great I hope I can use it one day
Elisabeth says
Wow! These books look amazing! I love all of the life stories of the first set. I’m really looking forward to reading these.
Anna says
Ooooh. These look neat! I hadn’t seen this series yet.
Jessica Brammer says
Wow! Those seem like great books. I am interested in the corrie ten boom one especially.
Andrea Supe says
This looks great! Thanks for the contest. We love the book wonderfully made.
Amy F says
These books look like great resources! Thank you!
Angie says
These books look great! Most interested in George Mueller and all he did with orphans.
Joy says
Thanks for sharing all of these useful Christian literatures for kids.
With love from Indonesia
Elizabeth says
I am most excited about C.S Lewis! Thanks for the giveaway.
Charissa says
I love books and want my kids to love reading and books. Thank you for offering this giveaway.
Judy says
I just started homeschooling this year and really excited to continue it. I want my kids to read good books. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
LeAnn Harbert says
This is a great way to introduce these leaders to my granddaughters.
Beth Anne Witmer says
This is a great giveaway! I’ve had these books on my wish list for awhile.
Merysa Cortez says
These books are SO CUTE! The book about Gladys Aylward looks very interesting! They are so neat! 🙂
Holly Prescott says
Great giveaway!
Carol says
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book set. What a perfect way for my four year old great grandson to learn. I plan to purchase the other sets, too.
Judith Martinez says
These look perfect for my youngest who isn’t quite ready for the YWAM biographies.
Natasha says
I would love these for our homeschool library. Love all your book recommendations. Helps us out finding bibial basis books for kids.
Lydia Middlebrooks says
My kids absolutely loved these books!
Molly says
My family has a passion for missions and loves to hear stories at dinner. It would be great to have some tailored to the younger kids.
Kendra says
We enjoy reading these books & sharing them with my niece as well.
Jackie Staples says
We love the little lights books because they are such a wonderful example to our children of Christian role models! Thank you for the opportunity to win some more of these wonderful books!
Rebecca says
Neat
Greta Hernandez says
My children are older than the audience of the Little Lights books, but I would love to have these for my great-nieces and nephews who are being brought up in truth! What great books!
Leela says
I love that they are Christian books for kids.
Heather Turner says
These books would be a perfect way to teach my 3 year old biblical history. Also, we could pass it down to his other siblings !
Charlotte Kirby says
The books are about well-known servants of the LORD. I would like to read them myself. 🙂
Sarah Oldre says
We have a couple of these already, and love them!