Church history doesn’t have to be dry with these amazing children’s books.
Learn your Christian family history! We all love to learn about our ancestors – and we want to tell the stories of our spiritual ancestors to our children. Good children’s books can make this so much easier!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1
We are blessed to have a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith watching us from above! The church has commemorated and celebrated the lives and sacrifice of Christian believers on a special day since the 4th Century. At first, they honored the early Christian martyrs who gave their lives for the faith. But soon this celebration included other Christians who lived heroic lives and died in the faith.
In the traditional church calendar All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1st. Even if you are not in a traditional church, you and your family will benefit from learning about Christians from history who have exhibited great faith.
Below is a collection of illustrated books and chapter books that will delight, inform, and inspire you and your family. Note: Most of these illustrated books are not really “picture books” aimed at the preschool crowd but are aimed at 6 and up, though an attentive 4- or 5-year-old might also enjoy the stories. The ages that are listed are interest level rather than reading level.
You can pick just a few of these books to read this month. Take your time and read them more than once. Easy additional activities include:
- Find the Christian in time by adding him or her to a timeline and seeing who else lived around their time, before them, and right after them.
- Find them in space by looking for their location on a map or globe.
- Find the reality in the story. All these books are considered historical fiction because they contain information that is not historically verified, such as conversation. Because these books are on ancient believers, there is a lot of reasonable conjecture, literary devices to move the story (such as additional characters), and reliance on legend. Some of the legends have roots in reality, while other legends are undoubtedly allegory or even pure fantasy. For instance, Christopher is totally legendary to the point that the Catholic church no longer lists him in their calendar of saints. Discuss with your children what they think is true and what is just legend in the books you read. Of course, sometimes what seems unbelievable, like being swallowed by a great fish, is not legend, but a true event.
Overview Books on Ancient and Medieval Christians
The Church History ABC’s, Stephen J. Nichols and Ned Bustard. Ages 5+. From Augustine to Zwingli, this book covers 26 men and women across the centuries and around the world who lived and died for the glory of God. Each section is short with illustrations that impart information making this a great introduction or overview for all ages. This book includes six ancient church saints: Ignatius, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Monica, Augustine, and Patrick, in addition to 20 medieval and modern saints.
Peril and Peace, Volume 1: Chronicles of the Ancient Church, Mindy and Brandon Withrow. Ages 8+. The enjoyable and informative short chapters tell the story of the lives of early church fathers in a story format. These “fictionalized” accounts are based on extensive historical research and incorporate quotes from the character’s actual writings. Each chapter concludes with a brief historical summary to help wrap up the events and give perspective on the formation of the canon, early creeds, and councils, etc. Chapters include stories about Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, the Cappadocians, Ambrose, Augustine, Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, and Benedict.
Monks and Mystics, Volume 2: Chronicles of the Medieval Church, Mindy and Brandon Withrow. Ages 8+. The next enjoyable and informative chapter book in the series on the history of the church with an emphasis on the lives of early church leaders in a story format as well as information on the new Universities, the Crusades, the spread of Islam, and the beginning of the Reformation. Chapters include stories about Gregory the Great, Boniface, Charlemagne, Constantine and Methodius, Vladimir, Anselm, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Sienna, John Wycliff, and John Hus.
Books on Early Church Christians AD 100 to AD 1000
The Legend of Saint Christopher, from the Golden Legend, Margaret Hodges. Ages 6+. While the story of 3rd century Christopher is more legend than history, this is an inspiring story of the necessity of humbly receiving Christ in our lives to truly find purpose, joy, and peace.
Christopher, The Holy Giant, Tomie dePaola. Ages 5+. A lovely and gentle retelling of the giant who wanted to serve a mighty king and ended up being a “Bearer-of-Christ”.
St. Valentine, Robert Sabuda. Ages 5+. Exquisite mosaic illustrations enhance this powerful story of the 3rd century Christian minister and martyr. In this legendary rendition a jailor brings his blind daughter to Valentine who is also a physician. Valentine befriends them and cares for the blind girl. After being imprisoned he sends the girl a note and crocus “from her Valentine”, at which time she miraculously regains her sight.
Santa, Are You For Real? Harold Myra. Ages 4+. Children discover there really was a Saint Nicholas. They will learn when he lived and why he gave gifts. There is much more to St. Nick than Santa Claus and this is a great start to learning about this saint. The older 1977 version is better because it has more text and we like the illustrations better.
Saint Jerome and the Lion, Margaret Hodges. Ages 6+. Jerome lived from AD 342-420 and is most well-known for translating the Bible into Latin in what is now known as the Vulgate. He was a theologian, priest, and historian who wrote commentaries on the whole Bible and taught on the Christian life. This delightful book by Ms. Hodges includes the medieval legend of Jerome befriending a lion by removing a thorn from his paw. While fanciful, this gentle story stresses the values of trust, kindness, and innocent until proven guilty. An older illustrated out-ot-print version is very pricey, but you can view and read an online copy for free at St. Jerome and the lion : Hodges, Margaret, 1911-2005 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.
Athanasius, Simonetta Carr. Ages 7+. This engaging historical biography (not fictionalized) tells the story of Athanasius and his time in brief chapters with helpful maps, photographs of historical locations, and both classical artwork and modern illustrations which pull the book together. In addition to the story, the book covers the doctrines and heresies that Athanasius dealt with and the development of the Nicene Creed. There are other books in this series of Christian Biographies for Young Readers that are probably wonderful. I have not yet read all of them and only list what I have personally read. But you might want to check out the ones on Irenaeus, and Anselm of Canterbury.
Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, Tomie dePaola. Ages 5+. This story covers Patrick from his noble birth in Britain in AD 390, to his capture and slavery in Ireland, to his escape, and to his call to go back to Ireland to share the love of Christ. This well told and illustrated book reveals the real story of Patrick and still includes the legendary fanciful aspects separately in pages at the end. This is a good resource to discuss legend vs reality.
Augustine of Hippo, Simonetta Carr. Ages 7+. Another engaging historical biography (not fictionalized) by Ms. Carr. This one tells the story of Augustine and his time in brief chapters with helpful maps, photographs of historical locations, and both classical artwork and modern illustrations which pull the book together. In addition to the story, the book covers the faith of his longsuffering mother Monica, doctrines he taught, and Manichee, Donatist, and Pelagian heresies that he refuted.
The Man who Loved Books, Jean Fritz, illuminated by Trina Schart Hyman. Ages 6+. A delightful biography of 6th century Irish believer, Columba, who was obsessed with books. This flawed man grew in integrity and lived a life honoring God, the Bible, his calling, and his country. Splendid illustrations and Columba’s pet crane add delight for all ages.
Caedmon’s Song, Ruth Ashby. Ages 5+. A 7th-century cowherd became known as the first English poet. In a time when hardly anyone knew how to read or write, people recited stories by heart. On feast days they passed around the harp so that everyone could sing a poem. But Caedmon could not and would not sing. Then he dreamed a man commanding him to sing. He opened his mouth, sang “Caedmon’s Hymn”, which is included in the book. Thereafter he gave up his cows to become a monk serving God by creating poems and songs.
The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane, C. M. Milen. Ages 6+. While fictional this lovely tale honors the nameless monks who painstakingly copied the Scriptures and other books and thereby passed the ancient knowledge to us today.
Books on Medieval christians AD 1000 to AD 1400
Hildegard’s Gifts, Megan Hoyt. Ages 5+. 12th century Hildegard von Bingen was a theologian, visionary, poet, and scientist. A helpful visit from the monk Bernard of Clairvaux reminded her that her writings and music were gifts to the world.
Good King Wenceslas, J.M. Neale. Ages 5+. The good king generously shares with a peasant family and experiences a miracle. This 19th century carol is based on the story of 10th century Wenceslas who lived in Bohemia, the modern Czech Republic.
Stephen’s Feast, Jean Richardson. Ages 5+. The youngest page at the court of Wenceslas accompanies his king on a mission and learns compassion and generosity.
If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket, Barbara Willard. Ages 8+. Edmund and Simon, orphaned twins, are split up when Edmund enters the service of the king and Simon goes to work for the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The story covers from when all relations, no matter how distant, of Becket were sent into exile with him through his murder. Exciting historical fiction at its best.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, The Life and Stories of St. Francis, Margaret Mayo. Ages 5+. My favorite book about Francis has short chapters that are wonderful read aloud to the whole family. The first, third, and eleventh chapter cover what is probably true about his life. The tenth chapter is the famous poem, The Canticle of Brother Sun, The other chapters include the lovely legends about Francis and the animals which contain kernels of truth.
Saint Francis, Brian Wildsmith. Ages 6+. Born in 1181, Francis of Assisi rejected his wealthy background to follow the Lord’s call to repair the church. He led a life of poverty, good works, preaching, and started an order of holy men. The story is presented in first person – by Francis himself. Wildsmith’s magnificent illustrations grace the story which also covers Clare, Francis’s love for animals, and the first live nativity. While there are a few fanciful legends included, this book is fairly accurate.
Saint Francis and the Nativity, Myrna Strasser. Ages 5+. The fictional story of Mario, a young shepherd boy is woven with the historical first living nativity scene which was made by Francis.
The Song of Francis, Tomie dePaola. Ages 1-4. In this delightful picture book for your littlest ones Francis sings his praises inspires birds of every color to join him in his joyful celebration.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Katherine Patterson. All Ages. This gifted author re-imagines a hymn of praise originally written by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1224. The inspiring Canticle of Francis is beautifully illuminated with the exquisite illustrations of cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton.
The Clown of God, Tomie dePaola. All Ages. This French legend tells of a juggler offering the Christ Child the only gift he has. While this tale is not of a famous saint, it is a beautiful story of little boy who perfects his profession, experiences the good and the bad, and in the end of his life gives all to Christ. May we all be saints that live fully and die for Him.
Movies and DVD’s on Ancient and Medieval christians
The Perpetua Story. This animated video from Torchlighters, geared for 7+ years old, highlights the inspiring story of Perpetua, an affluent young Carthagenian mother who is charged with converting to Christianity and is subsequently martyred in AD 203. Available on Prime Video, in some libraries, and on Vimeo, and You Tube.
The Saint Patrick Story. Another animated video from Torchlighters geared for 7+ years old. This tells the story of Patrick emphasizing his biography rather than the legends around his life. Available in some libraries and on various places on the internet.
The Augustine Story. Another animated video from Torchlighters geared for 7+ years old. Although raised by a Christian mother, Augustine rejects the faith and seeks success in Roman culture. But after meeting Ambrose, he wrestles with what is true. Available in some libraries and on various places on the internet.
So whether you are wanting to do something formal for All Saints’ Day or simply want to dive into church history with your children, these living books provide a beautiful and powerful ways to draw them in through the power of story!