At our house, we read A LOT of children's books, and we want to share some of our favorites with you! In this post, we've included our favorite Easter board books and picture books. Feel free to skim the list and see if any "ap-peel" to your family (oh...egg jokes! 😂). We hope you enjoy!
Board Books
Ten Easter Eggs
Written By: Vijaya Bodach
Illustrated By: Laura Logan
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (2015)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description:
Ten eggs.
All is quiet. Not a peep.
Nine eggs.
One chick hatches. "Cheep, cheep, cheep."
Follow and count along as ten quiet Easter eggs become ten colorful chicks ready to celebrate the holiday!
Why We Love It
Colorful plastic eggs and fuzzy baby chicks invite readers to touch each page
Toddlers can't resist watching the eggs "hatch" with each page turn
Teaches counting to 10 (and counting backward from 10) as well as number combinations that add up to 10
Peter Cottontail's Easter Egg Hunt
Written By: Joseph R. Ritchie
Illustrated By: Rebecca Thornburgh
Publisher: CandyCane Press (2004)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Here is the Easter Bunny (as depicted in "Here Comes Peter Cottontail") off on another Easter adventure! Told in rhyming verse, author Joseph Ritchie weaves a delightful tale of Peter and his friends, off to hide the Easter treats. But this wonderful book, illustrated by Rebecca Thornburgh, holds hidden surprises, making the perfect Easter gift for young children.
Why We Love It
Large, sturdy pages with tons of interactive flaps
Catchy rhyming text and nostalgic illustrations
Teaches young kids opposites, colors, shapes, numbers, animals, and animal sounds
Great festive feel!
Picture Books
Here Comes Peter Cottontail!
Written By: Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins
Illustrated By: Lizzie Walkley
Publisher: WorthyKids (1950 & 2021)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: A perennial Easter favorite, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" has delighted children since Gene Autry first recorded the song in 1950. Today, Peter Cottontail is one of the most recognized and beloved Easter characters ever created. This sturdy book introduces little ones to Easter's favorite bunny with charming illustrations and the song's bouncy lyrics. With a durable design and beloved character, this book will be enjoyed by families for years to come.
Why We Love It
Book can be read or sung (if you're brave!) 😊
Bright, colorful illustrations
Includes holiday stickers and sticker scene in the back
The Story of the Easter Bunny
Written By: Katherine Tegen
Illustrated By: Sally Anne Lambert
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers (2005)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Everyone knows who the Easter Bunny is. Each year, he comes with a basket of painted eggs and chocolates for children. But not everybody knows where he comes from. On a snow-cold day in a snug little house... So begins the true story of the Easter Bunny!
Why We Love It
Clever, charming story about the origin of the Easter bunny; great resource for answering little ones' questions 😊
Beautiful illustrations that perfectly capture the transition from winter to spring
My favorite Easter picture book; one of the few books that I look forward to reading every Easter season!
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs
By: Janet Morgan Stoeke
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books (2006)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Minerva Louise is enjoying springtime on the farm . . . until she finds some peculiar eggs. Blue eggs, pink eggs, striped and spotted eggs. They're in the strangest places! Which hen is laying her eggs on top of fence posts and under the picnic table? Minerva Louise solves the mystery, and fans will delight in the hilarious return of their favorite daffy chicken.
Why We Love It:
Cute story with a clever perspective
Loveable main character
Great ending!
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers
Looking for Easter
Written By: Dori Chaconas
Illustrated By: Margie Moore
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co. (2008)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Little Bunny can sense something new in the air, and it smells like sunshine and warm breezes. "It smells like Easter!" his friends tell him. But Little Bunny wonders: what is Easter? So he sets out through the forest on an early spring day to find out... This sweet, simple story by Dori Chaconas conveys the spirit of the season through nature, while Margie Moore's gentle, detailed watercolors reveal the new life of springtime.
Why We Love It:
Well-written story
Reveals the true meaning of Easter in a simple, kid-friendly way
Underlying themes of friendship and helping others
Pick a Perfect Egg
Written By: Patricia Toht
Illustrated By: Jarvis
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2023)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
Pick a perfect egg with care—
Choose a white one nestled there.
Gather more and softly stack them.
Just be cautious not to crack them!
This holiday ode hops through a busy springtime day all the way to Easter Sunday. From the farm where you’ve carefully selected your eggs—eggs perfect for drawing on with crayon, for plopping into dyes and bejeweling—follow along as preparations continue for the much-awaited festivities. Then on Sunday, open your door and search for eggs of a different kind, filled with foil-wrapped chocolate, spinning tops, and jelly beans. This cheerful Easter-time read-aloud captures all the excitement of the holiday and is sure to become part of a new treasured tradition.
Why We Love It:
Interesting bouncy rhyming text
Gorgeous illustrations
Hits many of the holiday highlights for kids
Part of one of my favorite holiday book series!
Is This...Easter?
By: Helen Yoon
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2024)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Look, an egg! An egg left by a bunny! What does that mean? It means it’s time to celebrate . . . Easter! Or is it time to celebrate...breakfast? Helen Yoon’s fresh and hilarious take on the Easter holiday—part of a quirky new series of picture books—is a delightful blend of bumbling affection and slack-jawed wonder.
Why We Love It:
This book surprised me. It's a fresh (and clever) take on an Easter book!
The illustrations (and sound effects) carry the story; I love how the bear solves the dispute without saying a word!
It's funny!
Dino-Easter
Written By: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated By: Barry Gott
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2022)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Celebrate with the dinos as they gather flowers for a spring bouquet, throw an egg painting party, pet newborn farm animals, visit a chocolate factory, and join an Easter parade with Peter Clobbertail. At last it's time for the egg hunt. Will Raptor finally get to eat his treats?
Why We Love It:
We LOVE dinos!
Rollicking rhyming text that perfectly captures each dinosaur's personality
Fabulous illustrations, some of which are inspired by a very famous chocolate factory
Hits many of the high points of the holiday for kids
Bunny's BIG Surprise
By: Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
Publisher: Charlesbridge (2020)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Bunny is hopping for joy! He's found an egg perfect for Easter decorating. But when it starts hatching, Bunny is in for a big surprise...
Why We Love It:
Classic illustrations
Not a typical Easter story!
Unexpected twist when the egg hatches; Nolan (2) loves the surprise!
Introduces kids to the landscape and animals in the Georgia wetlands
Peter Easter Frog
Written By: Erin Dealey
Illustrated By: G. Brian Karas
Publisher: Atheneum Books For Young Readers (2021)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Here comes Peter Easter Frog, hopping down his favorite log. Hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its—wait. Easter FROG?
Peter Easter Frog loves, loves, LOVES Easter, so he decides to pass out some of his own Easter eggs. Why should Bunny have all the fun, anyway? Turtle, Cow, Dog, and Chipmunk all agree. But what happens when the Easter Bunny finds out?
Why We Love It:
Clever, revamped version of "Here comes Peter Cottontail"
The song lyrics get interrupted with funny dialogue
Fun ragtag group of characters
Great ending!
One of my new favorite Easter books!
The Tale of Three Trees
Retold By: Angela Elwell Hunt
Illustrated By: Tim Jonke
Publisher: David C Cook (1989)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: This best-selling children's book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Children will be deeply touched as they understand, perhaps for the first time, the significance of Christ's life and his atoning sacrifice on the cross.
Why We Love It:
Beautiful story
Interesting point of view
Gives me goosebumps every time I read it!
I Am NOT the Easter Bunny
By: T.L. McBeth
Publisher: Flamingo Books (2024)
Recommended Ages: 4+
Book Description: Everyone, look! It's the Easter Bunny!
He says he’s just a regular ol’ fluffy white bunny, but he’s got a vest and a bow tie, and a big basket full of painted eggs and candy! He MUST be the Easter Bunny! Right?
Why We Love It:
Clever idea for a story
Funny!
Cute ending
Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit
By: Kimberly & James Dean
Publisher: HarperFestival (2023)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: It’s Easter morning, and Pete's Easter basket is nowhere to be found! Who could’ve taken it? Readers will love helping Pete and his friends find the Easter Basket Bandit and learn that sharing is the sweetest gift of all!
Why We Love It:
We love mysteries and Pete the Cat!
Great message about sharing and helping others
Full of Easter fun and treats!
We sincerely hope that you enjoy these books as much as we have! To receive monthly book recommendations, sign-up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page. Otherwise, if you have any Easter book recommendations for us, please type them in the comments below. We are ALWAYS looking for fun new books to read! 😊
Happy Easter and happy reading from our family to yours!