Faith-Friendly Books to Read with Your Children

If your children look forward to story time at home, and you strive to bring them quality, faith-friendly books that they will love hearing, there’s a plentiful list of books to choose from. While some books are obviously Christian – You are Special by Max Lucado and The Blessings Jar by Colleen Coble – other childhood favorites may take you by surprise. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. LewisLewis was a strong Christian who loved sharing his faith in parables. In this story, the lion is uncompromisingly strict and self-sacrificing, witches are evil and lead you down the wrong path, and the wardrobe is every child’s ultimate place for adventurous fun. Children learn to characterize sin, sacrifice, and redemption in this beautifully written book. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderA small girl and her family relocate across the Central Plains in the United States as the author recalls her memories of family games, meals, struggles, and growing up in a Christian home with strict, but loving parents. Your children will learn about settlers crossing the plains and meeting Native Americans, fierce snowstorms that isolate towns from the rest of the world, and Ma mistaking a bear for a cow. Ms. Wilder teaches young readers about courage, responsibility, obeying your parents, and keeping the Sabbath holy.  The Giving Tree by Shel SilversteinA boy and his apple tree grow up and grow old together. Read how this boy matures into a greedy teenager, a morose middle-aged man, and a wise old man as the tree sacrifices everything possible to make the man’s life better. As the title predicts, the book is all about giving. For the tree, it is the ultimate sacrifice, but in the end, the man is blessed. And the tree is happy.The American Girl series by Various AuthorsHistory comes alive in these chapter books about pre-teen girls as they struggle through their everyday lives. Learn about depression with Kit Kittredge, Catholic traditions in Mexico with Josefina Montoya, the Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans with Kaya, and New Orleans during the yellow fever epidemic with Marie-Grace Gardner. These characters share their concern for others in every book, striving to right society’s wrongs and show God’s spirit in their actions. As you read these books aloud to your children, you will find yourself eagerly anticipating the next chapter almost as much as they are. Many of these books are part of a series, where adventures continue throughout the growing years of the main characters.The Orlando Catholic school's blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Catholic schools in Orlando, contact us at 407-246-4800.