Board Books!: Deep Theology for Little Ones

It's tempting to think books for the youngest kids in our midst don't need to have depth because, well, they're still figuring out how to talk and walk! Reading books to them with deep theology can seem like a fool's errand, at best, and some form of torture for both reader and child, at worst.

However, there is a kind of ordinary magic in reading aloud to babies and toddlers that connects both the reader and the listener. Just the practice can build a bond of trust and help illuminate the words and pictures on the page. How many of us remember the themes of Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, or The Napping House and have fond memories with them? You don't have to look far to find that board books have shaped hearts and minds. The best books for read-alouds shape both participants for good.

It's with this in mind, that I've compiled a list of some of my favorite board books with deep theology to encourage parents and ministry readers to engage babies and toddlers with them. Many of these are my go-to baby shower gifts and fill my own church nursery.

Big Theology for Little Hearts Series

Each volume of this series covers a component of Systematic Theology by defining key words and using short, helpful sentences of truth for toddlers and their parents to learn. The illustrations are bright and engaging for little ones. 

Tiny Theologians 

This board book series covers an attribute of God by using engaging questions and whimsical illustrations to teach important personal applications for each attribute, For example, Did God Learn His ABC's is all about how God is omniscient and why that means that we can trust him.

Training Young Hearts

Each book in this series is a bright and fun lift-the-flap title uses refrains to help explain the way God made us to use our bodies (moral law) and how Christ gives us a perfect example and offers forgiveness and grace when we fail.

For the Bible Tells Me So series

Each book in this series teaches kids the gospel through an important biblical doctrine and roots it in Scripture.

The Kingdom of God Rhyming Board Book

This beautifully produced board book gives toddlers an overview of Genesis-Revelation with rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

Biggest Story ABCs

This board book features the enchanting illustrations seen throughout the Biggest Story material by Don Clark and walks toddlers through the big picture of the Bible using the ABCs.

Baby Believer Series

This series focuses on using concepts that babies and toddlers are typically learning (shapes, sounds, colors, animals, etc.) and uses them to also teach them about the character of God or a Bible verse.

Hymns for Little Ones

This series takes the lyrics to classic (and theologically rich!) hymns and pairs it with adorable illustrations that help tell a story that mirror the lesson of the hymn.

 Browse our full collection of biblically faithful books for 0-3 year olds here!