Catholic Books for Teaching Children About Their Faith

As parents, grandparents, and Catholic educators, we want our children to know and love their faith—not simply learn about it.

We want them to know who Jesus is, understand the stories of Scripture, recognize the beauty of the Catholic faith, and grow in their own relationship with God. But teaching children about the faith does not have to mean sitting down for a formal lesson every day.

Sometimes, faith can begin with something as simple as opening a book together.

Children naturally learn through stories, pictures, questions, and repetition. A faith-filled children's book can become a wonderful tool for helping young hearts discover God's love and making faith a natural part of everyday family life.

At Marie Madeleine, we believe in planting seeds of faith in little hands and helping families keep Christ at the center of their homes. Our Children's Book Collection includes resources designed to help families introduce children to Scripture, Jesus, the saints, prayer, and the Catholic faith.

Two books that offer meaningful ways to begin are The Children's Bible – in Colour and the Stations of the Cross Story Book.

The Children's Bible – in Colour: Helping Children Discover God's Word

The Bible tells the story of God's love and His plan for His people, but the size and language of an adult Bible can sometimes feel overwhelming for young children.

A children's Bible can give little ones an approachable way to begin discovering the stories of Scripture.

The Children's Bible – in Colour brings Bible stories to life through colorful illustrations and child-friendly storytelling, helping children become familiar with the people, places, and events they hear about at home, at school, and at church.

Reading Scripture with your child can become a simple and meaningful family tradition.

You might read a Bible story together before bedtime, choose a story to go along with something your child is learning at Catholic school, or simply open the Bible when your child has questions about God or Jesus.

The goal isn't to turn every reading session into a lesson. Instead, it is to help children become comfortable with God's Word and understand that Scripture is something they can return to throughout their lives.

Simple Ways to Read the Bible With Your Child

You don't need a complicated routine. Try:

• Reading one Bible story together before bedtime
• Asking your child what stood out to them
• Looking at the illustrations and talking about what they see
• Connecting Bible stories to what your child hears at Mass
• Revisiting favorite stories throughout the year
• Letting your child choose which story to read

A few minutes spent reading together can create opportunities for conversations about God, prayer, forgiveness, courage, love, and following Jesus.

Stations of the Cross Story Book: Teaching Children About Jesus' Passion

For Catholic families, teaching children about Jesus also means helping them understand the mystery of His Passion and the Cross.

The Stations of the Cross can be difficult for young children to fully understand. The events are profound, and the suffering Jesus endured can raise difficult questions.

The Stations of the Cross Story Book provides an age-appropriate way for families to begin introducing children to this important Catholic devotion.

Rather than expecting children to understand everything at once, parents can use the book to slowly walk through the Stations with them, helping them learn about Jesus' suffering, His love for us, and His sacrifice on the Cross.

This can be especially meaningful during Lent, when Catholic families are intentionally preparing their hearts for Easter.

But the Stations of the Cross don't have to be something children encounter only during Lent. Reading about the Stations throughout the year can help children gradually become more familiar with this beautiful Catholic devotion.

Ways to Use the Stations of the Cross Story Book

Consider using the book:

• During Lent as part of your family's prayer routine
• Before attending Stations of the Cross at your parish
• After attending Stations to help your child understand what they experienced
• As a quiet time of reflection with your child
• When teaching children about Jesus' Passion
• Alongside other Lenten activities and prayers

As you read, pause to ask simple questions:

What do you think Jesus was feeling?

Why do you think Jesus was willing to suffer for us?

What does this show us about how much Jesus loves us?

These conversations can help children move beyond simply knowing the events of the Stations of the Cross and begin to understand the love behind them.

Two Books, Two Ways to Teach Children About Jesus

The Children's Bible – in Colour and the Stations of the Cross Story Book approach faith formation from different directions, but together they can help children grow in their understanding of Jesus.

The Children's Bible – in Colour helps children discover the stories of Scripture and become familiar with God's Word.

The Stations of the Cross Story Book helps Catholic children learn about Jesus' Passion and begin to understand the depth of His love and sacrifice.

Together, they can become part of a child's growing faith library—a collection of books that children can return to as they grow.

How to Use Catholic Books to Teach Your Children the Faith

We teach our children about faith through many different things: our words, our example, our prayers, our participation in Mass, and the traditions we create within our homes.

Books can become another beautiful part of that process.

1. Read Together

Whenever possible, sit with your child while reading a faith-filled book. Even a few minutes together can create a meaningful opportunity for connection.

2. Ask Questions

You don't need to have all the answers. Let your child's questions guide the conversation.

“What do you think happened next?”

“Why do you think Mary did that?”

“What can we learn from Jesus?”

Simple questions can lead to beautiful conversations.

3. Connect Books to the Church Year

Some books naturally connect with particular seasons and celebrations.

Read Bible stories throughout the year, explore the Stations of the Cross during Lent, and introduce stories about saints around their feast days.

This helps children begin to see how the Catholic faith is woven into the rhythm of everyday life.

4. Let Children Read the Same Stories Again and Again

Children often love repetition, and there is a reason for it. Returning to familiar stories gives children opportunities to notice something new as they grow and understand more.

A story that seems simple to a four-year-old may take on a completely different meaning when that same child reads it again at seven or eight.

5. Create a Faith-Filled Bookshelf

Consider creating a small space in your home where your child's faith-filled books are easily accessible.

Keep children's Bibles, saint books, prayer books, and other Catholic resources where your child can reach them.

When faith-filled books are part of the environment children grow up in, they become a natural part of everyday life.

Planting Seeds of Faith Through Books and Toys

You don't have to teach your child everything about the Catholic or Christian faith in one day.

Faith grows little by little—through prayer, Scripture, attending Mass, the example of parents and grandparents, meaningful conversations, and the everyday experiences that help children discover God's love.

Books can be a wonderful place to begin. A children's Bible can introduce little ones to God's Word, while a Stations of the Cross story can help Catholic children begin to understand Jesus' Passion and His great love for us. Faith-filled toys and gifts can also give children opportunities to encounter reminders of their faith through play and everyday life.

At Marie Madeleine, we believe that faith formation can begin in the little moments of childhood—through the stories we read, the prayers we teach, the traditions we create, and the things we place in our children's hands.

Our Children's Collection brings together Catholic and Christian books, toys, and faith-filled gifts designed to help children learn, play, pray, and grow in their relationship with God.

Whether you're looking for a children's Bible, a Catholic book about the Stations of the Cross, a meaningful faith-filled toy, or a special gift for a child, we hope you'll find something that helps your family keep Christ at the center.

Explore the Children's Collection at Marie Madeleine and discover faith-filled books, toys, and gifts for the children you love.

 

FAQ

Do these books make great resources for a Catholic classroom or Sunday school?

Absolutely. The Children's Bible – in Colour and the Stations of the Cross Story Book can both be meaningful resources for Catholic classrooms, religious education programs, and Sunday school settings.

The Children's Bible – in Colour can help introduce young children to Scripture through colorful illustrations and engaging stories, making it a helpful resource for classroom reading, religion lessons, or quiet reading areas.

The Stations of the Cross Story Book can be especially useful when teaching children about Jesus' Passion and the Catholic devotion of the Stations of the Cross. It can be incorporated into classroom lessons, Catholic religious education, or Lenten activities to help children better understand the events of Jesus' Passion.

Both books can also be placed in a classroom faith library, giving children the opportunity to revisit these stories throughout the school year.