Easter books for children often focus on the pleasures of spring: baby animals, colored eggs and the Easter Bunny in a basket.
Back-to-life is a reminder of the traditional Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre.
The sacred significance of the holiday, the resurrection of Jesus, is also found in a few Easter books for young readers. Together these two themes make wonderful reading for the season.
These stories come in all sizes, styles and variations. The format may range from simple board books to leather-covered children's Bibles. Even the original Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit" has been changed, modified and added-upon in picture books, audio tapes and toys.
The following are a few old and new favorites we found delightful for sharing:
"THE VERY FIRST EASTER," by Paul Maier, illustrated by Francisco Ordaz, Concordia, $7.49
While coloring eggs, Christopher asks his father about the meaning of Easter and "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Using Biblical references and explanation at a child's level, Jesus' trial, death and Resurrection becomes a family activity. Beautiful paintings make the Maier book a small treasure for any family collection.
"HE IS RISEN: The Easter Story," adapted from The New Testament by Elizabeth Winthrop, illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak, Holiday House, $17.95
This is a deftly told story of the Resurrection with stunning paintings by an award-winning team.
"EASTER IN THE GARDEN," by Pamela Kennedy, illustrated by David Wenzel, Ideals, $12.99
Micah is hunting eggs in the olive tree when he witnesses angry crowds who have killed Jesus. When he goes to retrieve the eggs later, he hears that Jesus is alive and with delight tells the eggs, "Jesus is alive, little bird!" A winsome story with stylized watercolor pictures. Children from 4-6 would enjoy this one.
"THE STORY OF EASTER: Read and Share," retold by Gwen Ellis, Nelson, $7.99
Told in cartoon-like pictures, the Passover story is told using quotations from Matthew, I Corinthians, Luke and Mark. One of the features of this book is a series of pictures that children can use to retell the story.
"THE COUNTRY BUNNY AND THE LITTLE GOLD SHOES," by DuBose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack, Houghton, $6.95
We usually think of there being only one Easter Bunny. "But this is not so. There are really five Easter bunnies … they do more work than most rabbits do in a whole year."
So begins this classical tale that has delighted children for 70 years.
When the common Country Bunny is selected as a special messenger at Easter, her hard work and good heart wins out in the end. The book has been reissued many times over the years and is worth having in the family library.
"THE GOLDEN EGG BOOK," by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, Golden Books, $8.99
This is another classic pulled from the archives of children's stories, which has delighted generation after generation. Here is Margaret Wise Brown's unique style, one of the simplest of stories but a memorable one. The youngest listener will love "The Golden Egg Book."
"THE BUNNY WHO FOUND EASTER," by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Helen Craig, Houghton, $6.99
This is the story of Bunny who tries to find "Easter" and figures it most be someplace east. All alone he follows his nose and mind through summer, fall and winter into the next spring. There he discovers other rabbit paw prints and understands that "Easter is not a place after all, but a time when everything is lovely and begins once again." This is a "new-beginning" kind of story for reading aloud.
"THE STORY OF THE EASTER BUNNY," by Katherine Tegar and Sally Anne Lambert, HarperCollins, $6.99
Here a little rabbit watches an old couple paint eggs, make chocolate and braid baskets for the village children. He steps in with his many animal friends to help distribute the goodies. This is a pleasing explanation, done in soft pastels and simple text, that tells where Easter baskets come from.
E-mail: marilou.sorensen@att.net