10+ Best Easter Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Easter books for 4-year-olds? Finding engaging and age-appropriate reading material can be a bit of a challenge, especially during festive seasons like Easter. Whether you're looking to gift a book or just want to build up your little one's holiday-themed library, we've got you covered. Keep reading as we dive into our curated lists of Easter books that are sure to captivate the imagination of any 4-year-old!

Fun Easter Books for 4-Year-Olds

• God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
  • Genre(s): Christian, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This book features Little Cub, who learns about Easter's Christian significance through conversations with Papa Bear. They explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the promise of eternal life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It gently introduces young readers to the religious aspects of Easter in a way that's understandable and comforting.
  • Perfect for: Young children and families seeking to incorporate religious education into their Easter celebrations.

• Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Interactive
  • Synopsis: The beloved character from "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" celebrates Easter with an egg hunt. Each egg reveals a different color, adding a fun learning component to the story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of Easter egg hunting with early learning concepts, making it both fun and educational.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy interactive and colorful stories.

• The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Hoppi, a young bunny, hopes to make the best Easter egg and win the chance to help the Easter Bunny. Along his journey, he discovers that the best gifts are those given from the heart.
  • Why we recommend this book: Jan Brett's intricate illustrations and heartwarming story provide a delightful reading experience that also teaches valuable lessons about generosity.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and beautifully illustrated, detailed picture books.

• Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Llama Llama experiences the excitement of Easter, including Easter eggs, candy, and fluffy surprises.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhyming text and familiar character of Llama Llama make this an engaging and comforting read for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic narratives and the charming adventures of Llama Llama.

• It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: P.J. Funnybunny is a bunny who doesn't want to be a bunny anymore. His journey through trying out being other animals teaches him about self-acceptance and the value of being oneself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and sweet tale that encourages self-discovery and acceptance, wrapped in a fun, engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring their own identities and those who enjoy a good laugh with a meaningful message.

Educational Easter Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen, illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Folklore
  • Synopsis: A charming folk tale that explains how the Easter Bunny started the tradition of delivering Easter eggs. It follows a little rabbit as he grows into his role and brings joy to children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of folklore, cultural traditions, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a whimsical origin story for a well-loved Easter tradition, beautifully illustrated to captivate young minds.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animal stories and folklore.

• Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Ollie and his gosling friends enjoy an Easter egg hunt, but Ollie wants all the eggs for himself. His friends teach him about sharing and enjoying the holiday together.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, sharing, holiday traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a simple, sweet story that teaches important lessons about friendship and sharing during a festive time.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers learning about cooperation and sharing.

• Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny! by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Duck and Goose try to find a hiding spot so they can watch the Easter Bunny arrive. Along the way, they learn about patience and teamwork.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, patience, observational skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It features lovable characters and teaches valuable social skills in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories about friendship and adventures.

• Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure by Kimberly and James Dean
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Pete the Cat takes on the task of helping the Easter Bunny in this groovy adventure. Along the way, he uses his creativity to find and decorate the eggs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, holiday knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines a popular character with a fun holiday mission, encouraging creativity and helpfulness.
  • Perfect for: Fans of Pete the Cat and young readers who love engaging, colorful stories.

• The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Kathy Couri
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A playful twist on the classic Clement C. Moore poem, this story explores the excitement and magic of Easter Eve as children prepare for the Easter Bunny's visit.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, anticipation of holidays, family traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the joyful anticipation of Easter with fun rhymes and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy festive holiday readings and playful, poetic narratives.

Challenging Easter Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Babushka, known for her beautifully painted eggs, saves a wounded goose. The goose, Rechenka, miraculously lays wonderfully colored eggs until one day an accident threatens to ruin the Easter festival.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story incorporates themes of magic realism and cultural depth, which are more complex for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the beauty of other cultures and the magic of folklore, wrapped in the spirit of Easter.
  • Perfect for: Children interested in art and cultural stories.

• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack
  • Genre(s): Classic, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This classic tale tells the story of a little country bunny who becomes one of the five Easter Bunnies despite her humble origins and the skepticism of the rich, white bunnies.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of perseverance, social class, and gender roles, which are sophisticated concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that teaches valuable lessons about determination and equality.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy timeless stories with moral lessons.

• The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous
  • Genre(s): Folklore, Holiday
  • Synopsis: One Easter morning, Katy and Carl discover the old Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of the egg tree, leading to a revival of this beautiful folk art in their family.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates elements of historical and cultural significance that require a deeper understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates creativity and the preservation of cultural heritage, inspiring children to learn about and cherish their own traditions.
  • Perfect for: Children who are creative and interested in history and traditions.

• Max's Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells
  • Genre(s): Animal Fiction, Holiday
  • Synopsis: After Max and his sister Ruby go on an Easter egg hunt, Max finds a chocolate chicken in the birdbath. He must outsmart Ruby to keep it for himself.
  • Why this book is challenging: The sibling dynamics and strategic thinking in the story add layers of complexity beyond a simple narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that also touches on themes of fairness and sharing.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about sibling relationships and clever resolutions.

• The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
  • Genre(s): Classic, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A lonely little bunny finds an egg, and he speculates about what is inside. His interaction with the egg leads to a wonderful surprise.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of suspense and the philosophical wondering about what could be inside the egg introduce young readers to abstract thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: This enchanting tale from a beloved author of children's literature explores themes of curiosity and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Children who love gentle mysteries and forming friendships.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading with your little ones can be a delightful way to celebrate the season, especially with Easter-themed books that are colorful, engaging, and just right for 4-year-olds. Here are some fun reading exercises you can incorporate to make storytime even more beneficial and enjoyable. These activities are designed to nurture good reading habits and enhance comprehension skills in young readers.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of the Easter book before reading, looking at and talking about the pictures.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions like "What do you think is happening here?" to stimulate imagination and narrative skills.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Create a simple map or chart of the story’s main events with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and sequencing events.
  • Tips: Use drawings or stickers to represent different parts of the story, making it more engaging for your child.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out parts of the story or take turns being different characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of characters and plot while encouraging expressive reading.
  • Tips: Use simple props like hats or toys to make the role-playing fun and vivid.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Have your child repeat phrases or sentences after you as you read together.
  • How it helps: Improves language skills and helps in memorizing common words.
  • Tips: Emphasize rhythmic and repetitive parts of the story to make repeating fun and easy.

• Creative Story Endings
  • What it is: Encourage your child to think of a different ending to the story or what happens next.
  • How it helps: Fosters creativity and critical thinking.
  • Tips: Discuss various outcomes and encourage your child to illustrate their new ending.

Using these exercises during your reading sessions will not only make reading more interactive and fun but also enhance your child’s literacy skills at an early age. So grab your favorite Easter books, snuggle up, and enjoy a festive storytime that’s both entertaining and educational!