Our blessed hope

Something Better Coming

Megan Saben

In lyrical verse, Saben highlights the miraculous resurrections of the widow’s son, Jairus’ daughter, and beloved Lazarus. With each example of Jesus’ power over death, Saben’s gentle words remind readers “There’s something better coming.” The book culminates with Jesus’ triumph over the grave and the hope all followers of Christ can have about a future “free from death for all eternity.” Ryan Flanders’ soft sketches harmonize with the story, including the subtle inclusion of an Easter lily that flourishes as hope grows. (Ages 3-8)

Darkest Night, Brightest Day

Marty Machowski

Machowski designed this unique 14-day devotional in two parts. Families can begin reading the first portion, Darkest Night, during the week before Easter Sunday. Those entries trace the final week of Jesus’ earthly life leading up to “the darkest night in history.” Readers then flip the book over to continue with Part 2, Brightest Day, during Easter week. This section opens with Jesus’ resurrection and spotlights “stories of people changed by Christ’s resurrection power.” All of the readings feature Phil Schorr’s colorful illustrations and questions to guide family discussion. (Ages 5-10)

A Jesus Easter

Barbara Reaoch

To help children understand the scope of Easter and God’s epic rescue plan, Reaoch begins her devotional study in the Old Testament. She then moves through key events of the Easter story while highlighting the roles various people (including Pilate, Barabbas, and Joseph of Arimathea) had in God’s unfolding story. Reaoch frames each of the 30 lessons around three themes: God’s plan for Easter, the serpent’s lies, and Jesus’ truth. The readings offer discussion questions targeted for younger and older children, as well as family coloring pages and journaling space. (Ages 5-12)

Journey to the Cross

Paul David Tripp

Older tweens and teens could read with their parents this 40-day Lenten devotional. Tripp writes that the season of Lent “is not about what you are doing or are committing yourself to do for God, but about what He has done and is now doing for you.” Although Lent will already be underway when this issue reaches mailboxes, families picking up the book in the final weeks before Easter can still reap benefit from the many stand-alone chapters encouraging readers to mourn their sin while finding deep joy in Christ. (Ages 12 and up)

Afterword

In The Story of God With Us, authors Kenneth Padgett and Shay Gregorie seek to show children how throughout history God has orchestrated everything “So He could dwell with us, and we with Him.” Aedan Peterson’s illustrations beautifully ­capture the ways God has dwelt with His people—from the Garden of Eden to the wilderness tabernacle—­culminating with Immanuel’s birth and resurrection. The book’s conclusion reminds children that this epic story is still unfolding, and one day all of God’s people will be united with Him in the new creation, “Always and forever, world without end.”

For families daunted by the goal of daily using a Lenten devotional in the weeks leading up to Easter, Scott James offers another option in The Risen One. This small book features 12 brief devotions with Scripture and questions to “connect with kids.” Although James suggests families begin reading the devotions 10 Sundays before Easter, families could also choose to read them over a shorter period of time. —K.C.