Pray n’ Play: Reading Challenge

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One of our favorite summer activities is a good reading challenge! So I whipped up one to incorporate faith into our everyday rhythms. This challenge is made to be an easy way to point your kids towards Jesus in the summer down-time.

I’ve paired the challenge with a big giant booklist below to help you check-off the challenges. I encourage you to read the books you have (including the actual Bible), use your local library, and browse virtual story times. Use on it’s own, or use the list below for some faith-filled options on additional reading challenges during the summer.

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*Share your summer reading with us on Instagram, and I’ll send your littles a temporary tattoo!  Share a photo of your summer reading, and tag @babydevotions. I’ll dm you to get your family your tattoos (offer valid as long as supplies last).

Use Your Local Library

I really encourage you to utilize your local library for this challenge. Not only will it save you money, but the more books are checked-out it shows the library what your community’s interests are and what type of books to buy.

Use your county library, interlibrary loan system, and book-request system to access a wide range of books.

We are apart of the Hennepin County Library System, so I will include links for those in our county who may find this helpful.

Put Books on Hold

Use your library’s online catalog to access all the books in your county’s library system. Place them on hold to pick-up at your local library, and enjoy reading.

Hennepin County Library Catalog

Use the Interlibrary Loan System

You can access books across the country using the Interlibrary loan system. Ask your local librarian how your system works.

Minnesota Interlibrary Loan System

Request Books

If all else fails, request the book you’re looking for. I have had the best luck requesting books that have been released in the past year. Books that are still in the pre-order stage, or have not been out long enough to be reviewed are less likely to be approved.

Request a Book for Hennepin County Library

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Christian Biographies

–Picture Book Biographies of Black Christians (book list)

–Christians to Teach Your Kids About (book list)

-‘Do Great Things for God’ Series (Ages 4+)

-‘Here I Am!’ Series (Ages 6+)

–The Hiding Place: The Graphic Novel by Corrie Ten Boom (Ages 8+)

–Dragon Slayers : Features a collection of Christian Biographies (Ages 8+)

Books about God and Science

Indescribable for Little Ones by Louie Giglio(Ages 1+)

Dem Bones by Bob Barner (Ages 3+)

Why Did God Make Worms by Olivia Calaway (Ages 3+)

God’s Little Astronomer by Tina Cho (Ages 3+)

God’s Little Oceanographer by Tina Cho (Ages 3+)

An Indigenous Celebration of Nature Series by Kaitlin B. Curtice (Ages 4+)

The Things God Made by Andy McGuire (Ages 5+)

Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science by Louie Giglio (Ages 6+)

Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop by Brock Eastman (Ages 7+)

Prayer Books

Prayer Books for Preschoolers (book list)

How Can I Pray by Steph Williams (Ages 3+)

Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler (Ages 6+)

All The Things I Say to God by Tanner Olson (Ages 4+)

Books About Christians Around the World

I Know Who I Am by Dorena Williamson (Ages 3+)

A World of Praise by Deborah Lock (Ages 3+)

My Breakfast with Jesus by Tina Cho  (Ages 4+)

Rice From Heaven by Tina Cho  (Ages 4+)

Saints Around the World by Meg Hunter-Kilmer (Ages 4+)

The Big Book of Christians Around the World by Sophie de Mullenheim (Ages 6+)

Window on the World by Molly Wall (Ages 8+)

Indescribable Atlas Adventures (Ages 6+)

Adaptations of Bible Stories About Jesus

The Man in the Tree and the Brand New Start by Carl Laferton (Ages 3+)

The Friend Who Forgives by Dan DeWitt (Ages 3+)

The Storm That Stopped by Alison Mitchell (Ages 3+)

Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler (Ages 3+)

Little Me, Big God: Stories About Jesus by Steph Williams (Ages 3+)

Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus by John Hendrix (Ages 6+)

The Story of Easter by Drew Pocza (Ages 8+)

Bible Adventures Series by Leslie Barklay (Ages 8+)

God With Us by Matt Mikalatos (Ages 8+)

Christian Audiobooks

The Beginner’s Bible (Ages 3+)

Cul-de-Sac Kids by Beverly Lewis (Ages 5+)

Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 5+)

Lifeway Niños Storybook Podcast (Ages 5+)

The Dead Sea Squirrels by Mike Nawrocki (Ages 5+)

How Great Is Our God by Louie Giglio (Ages 7+)

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas (Ages 7+)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Ages 7+)

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith (Ages 7+)

The Bible Recap for Kids by Tara-LeighCobble (Ages 8+)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein (Ages 8+)

Christian Fiction Books

Coop Helps Out by Sarah Reju (Ages 3+)

Little Mole Series by Glenys Nellist (Ages 3+)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Board Book by C.S. Lews (Ages 3+)

Parable Series by Liz Curtis Higgs (Ages 3+)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Picture Book C.S. Lewis (Ages 5+)

The Harmony Tree by Randy Woodley (Ages 5+)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Ages 7+)

Abigail Series by Bethany McIlrath (Ages 7+)

The Dead Sea Squirrels by Mike Nawrocki (Ages 7+)

The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul (Ages 7+)

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith (Ages 8+)

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (Ages 8+)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein(Ages 8+)

Bible Retellings Collection by Katy Morgan (Ages 8+)

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls by M.J. Thomas (Ages 8+)

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle (Ages 9+)

Faith-Filled Virtual Storytimes

Disciple-Making Mama (Read-aloud channel)

Read-alouds of The Very Best Bible Stories (Read by the Illustrator)

Big Sky Life Books (Read-aloud Channel)

Baby Believer Book Read-Alouds (Playlist)

Bilingual Storytime with Sally Lloyd-Jones

Auntie’s Library Faith-Based Read-Alouds (Playlist)

Story Anytime Christian Books (Playlist)

Brightly Storytime (Playlist)

The Good Book Company Children’s Read-Throughs (Playlist)

Dad’s Read-Aloud Stories: Christian Books (Playlist)

Kid Time Storytime: Christian Kids Books (Playlist)

Storybook Bible Recommendations

Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible by Joanna Rivard (Ages 2+)

God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook by Carl Laferton (Ages 3+)

Children of God Storybook Bible by Desmond Tutu (Ages 4+)

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 5+)

God’s Big Picture Bible Storybook by NT Wright (Ages 7+)

The Action Bible by Sergio Cariello

Spanish Storybook Bibles (book list)

Illustrated Psalm Books

David: A Bilingual Baby Devotion by Kayla Alonso   (Ages 0+)

Near: Psalm 139 by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 0+)

Known: Psalm 139 by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 0+)

Found: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 0+)

Strong: Psalm 1 by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 0+)

Happy: Psalm 92 by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Ages 0+)

Psalm 23: A Colors Primer by Danielle Hitchens (Ages 0+)

Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist (Ages 1+)

Psalms of Praise: A Movement Primer by Danielle Hitchens (Ages 2+)

Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval (Ages 2+)

Psalms for Little Hearts by Dandi Daley Macallan (Ages 3+)

God You Are: 20 Promises from the Psalms for Kids by William R. Osborne (Ages 3+)

Shout for Joy: Psalm 100 by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Ages 3+)

You See Me God: Psalm 139 by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Ages 3+)

A Voice As Soft As Honey Bee’s Flutter: Psalm 46 by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Safe with God: Psalm 91 by Agnes de Bezenac (Ages 3+)

En la Escuela de los Salmos/ At Psalms School by María Eugenia Cornou (Ages 5+)

Wonderfull: Ancient Psalms Ever New by Marty Machowski (Ages 8+)

Books About the Church

Books About the Church (book list)

Penny Preaches by Amy Dixon (Ages 3+)

Josie Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit by Esau McCaulley (Ages 3+)

Gathered at the Table by Glenys Nellist (Ages 3+)

God Made Me For Worship by Jared Kennedy (Ages 5+)

The World of the First Christians by Marc Olson (Ages 6+)

Bible Origins by Siku (Ages 8+)

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