The Story of Easter

If you're looking for a good introduction to Easter, suitable for young children,
The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry is a good choice.
The author begins by explaining that baby animals and new flowers arrive in the spring, and so does Easter - when we "remember Jesus and what He did for us." We learn that Jesus loved all the children, and moms and dads, too. We learn he was called "The Good Shepherd," and that people laid down palm branches in his path. But "some men did not like Jesus. They put Him on a cross to die. His friends were sad." (The accompanying illustration shows three empty crosses in the background and, in the foreground, some people looking very sad.) Yet on the very first Easter Sunday, an angel met some of those friends and told them Jesus was alive again. That's why we celebrate Easter - because Jesus lived again. We go to church on Easter and often churches have crosses to remind us of Jesus. The author concludes that on Easter we should remember that "He gave his life for us so that we can live too."
What I Like: This is a super-simple book that gives small children the basics without bogging them down with lots of details they may not understand just yet.
What I Dislike: The illustrations by Lorraine Wells are fine, but some are not of very good quality.
Overall Rating: Very good.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but I think it's more appropriate for children 2 - 6.
Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press, 1997; ISBN: 0824940903; board book, $6.95.
Buy Now at Amazon.com for $6.95
Special Info: Some Christians will object to a few of the illustrations, which depict Jesus Christ.