The First Easter Day

Little kids love touch-and-feel books, so it was with delight that my 4 year old and I read The First Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord. This is a very simple book that begins with a picture of a little boy and his family walking to a white steeple church:

"We celebrate at Eastertime
when Jesus rose again.
I wonder what I would have done
if I had lived back then."

The following pages have the child imagining that if he'd been a bee, he would have buzzed to spread the news "that Jesus is alive;" if he'd been a frog, he would have bellowed hallelujahs; if he'd  been a bunny, he would have hopped to rejoice over the "risen Lord;" if he'd been a butterfly, he would have flitted his wings to "see the living King of kings;" if he'd been the sun, he would have pointed his raise to Jesus; if he'd been a kitten, he would have snuggled in his lap and "savored being with Him." On each page, there is a touch-and-feel element.

The last page goes back to the boy in church, admitting he's none of those things.

"I'm part of God's Creation who
can jump and shout with glee
and celebrate that Christ arose
to give new life to me!
Thank you, Jesus!"

What I Like: My child enjoyed the touch-and-feel elements, to be sure. So much, we had to read the book repeatedly before he really listened to the story. Then, he enjoyed the idea of imagining what it would be like to be all those different animals (or the sun) and see Jesus rise.

What I Dislike: If your child is unfamiliar with the Easter story, don't expect this book to clue him or her in. The author assumes your child knows that Jesus died and rose again - and why.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: toddler to preschool

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press; 2013; ISBN: 978-0824918927; board book, 16 pgs., $8.99

Buy Now at Amazon for $8.09
Or buy at ChristianBook.com for $7.19