One distinctive—and growing—dimension of the McKay Educational Resource Centre is our collection of picture books. Picture books are a valuable resource for ministry in a variety of settings. Teachers throughout the ages—including Jesus—have conveyed important messages through stories and parables: they are a powerful tool for teaching and transformation.
Picture books are an important part of ministry with children and their families, particularly during difficult times. Our collection includes books about death, dying, separation, divorce, and anxiety. Because they distill big ideas and concepts into simpler forms, picture books are ideal for introducing challenging topics and inviting listeners of all ages into deeper wondering and conversation.
Some of the picture books in our collection are featured below; and you can always contact us at knox.readerservices@utoronto.ca for further recommendations. Use the arrows, or click/drag covers right or left to browse shelves; click on a cover to see the book in the catalogue.
Featured titles
Stories from the Bible & the Church Year (37 titles)
Connected to & Caring for Creation (19 titles)
Death & Life Cycles (33 titles)
Mindfulness, Resilience, & Mental Health (24 titles)
Family, Friendship, & Community (36 titles)
Indigenous History & Wisdom (18 titles)
Additional Resources
Here are some useful links to help you find the right picture book for your purposes:
Compassionate Christianity: https://compassionatechristianity.org/childrens-books/
This Children and Youth Books and Resources Database created by Compassionate Christianity is a searchable list of progressive Christian books for children. They are classified by theme, age range, type of resource, and scripture passage.
Storypath: https://storypath.upsem.edu/
From Union Presbyterian Seminary, a searchable database of picture books with reviews, lectionary links, scripture and theme index.
Picture Book Theology: http://www.picturebooktheology.com/
Not restricted to faith-based books, this blog connects scripture to story with picture books of all kinds. Searchable by book, author, and theme.
Recommended Books 2021: https://hope4ce.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/whitford-recommended-books-2021.pdf
Jenni Whitford, PC(USA) Christian Educator member of the Hope4CE Steering Committee, has compiled this of books for children based on recommendations from a variety of professional organizations.
Suggested Reading Lists: The Presbyterian Church in Canada (scroll down to Children’s Picture Books) https://presbyterian.ca/resources/suggested-reading-lists/
Compiled by a different writers, these reading lists on a variety of subjects (e.g. liturgical seasons, prayer, gratitude, death and dying, non-traditional families, peacemaking) offer picture book suggestions and brief summaries.
Return to the main Caven Library webpage.