Secular and agnostic families need children's books too! According the Pew Research Center, the religiously unaffiliated population is one of the fastest growing groups in the world. Many people in this population don't identify as belonging to a religion, but still hold a belief in a higher power, divine energy, or something beyond our physical reality. And many are parents who are looking for inspirational spiritual books to help affirm their children's big questions and instill curiosity and wonder about the universe.
The books below can do just that. While they can also be enjoyed by families that ascribe to a specific faith, their focus on ritual, the natural world, and an expansive view of God will appeal to families with all kinds of identities. Whether you are not religious but believe in God, raising kids agnostic, or even seeking books for pagan kids or Wicca families, these books can help you to nurture children's spirituality.
The Love That Made You is a wonder-filled, empowering picture book introducing children to the idea of a higher power called Love that connects us and carries us through life. With gentle, rhyming text, The Love That Made You helps grown-ups find the words to share the comfort, encouragement, and wonder of God or the Universe with a young heart, without suggesting that the grown-up knows all the answers. Grace Semler Baldridge, an alt-Christian singer-songwriter, brings their characteristic thoughtfulness into this poetic invitation to think broadly about love as a force that connects all of us.
Perfect for fans of Matthew Paul Turner's When God Made You, Savannah Guthrie's Mostly What God Does Is Love You, and Jennifer Grant's Maybe God Is Like That Too.
With lyrical, rhyming text and exquisite illustrations, Mother God introduces readers to a many feminine images of God. From a strong woman in labor, bringing about new life; to a fierce mother bear, protecting her children from danger; to a "Granny, Baba, Halmeoni," passing down wisdom and stories, this beautiful picture book cultivates awe of the sacred through qualities that have been traditionally defined as feminine. With its expansive view of what God means, Mother God can be read by all families interested in exploring all kinds of expressions of the divine.
When we receive "a brand-new bike kind of gift" or "a trip-to-the-amusement-park kind of gift," it's easy to be grateful. But when we encounter an "extremely un-asked-for" gift, it can be harder to appreciate what matters. Full of wisdom and affirmations, this thoughtful picture book encourages gratitude and finding meaning in all life's events, even the hardest ones.
This inspiring children's book would make an excellent gift for a new baby, for elementary graduation, or for any child who needs encouragement to embrace each day with mindfulness.
Summer Solstice Wish and Winter Solstice Wish
Ceremony and ritual abound in these books about the longest and shortest days of the year. Summer Solstice Wish and Winter Solstice Wish both combine scientific concepts with descriptions of human connection and celebration. Summer Solstice Wish depicts a gathering in a community garden, where children weave flower crowns and families share a meal. In Winter Solstice Wish, a community comes together on a beach at night and builds a bonfire of hope.
With descriptions of global solstice celebrations, scientific explanations, and instructions for seasonal crafts in the backs of each book, the Solstice Wish books will inspire kids to build personal traditions and celebrate these days that connect us all.
This lively hair love book begins, "Thank you, God, for making my hair bounce back like a bouncing ball." A great choice for families that believe in God but do not follow a specific religion, My Curls Bounce Back does not define God further, but focuses instead on the fun qualities of natural hair--how it bounces, twirls, and stretches. A joyful, energetic read-aloud and a perfect gift for any occasion.
Naming the Moon (coming soon)
Embark on a journey through the seasons to learn about the lore behind the name of each month's full moon. From the Wolf Moon howling in January's snowy nights to the Corn Moon lighting up the abundance of autumn fields, Kristen Witte's playful poetry illuminates the moon's special traits while luminous artwork shows the seasonal magic it inspires.
In the end, the poem moves beyond describing each moon, telling readers: "Like full moons named for their reasons, / your life will have its different seasons." The text connects readers to nature, reminding us that humans have our own cycles too, and when we are feeling lost, we can remember: "You're like the moon: you're full of light" and that after hard seasons, renewal is possible. A gorgeous read that highlights our cosmic connection to the universe.
If God Were a Great Big Bear invites children to imagine God as a mighty whale, a waddly goose, a shining star, and many other elements of our environment. Together, these imaginings make up a story about the vastness of God’s presence. All genders are used for God in this poetic text. Paul Hardbridge’s simple verse and Marta Dorado's lush illustrations depict an interconnected world, where people, animals, and plants matter, and where nature is God’s art. Perfect for parents looking for God in nature books to help children feel the sacredness in everything and everyone.
More than just a book about the meal, Thanksgiving Is a Blessing is a lyrical book that celebrates the ritual of Thanksgiving, and how it holds deeper meaning for many people. Thanksgiving can be a blessing, a kindness, a candle, a promise, or a prayer. Illustrations show a community harvesting their gardens for a food bank, running the annual Turkey Trot, sharing recipes passed down for generations, and welcoming friends and family home as they gather block party-style for Thanksgiving dinner. No matter how one celebrates, it is a chance to connect and reconnect, reminisce and make new memories.Backmatter includes the author's favorite fall recipe as well as a craft to help kids take part in Thanksgiving Day celebrations.
Searching for secular books about specific holidays? Read our recent post featuring two non religious Easter books. Or if you are looking for non religious Christmas books, check out Nisha's Just-Right Christmas Tree, The Littlest Solstice Tree, and Little Mole's Christmas Gift.
If you are interested in stories that are more faith based, view the Beaming Books Faith Collection. It offers a variety of children's books that reflect values of peacemaking, justice, and inclusiveness.
