A big part of travel for our family is learning about the people, cultures, and customs in different places we visit. It’s fascinating to learn about the similarities and differences, and we’ve been so grateful to learn from those who have generously shared of themselves and their homes. We’ve especially loved prepping with some kids books about world religions!
Religion has been a great place for us to start because it often informs so much of what we experience in a country. It often expands well beyond belief systems into food, lifestyle architecture, and museums/sightseeing. Plus, it’s just really beautiful learning about the goodness in so many people and beliefs.
Here are some great kids books about world religions that are fantastic for learning about the world and its people.
Tips for Discussing World Religions With Kids
Ask questions
I find that I’m often inclined to be the one to do a lot of teaching to my kids. But we often learn the most when we ask questions and seek out answers together! I also usually learn a lot when I ask them questions and have them contribute, instead of just telling them my answers.
Know it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers
Your kids will likely ask some tricky questions and that’s okay! If you don’t know the answer, don’t pretend to. Instead, you can tell them that you don’t currently know and offer to work together with them to find an answer. These world religions books for kids are a great starting point.
Recognize similarities
There are so many similarities across religions! Recognize those, especially when it comes to the desired outcomes of all of them – to raise good, happy people.
Call out goodness
It can be tempting to use teaching about world religions as an opportunity to show your kids why your belief system is the best. Try to avoid this, though. There are plenty of opportunities when you can have discussions about the merits of your own religion, but try to not do it in a way that makes it seem yours is better than other ones.
This list of kids books about world religions contains affiliate links, but all opinions are 100% my own. That means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link, but doesn’t change your price.
60+ Kids Books About World Religions
Table of Contents
GENERAL RELIGION BOOKS FOR KIDS
The Kids Book of World Religions
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God’s Paintbrush
What Is God?
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What Do You Believe?: Big Questions About Religion
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Everyone Prays: Celebrating Faith Around the World
See Inside World Religions
Find it on Amazon
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT HINDUISM
While not specifically kids religion books, this virtual tour of India has a number of other wonderful India picture books that connect to Hindu culture.
Ramayana: Divine Loophole
This is my very favorite Hindu book for kids. It has beautiful illustrations and short stories of the Hindu epic.
Find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart
Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth
This silly and fun story of how Ganesha helped write the Mahabharatha is one of my kids’ absolute favorites.
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Classic Tales from India: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head and Other Stories
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Elephant Prince: The Story of Ganesh
This depiction of the story of how the god Ganesh got his elephant head is beautiful and one our family loves.
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The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow
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A Day in the Life of a Hindu Kid: Kid’s Hindu prayer, rhyming and activity book
Indian Children’s Favorite Stories: Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales
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My First Book Of Hindu Gods and Goddesses
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Mahabharata For Children
Festival of Colors
This children’s book about the festival Holi is gorgeous and colorful – perfect as a celebration of this beautiful holiday. This is one of my very favorites.
Find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT BUDDHISM
The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Buddha’s mother taught him compassion, and he teaches us to have the same for others. Simple and powerful text that is perfect for young kids.
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The Life of the Buddha
Gorgeous watercolor illustrations tell of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who would become Buddha. This is one I want to own.
Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom for You to Read with Your Child to Enchant, Enlighten and Inspire
20 modern retellings of Buddhist tales that highlight ethical dilemmas that kids might face in their own lives.
Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha
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Buddhism for Kids: 40 Activities, Meditations, and Stories for Everyday Calm, Happiness, and Awareness
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Samsara Dog
Find it on Amazon
Zen Books for Kids
As a subset of Buddhism, Zen has some specific components to it and also some beautiful children’s books about Zen!
Zen Ties
Zen Shorts
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Addy’s Cup of Sugar
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KIDS BOOKS ABOUT JUDAISM
This post on celebrating Hanukkah activities with kids has other kids Judaism books specifically related to Hanukkah.
Here Is The World
This book that goes through a year of Jewish holidays is one of my favorites.
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Purim Chicken
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Hanukkah Bear
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New Year At The Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story
Find it on Amazon
Once Upon An Apple Cake
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Fridays Are Special
I love that this book talking about Shabbat features a multiracial family.
Find it on Amazon
Chik Chak Shabbat
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The Whispering Town
This picture book introduces the Holocaust in a way that is appropriate for young children. This one reminds me of Number the Stars, a favorite.
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The Patchwork Torah
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KIDS BOOKS ABOUT ISLAM
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
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Muhammad
Like the Moon Loves the Sky
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Under the Ramadan Moon
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Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story
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The Best Eid Ever
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Ramadan and Fasting Activity Book (Discover Islam Sticker Activity Books)
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT SIKHISM
Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon
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The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
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KIDS BOOKS ABOUT CONFUCIANISM AND TAOISM
I didn’t find a ton of books in this category, so if you know of other great ones, please let me know. This virtual tour of China for kids also has some related book recommendations!
Who Was Confucius?
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Who Was Confucius? Ancient China Book for Kids
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KIDS INDIGENOUS SPIRITUALITY BOOKS FROM NORTH AMERICA
This post on celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day has other fantastic indigenous picture books for kids.
We Are Water Protectors
Winner of the 2021 Caldecott, this book lives up to all the rave reviews.
Find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart
Two Bear Cubs: A Miwok Legend from California’s Yosemite Valley
My kids adore this tale of how a spot in one of their favorite places was formed.
Find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart
How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend
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Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
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We Are Grateful
One of my very favorites for its beautiful seasonality and depictions of everyday life through them.
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SkySisters
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The Thundermaker
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CHRISTIANITY BOOKS FOR KIDS
This list of diverse children’s Christmas books has lots of other Christian children’s books, as well, as does this post on our favorite Easter books for kids.
Jesus (Demi)
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Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible
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INTERFAITH BOOKS FOR KIDS
King Solomon and the Bee
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Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam
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Trees of the Dancing Goats
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Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas
Find it on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart
MORE POSTS
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST WITH KIDS BOOKS ABOUT WORLD RELIGIONS, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:
- Our Favorite Kids Books About the World
- 20+ Diverse Kids Books About Love
- 25+ Voting and Elections Picture Books Featuring Diverse Leaders
DON’T NEED THESE WORLD RELIGIONS PICTURE BOOKS QUITE YET? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!
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This post was amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time and all of the hard work that went into this. These books are going to be incredibly beneficial for my little family.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for the kind note!