Do you believe your children were created for a purpose? Do you want them to believe that, too? 

My regular readers know by now that I’m a little passionate about books. No, that’s a gross understatement. I’m crazy about books. In my list of things I love, it comes right under God, Levon, and my kids. And one of the reasons I’m passionate about books is because I believe in their power to build and transform lives. 

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Books can teach, books can encourage, books can motivate, and books can inspire. Books can spread positive messages and speak truth into our lives.

Of course, books also have the power to speak death, darkness, and lies. That is why it is important that we choose the right books, especially when it comes to what we read to our children. 

I’ve compiled a list of five picture books that epitomize life-giving books for kids. Each book speaks a message of God’s divine design for our children and will inspire young readers to discover and pursue their own special part in God’s plans. 

Why wait until adolescence, graduation, or adulthood to teach our children that God has a special plan for their lives? Why not start instilling that message from birth and build upon that foundation throughout their lives? 

If the message of God’s divine design is one you would like to impart into your children, here are five children’s books that will help you do that: 

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5 Children’s Books About God’s Divine Design

1. The Plans I Have for You – Amy Parker

   This short and simple book uses Jeremiah 29:11 to teach kids that God has special plans in store for them. The brevity of the text is perfect for young kids with short attention spans, and the beautiful illustrations will engage them while the words inspire. My favorite part of the book is the very last sentence, which states,

   “The whole world will be better, thanks to little ol’ you … all because you did what I created you to do.”

   How awesome is that line?

   This book also comes in a board book version, and there is a 90 day devotional for slightly older children and a Bible as well!
   
   
   

2. Brave Young Knight – Karen Kingsbury

   Directed toward young boys, this book tells the story of four young princes competing to be prince of all the land. One of them is the strongest, one is the fastest, and one is the smartest. However, it is not any of them who win the title, but rather the fourth prince, because he exhibits the greatest character. The moral of the story is that the bravest young knights are not necessarily the ones who have the greatest speed, strength, or smarts, but those who live with integrity and honor.

   This book doesn’t necessarily talk about God’s plan or unique design, but I love that it inspires kids to focus on Godly character rather than specific talents or abilities.
   
   

3. Whatever You Grow Up to Be – Karen Kingsbury

   This book, also by Karen Kingsbury and directed toward young boys, is written in the voice of a mother watching her son grow up. In each stage of his development, she eagerly anticipates the unfolding of God’s plans for her son. Repeated throughout the book is the line, “God has plans, can’t wait to see, whatever you grow up to be.” First it’s a prince, next a firefighter, then MVP, musician, businessman, husband, and father … each ending with “if that’s what you grow up to be.”

   I love the Scripture verses on every page, and the story is beyond precious. Have your Kleenex handy – it made me cry! 

   

4. Your Special Gift – Max Lucado

   Part of Lucado’s Wemmicks Series, Your Special Gift is a truly delightful story that inspires kids to discover and use the special gifts God has given them.

   In the story, all the Wemmicks of Wemmicksville awake one morning to find that each of them has received a special gift – one is a hammer, another a paintbrush, a third a spoon, and so on. When a visiting family needs help, Punchinello and his friends try to come to their aid, but end up making a bigger mess when they try to use each other’s gifts instead of their own. They are not successful in their mission until each Wemmick uses the specific gift he/she had been given.

   This book is a bit longer and more detailed than the others, so it may be best for a slightly older audience, but I love how it encourages kids to use the special gifts God gave them rather than try to be like someone else.

   

5. When God Made You – Matthew Paul Turner

   Last but not least is one of my new favorite children’s books – When God Made You. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review, and I think it is absolutely fantastic. Each and every page is filled with powerful declarations of how much God loves our children, the care He put into their unique design, and the longing He has to use them in His divine plans.

   One line in the book says, “‘Cause when God made you, somehow God knew / That the world needed someone exactly like you,” and I love that message. This book teaches our kids that they aren’t accidents or mistakes, or even random happenstance, but rather “fearfully and wonderfully made” for a purpose.

   Some of the words may be a bit beyond their comprehension, but they will love the rhyming and the rhythmic cadence of the book. And you will love the message that it delivers.

   

These five books will not only entertain your kids, they will also feed their spirits and establish a foundation of belief that God specially created them for a unique purpose. I can’t think of very many messages more important to teach our children than that one, can you?

Now it’s time for you to share with us: Which of these books are you most excited to check out? Which ones (if any) have you read? Are there any that you could add to this list?

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