Raising our children in a way that Christ may be formed in their hearts is no small job. There are a lot of good resources for adults, like the Prologue of Ochrid, but for children, there’s less available that is really engaging to them.
While obviously, for children, us modeling the faith for them is the most important thing we can do, we also feel strongly that good books are important as well, which is why we’ve always been dedicated to making more good quality, beautiful books available for children. That’s also why we’ve recently released our new series on the lives of saints.
Opening Up the Treasury: Why Saints Matter for Children
Orthodox Christianity has a spectacular treasury of saints, each with their own unique story of courage, humility, love, or even holy stubbornness. Introducing these figures early in life helps root children in a tradition where faith is lived, not just learned.
When kids read about Saint Elizabeth the New-Martyr’s kindness, or Saint Nicholas’ secret generosity, they’re not only hearing stories from the past, they’re meeting real heroes whose victories and struggles can shape hearts right now. They’re also making a new friend who can help pray for them.
But there’s a difference between reciting the biography of a saint and truly making their life accessible. That’s where these new children’s books shine.
Fresh Approaches: From Biography to Bedtime Story
Most adults first met the saints through a parish icon or a story at church. Today’s Orthodox children’s books go further, weaving the lives of saints into formats children already love: storybooks, board books, and even interactive experiences.
Let’s look at some ways publishers are bridging that gap:
Potamitis Publishing’s "Paterikon for Kids" offers more than a hundred beautifully illustrated mini-books (each focusing on a separate saint or feast day). These bite-sized stories fit naturally into bedtime routines or story circles, gently guiding kids into the world of holy men and women.
Faith Tree’s "Super Saints" program turns learning about saints into a full sensory experience, combining storytelling with music, crafts, and games. Suddenly, saints become not just names but living role models who are every bit as exciting as pop culture superheroes.
Here at Exaltation Press, we love creating stories that connect to real life. Our book, The Life of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr, walks with kids through the journey of a princess who chose kindness over comfort and learned humility, courage, and love in her daily walk with Christ. We keep things gentle, honest, and just right for young listeners, striving to make these saints feel like down-to-earth friends.
What Makes a Great Children’s Saint Book?
Not all saint stories are created equal. The most effective books for kids today have a few things in common:
1. Gentle, Honest Storytelling
Children are sensitive listeners. They deserve stories that are honest about the saints’ trials and victories, without becoming scary or dry. Our books use simple, warm language that never talks down to kids, inviting them to see God working in ordinary, sometimes fragile, human lives.
2. Rich Visual Storytelling
Let’s face it: beautiful art draws kids in! That’s why the new books feature hand-painted illustrations with soft colors, friendly shapes, and scenes full of imagination, whether it’s Saint George slaying the dragon, or a gentle moment between St. Elizabeth and her sister. These illustrations help bring the saints closer, making holy lives feel more familiar and real.
3. Stories That Connect to Everyday Life
Great saint stories plant seeds for action. When a child hears how St. Elizabeth served the poor, or how St. Nicholas shared gifts in secret, it sparks real-life questions: “How can I help someone today?” Books designed for young readers often end with an activity, conversation prompt, or simple prayer, opening the door for family connection and real faith practice.
The Magic of Age-Appropriate Content
Every child is on their own journey. That’s why modern publishers offer books for every stage:
Board books and touch-and-feel editions for toddlers (yes, even babies can enjoy the saints!).
Early reader stories with short sentences and repetitive patterns, ideal for preschool and primary ages.
Chapter books and devotional readers for middle-grade kids who are ready for deeper questions and (sometimes) bigger miracles.
We know from experience that a four-year-old will sit quietly for a ten-minute picture book, but a nine-year-old might want to dig deeper or ask tough questions. At Exaltation Press, we design our books so each child feels seen and included, wherever they are, curious beginner or budding reader.
Reading Together: Tips for Making Saints Come Alive at Home
Ready to bring more saints into your family life? Here are a few gentle tips:
Start Small: Pick one story night per week for a saint book. Let kids choose the saint from a stack!
Use the Pictures: Pause and talk about what’s happening in each illustration. “How do you think St. Elizabeth felt here?”
Act It Out: Act out a simple scene from the story with stuffed animals or dress-ups.
Connect to the Calendar: Match stories with feast days - read about Saint Nicholas in December, or St. George near Pascha.
Pray Together: End the story with a short prayer. It’s a simple way to connect head, heart, and hands.
Why It Matters: Saints as Real-Life Friends
The world is full of loud heroes, but saints offer something different: quiet courage, self-giving love, and hope in Christ. By introducing our children to these real-life friends through beautiful books, we invite them into a world big enough for mystery, kindness, struggle, and joy.
And maybe, just maybe, we plant seeds that will bear fruit in their own journey of faith.
Looking for your next great saint story? Explore our full range of Orthodox children’s books here, or check out the “Lives of Saints for Children” series here. We’d love to help you build your family’s library of faith!
If you have a favorite saint story you’d love to see in print, or just want to share how these books have helped your family, drop us a note on our Contact page—we’re always listening.
Further Reading: