As a mom, reading gospel-centered picture books isn't just for my kids. It's for me, too.

 

I talk and write frequently about how incredible beautiful, well-written gospel-centered picture books are for children.

And it's true-- there are so many benefits to having these kinds of books accessible to children. I've seen them first hand in my own kids' lives.

But here's the part I don't talk about as often: the way gospel-centered picture books bless me as an adult. 

 

1. Remembering Jesus Christ

Reading a faith-based picture book during the day with my kids gives me an extra opportunity-- beyond just my personal scripture study time-- to think about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. 

In some ways, it feels like having gospel-centered picture books in my home and reading them with my kids helps me to keep my baptismal covenant to always remember Jesus Christ. I think of Him more frequently when He is a part of our family reading time.

Is this the only way to keep your baptismal covenant? No, not at all. But for me and my family, incorporating more Christ-centered picture books has been a beautiful way for me to keep the Savior more top-of-mind during an activity we already love and do frequently. 

2. Reading out loud

There is something uniquely thought-provoking about reading out loud. Like most of you, when I read the scriptures for my own personal study, I read them in my head. I see words on a page, I think about them-- it's mostly an internal experience.

With picture books, on the other hand, the experience is much more vocal. Reading out loud causes me to reflect differently on what each word means. Do I really believe what I'm reading? How are my kids understanding this story? This process of reading gospel-centered picture books out loud has lead to some fascinating insights for me about my own faith. 

 

3. Opportunities to bear testimony

Reading gospel-centered picture books with my kids often sparks unprompted discussion or questions from them about gospel topics. As they raise questions and seek to understand, I frequently have the opportunity to share my faith and witness with them. 

As grateful as I am for my kids to hear my testimony, the truth is that I need that affirmation and opportunity to bear testimony too. 

Having a diverse range of gospel picture books in my home has given me the opportunity to bear testimony of aspects of the gospel that may not typically make it in to my "sacrament meeting testimony"-- principles such as the birth of Christ, the omniscience of God, and the reality of Divine creation.

That has been at least as much of a blessing for me as it has been for my kids.

 

Though societally, we tend to think of ourselves as "outgrowing" picture books around the age of 8 or 10, I firmly believe that picture books are for everyone! Gospel-centered picture books particularly have been an incredible tool in my personal discipleship, even as an adult member of the Church.