Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be at the tomb the morning of Jesus’ Resurrection?
Often times I like to put myself into the Bible story to try to imagine what it would have been like to live back then, how the people in the Bible must have felt, and even wonder if I would have reacted the same way they did. I love to really dig into the story and get a feel for how it must have been (especially on the morning of Jesus’ Resurrection).
And now there is a cool book that helps kids imagine what it was like that morning when Jesus rose from the dead…
‘Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist is a great Easter book for kids! This book takes children back to the morning of Jesus’ Resurrection. A sealed tomb with guards standing outside, an earthquake that opened the tomb, Mary Magdalene going to the tomb only to find it empty, her encounter with Jesus who told her to go spread the good news, and Mary Magdalene running to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord.
I think my favorite words from this book come from when Mary Magdalene sees Jesus, thinking He’s a gardener, but then He calls her by name:
“‘Dear Mary, it’s me! It’s Jesus your friend! My story’s just starting – this isn’t the end!’ His eyes, how they twinkled, his smile so bright – Mary knew in a moment, but could she be right?”
I can just imagine the excitement Mary Magdalene must have felt in that moment when she realized Jesus was alive! He called her by name and He was talking to her!
When I read this book, I read it with an excitement in my voice. I read it with joy because I know how this story ends. I know that Jesus is my Savior and that He died for me, was raised from the dead, and saved me from my sins. And I believe that children and parents will read this book and be filled with joy and excitement, too!
Glenys’ words and the beautiful illustrations by Elena Selivanova are sure to capture the hearts of children and help them learn this story that is central to our salvation. Happy Easter!
Children’s Ministry Leaders
Glenys is excited to share an activity pack for you to use in your ministry! This pack includes a signed bookplate, bookmarks, activities for older and younger children, and an Easter pageant script for you to act out this story at church! This is a great tool to download and give out to all your church families for them to use along with the book. Download this activity pack now!
More Book Information
To order a copy of ‘Twas the Morning of Easter, visit Amazon!
To see a video about the book, click here.
For other Easter ideas and activities for kids, check out these:
9 Lent Activities for Families
13 comments
Thanks to everyone for entering this book giveaway! Congratulations to Mrs. Hadidian (mrs_hadidian) for winning a copy! She entered the giveaway on Instagram. Make sure to check out this book’s next stop this coming week! And you can enter to win a copy there, too! The link to the next stop on the blog tour is in the post above. God bless you all!
This looks like a great book! I hope I am one of them that win this book!
Thanks so much for introducing this book to me! I’m super new to my position as a director of children’s ministries, so I’m very appreciative of all your ideas, resources, and advice. 🙂
I love how the Kid Min community is always sharing ideas and resources with one another! This book is another example of creativity and using God-given gifts to reach kids with the Good News! Great resource!
I have been in children’s ministry for 28 years, currently toddler to 5th grade in a one room, Sunday school environment. The activity guide for this book has something to engage each of my age groups. I would love to add this book to my toolbox and use it to present the Easter story to my kids in a new way.
The illustrations are gorgeous! What a beautiful, engaging retelling of probably the most important event since the beginning of time! Thank you for sharing about this book. I didn’t know it even existed before this post.
Thank you so very much for always provided such helpful resources for churches!!!!
Our kids and grandkids need to hear this story often and presented in a variety of ways. This book looks like a beautiful way to do just that! Thanks for helping families write His words on their hearts.
I LOVE THIS! AND I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH MY PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN OUR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY! I ENJOY ALL THE MATERIAL YOU ALLOW FOR PURCHASE AND USE IT REGULARLY FOR OUR PRESCHOOL MINISTRY. THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT RESOURCE FOR US! YOU ARE A BLESSING!
Thank you Shana!! God bless your ministry!
I would luv to win this for my childrens Sunday school ckass
Thank you so much, Vanessa, for the wonderful post! I’m so grateful!
Glenys, thank you so much writing a book like this. It helps us get a little more into the mindset of those that were there. I’ve been reading a lot of Easter books lately, and I am surprised and disappointed at how many don’t speak to who Jesus is or why he died or the significance of him rising from the dead. I would be interested to understand why you chose not to include details along these lines. You book refers to Jesus as the disciples’ leader, that he rose and that he is a King. Easter is becoming more about bunnies and egg hunts, I would love to have more books that don’t just speak to the events but that touch on their significance. Simply substituting two lines could do it,’ She jumped to her feet….tale heaven sent, Jesus paid for ours sins and defeated the curse, The Lord God himself, had come down as Savior of the universe’. Or: ‘Only the Son of God could pay for our sins, Satan is defeat, heaven wins!’ Thanks for your time. (Vanessa is welcome to give you my email, if you wish to contact me directly.)