Throughout history, the Christian church has honored the lives of saints and martyrs on October 31, All Hallows’ Eve. It is more commonly celebrated as Reformation Day now. Read on for my list of great books to read with your children for All Saints’ Day and Reformation Day!
I feel that now, more than ever, it is crucial that our children know the stories of courageous Christians who have given a faithful witness for Christ. Reading the best books aloud in celebration of Reformation Day and All Saints’ Day is a fantastic way to start!
All Saints’ Day (known as Allhallowtide throughout history; Hallows meaning “Saints”) has played an important part of the historic Christian church calendar. It is a day that the lives of saints and martyrs throughout the ages were honored. But it is largely overlooked today because so much debate surrounds Halloween amongst Christians.
Additionally, October 31 is now also known as Reformation Day because of the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door at Wittenberg, thus igniting the Protestant Reformation.
The occasion of All Saints’ Day on the church calendar as well as Reformation Day make it a great time to take a detour through church history in your homeschool. Take some time to read biographies of these courageous Christians with your children! Acquaint them with the heroes and heroines of the faith who gave their all (and many of them their lives) for Christ. It is a wonderful way to remember and celebrate their faithful witness.
Don’t feel limited to reading only about the saints of old! I’ve included in this reading list many heroes and saints that have lived in more recent times as well.
May these books embolden you to live for Christ as you read about the faithful lives of these saints!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Reformation Day
- Reformation ABCs: The People, Places, and Things of the Reformation from A to Z by Stephen J. Nichols
- The Adventures of Martin Luther by Carolyn Bergt
- Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul L. Maier
- Princess of the Reformation: Jeanne D’Albret by Rebekah Dan
- The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul
- Reformation Heroes by Diana Kleyn and Joel R. Beeke
- John Calvin (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- John Knox (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- Lady Jane Grey (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- Heralds of the Reformation: Thirty Biographies of Sheer Grace by Richard Hannula
All Saints’ Day
- The Church History ABCs: Augustine and 25 Other Heroes of the Faith by Stephen J. Nichols
- Augustine of Hippo (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- Irenaeus (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- Athanasius (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr
- A Gift from Saint Francis by Joanna Cole
- Saint Jerome and the Lion retold by Margaret Hodges
- Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave & Neta Jackson
- Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hannula
- Radiant: Fifty Remarkable Women in Church History by Richard Hannula
- For Christ’s Crown and Covenant: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters by Richard Hannula
I hope you have found these lists helpful and inspiring as you dive deeper into the rich history of the church. May the courageous lives of these saints encourage you to live more faithfully as witnesses for Christ!
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