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What if Jesus came to my school? What would be different?
If Jesus Came to my School by April Graney, illustrated by Yana Kodak. Multnomah, 2025. 40 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 4-8
A young girl imagines what would happen if Jesus came to her school: she’d introduce Him to everyone (especially Ginger, the guinea pig!). They would listen to the teacher. They would eat lunch and play on the playground. And Jesus would be sure to include everyone, make peace between enemies, and be kind.
The narrator acknowledges that Jesus is not (physically) at her school, but that she can be the hands a feet of Jesus at her school. She can be kind, can include others, and make peace. And if everyone acted like that, school would be a better place!
It’s a little jarring to see a very childlike Jesus dressed in the stereotypical robe with sash, but children would not find it odd. After all, they imagine all sorts of things! And it’s not a bad exercise to enter into this what-if scenario: how would we all act if Jesus was right there in our classroom? (Hint: God is right there in our classroom!) Illustrations are delightful, showing all sorts of different children (including different ethnicities and physical abilities) doing all sorts of different things. Expressions vary and the guinea pig is hilarious.
Bottom Line: If Jesus Came to My School would make for an excellent read aloud in a Christian school, provided listeners are okay with a depiction of Jesus as a young child.
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Review: The Wheelies series would also make good read alouds for a school age crowd.
- Reviews: Three picture books for and about school
- Resource: Don’t miss our Back-to-School Picture Book List!
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