What if you could give a gift that outshone than the most impressive trinket? One more valuable than the rarest of baubles? What if you could give a gift that let someone see God in a more expansive way than they ever thought possible?

There are probably a litany of little ones on your list—children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or godchildren. To help you find meaningful gift for those impressionable young souls in your life, I reviewed a handful of spirit-expanding books that could make a real difference in their lives. Each has a different voice and feel, so read on to find out which one is right for your last-minute gift-giving needs. While we celebrate God’s coming in the form of baby Jesus during this season, these unique books could help children—boys and girls alike—carry an image of God that is big enough to include male and female imagery with them through the year. What better gift could you give them?

Tell Me Why (by Trista Hendren; illustrated by Elizabeth Sletness )

This latest book in Trista’s vibrantly illustrated children’s series uses a reimagined version of the Genesis story of Adam and Eve as an opening to begin discussing the loss of Mother God with children, especially with boys. The book does a beautiful job of describing the loss that boys feel when they are denied the companionship of the feminine side of God and, consequently, a healthy relationship with women in their lives. It is not a book that bashes men or masculinity; instead, it exposes the wounds caused by gender stereotyping and patriarchal religion, while leaving readers full of hope for reclaiming an Edenesque harmony between men and women. This is an ideal companion to the earlier books in this series, The Girl God (written to introduce the concept of God as female to girls who have never seen themselves reflected in divine imagery) and Mother Earth (a loving tribute and call to action to care for our world honor its sacredness).

Gift pick: With this book’s commentary on weighty social issues, it is better suited for children 8+. Younger children will be mesmerized by the mosaic-style illustrations but may be concerned about the parts that are they can’t yet process (gender stereotypes, poverty, mortality). Also a wonderful gifts for spiritually aware adults!

When God Was a Little Girl (by David R. Weiss; illustrated by Joan Lindeman)

Like Tell Me Why, this richly illustrated picture book is a whimsical retelling of the creation story. Its whimsy, while lighthearted and playful, delivers the priceless message of inclusivity to little girls who felt less connected to God than their male friends. Told as a story passed from a father to his young daughter on a car ride together, little girls listening to this tale will begin to imagine a God who sees and experiences life as they do—complete with giggles, singing, art, glitter and dancing. The illustrations are warm and inviting and do a lovely job of presenting a diverse picture of girlhood. This book will serve as a mirror for girls who haven’t ever seen themselves reflected in the God they’ve been told about. When God Was a Little Girl is richly deserving of the Silver Nautilus Award it received for its inspiring and life-changing message.

Gift Pick: This book is ideal for young children up to about age 9. A great read-aloud experience, this will plant a seed of God’s transcendent nature in a way that even the youngest readers will be able to grasp.

A Woman Called God (Peter Wilkes)

I have to say that it makes my heart happy that a man in his 70s wrote a book that asks the question, “What if everyone decided that God—the creator of the universe—is a woman?” For him to ask the question and pen this lighthearted cartoon-esque book in answer to the question is admirable. Its tone is strikingly different from the other two books I’ve reviewed here. While this could be read to or by a child, its adult nuances (like a reference to judgmental patriarchal religion driving him to take the prescription drug thorazine) and lack of warm fuzziness lend itself more to teens or adults wanting to kick-start the conversation on God’s gender imagery. The book, even in its brevity, manages to connect the dots between our treatment of the feminine and of Mother Earth, while encouraging readers to ask themselves tough questions about our perceptions of God. The book’s positive takeaway is that simply by changing one idea (how we perceive God), we could change so much more about the world we live in.

Gift Pick: This book would be an excellent choice for teen who enjoy graphic novels. This book packs a big punch without requiring much actual reading.

I feel honored that each of these authors sent me copies of their books to review. The more we expand the way we see God, the more we will begin to feel God at work in our life in ways that defy our expectations. Of course, if you are shopping for a yogi or would-be-yogi, my book—Sophia Rising: Awakening Your Sacred Wisdom Through Yoga—which will help readers use their yoga practice as a tool for accessing a holistic vision of the divine, including God’s feminine side.