R Is for Risen: An ABC Easter Story

by Crystal Bowman, Teri McKinley

This rhyming ABC Easter story takes kids on a journey from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection to the Great Commission.

Jesus is the RISEN One,
our Savior and our Friend.
Jesus is the A and Z,
the beginning and the end.

In this charmingly illustrated story, children will learn the alphabet and the biblically accurate reason for the Jesus’ resurrection! Unlike other ABC books that attribute a random Easter-themed word to a letter, R Is for Risen thoughtfully tells the chronological Easter story of salvation. It Palm branch parade (Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem) Garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ arrest and interrogation Jesus carrying the cross Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus’ Great Short, easy-to-read, rhyming text Chronological Bible Easter story Colorful, endearing illustrations A Bible verse reference on each page (NLT, ICB, NIrV, or GW) This alphabet book is sure to become a family classic parents will read to their children every Easter.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Christian

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Crystal Bowman is an author, speaker, and former preschool teacher. She graduated from Calvin College with a degree in elementary education and studied early childhood development at the University of Michigan. Her writing career began in 1990 as a lyricist for children's piano music. She began writing children's books in 1993 and has since written more than 100 books for children and 3 for women. She has written books for many popular children's series, such as Little Blessings, BOZ the Bear, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Berenstain Bears, and I Can Read! She has also written two books of humorous poetry for children, numerous magazine articles, Bible study materials, and educational resource books. As a speaker, Crystal enjoys sharing her stories and poetry with students in the classroom and also with adults at teachers' conventions, writers' conferences, and women's seminars. "Writing and speaking can be intimidating because in order to connect with your audience you need to be personal and transparent, exposing what's in your heart and soul. But when readers or conference attendees respond positively to something I've said or written, it is humbling and rewarding all at the same time!" Crystal and her husband, Bob, have enjoyed 44 years of marriage and are the parents of 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. They spend summers in Michigan and winters in Florida.

Reviews

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

R is For Risen is a wonderful concept for a Children’s picture book. I read Crystal Bowman’s M is For Manger and both of these are just excellent! This format is just endless… W is For Women of the Bible, L is for the Life of Jesus…


This is a rhyming ABC Easter story taking children on a journey from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection and concluding with The Great Commission. The book reinforces the fact that Jesus is the RISEN One, our Savior and our Friend. He is the A and Z, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega! Jacqueline L. Nunez has captured warmth and love with her soft illustrations. Using the letters of the alphabet, each entry is backed with a Bible verse making this a solid biblically accurate reason for the season.


Readers/listeners begin with the Palm branch parade of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, moving on to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus arrest and interrogation, Jesus carrying the cross, Jesus death and resurrection and The Great Commission. Each beautifully illustrated page contains a brief, easy-to-read rhyming text. Scriptures are taken from, NLT, ICB, NIrV, and GW.
I recommend this alphabet book as a family classic parents can read to their children every Easter.

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Alphabet Book

For Christians, the Resurrection of Jesus is a central truth of the Gospel message. In R IS FOR RISEN, Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley have used the alphabet and each letter to focus on a different aspect of the resurrection.

For example, “G is for Gethsemane The disciples followed Jesus to a place not far away. The garden of Gethsemane is where they stopped to pray. Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, ‘Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36, GW” (page 8)

Each page includes an alphabet letter related to the resurrection, a brief explanation and a Bible verse. Parents, grandparents and teachers can use this book to help their children learn the alphabet but also to help them understand the real meaning of Easter.

I loved this book and the heart-warming illustrations by Jacqueline L. Nuñez. I highly recommend this book.

W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"R Is for Risen" tells the main events of Jesus' death and resurrection in a way young children can understand. Each page is alphabetical, with the letter up top and a cartoon-style picture around the letter illustrating the text. A rhyming verse is below that describing events in chronological order, from Jesus riding into the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey to the Passover dinner to the empty tomb and the disciples seeing Jesus after the Resurrection. It ends with Jesus telling his disciples to tell the whole world the good news. Bible verses are included below each rhyme to show where the events or prophecies can be found in the Bible. Overall, I'd recommend this children's book as a way to teach young kids what 'Easter' is really about.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the, How to Use This Book section. I adored that the story was told in chronological order following the alphabet. Following the letters children will see the events surrounding Jesus‘s death and resurrection unfold before their eyes. Bible verses are included with every letter. No violence is depicted. A lovely book. The illustrations were well done.
I will be purchasing this book for my grandchildren. I appreciate @NetGalley and @tyndale for this opportunity. My opinion is an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children can learn the resurrection story through the chronological A to Z book, R is for Risen. From, A is for Arrived - "Jesus came to Jerusalem. People were everywhere. He ARRIVED with his disciples. Excitement filled the air." Scripture reference is Mark 11:1. To, Z is for A and Z. "Jesus is the Risen One, our Savior and our Friend. Jesus is the A AND Z, the beginning and the end. Scripture reference is Revelation 22:13. While the book is simple, it is packed with truths for children to hear.

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle rhymes and softly sweet illustrations tell the story of Easter—from A to Z. Starting with “A is for Arrived” and Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, each letter of the alphabet unveils a key moment in this chronological retelling of the salvation story. Little ones will not only learn their letters but also how they all fit together into the greatest story ever told. Perfect for Easter—or anytime!

*Thank you to Tyndale Kids for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lavinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely art. Beautiful engaging pictures that show the touching moments of Christ's passion. Each letter relates to an event leading to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How amazing that the Lord's alphabet perfectly represented in it's
sequence the Salvation Story. As if the alphabet is an anagram of revelation. Each page had a Scripture reference for the event described. Very well done, showing the Scripture as proof. Enjoyed.

[Pug · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! Biblically-sound, yet super-easy for people of all ages to understand and appreciate. And I was impressed that it was alphabetical and still actually able to follow chronological order, starting with Jesus' Triumphal Entry all the way through Easter Sunday. And today. And for eternity!

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book which uses alphabet to share the message of Easter. I loved that I could read it with different levels of my grandchildren. There is a lovely verse for each letter of the alphabet that is paired with a verse from the Bible that matches the letter and information. The pictures are beautiful and draw children in.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book. Great to include in Easter baskets, too. :-)

[April Graney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful and adorable book that your children will want you to read not only at Easter, but throughout the year. Gives a wonderful picture of the gospel for children.