Wild Faith Devotional for Kids: 52 Amazing Animals That Point to One Great God

by Valerie Ellis, Jen Bricking (illustrator)

A stunning devotional for kids, featuring 52 amazing animals that will have young believers marveling at how awesome God is as they discover more about the journey of wild faith God invites them to experience!

God created the world. Every aspect displays God’s strength and love. And though Creation can never fully express the wonders of the Lord, sometimes examples from nature can make God’s truth come alive to us.

That's why the Wild Faith Devotional for Kids gathers well-known animals like flamingos, snakes, dogs, and cats along with lesser-known creatures like the capybara, glass frog, and rock-climbing goby to help kids celebrate God’s creativity, seek God with all their hearts, and rest in God's great love for them.

Packed with spiritual truths and scientific knowledge, all 52 devotions
• stunning illustrations and striking photography
• Bible verses and short prayers
• interactive “Make It Stick” and “Live It Out” sections
• fun facts highlighting quirky or unbelievable details

The Wild Faith Devotional is perfect for creature- and Bible-loving kids ready to go deeper in faith!

Genres: Christian, Childrens

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2025 Fav♡rite!

Although I usually donate or give away many of the books I read and review each year, Wild Faith Devotional for Kids has earned a permanent spot on my shelf. I’m excited to share these animal-themed devotions with my grandchildren.

Animals have a special appeal for children, making this book a brilliant choice to engage young readers by blending fascinating facts about creatures with insightful lessons about God’s nature. I must admit, I learned a lot myself—even as an adult! While some of my favorite animals are featured, there were also many I’d never heard of before.

These charming devotions uplift and encourage, shaping readers’ perspectives, gratitude, and sense of awe for God, His creations, and His love for us.

First Line: God created the world.
Genre: Devotional, Children
Author: Valerie Ellis
Page Count: 224
Reading Age: 7-12

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

[Jennifer Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son (9) is an enthusiastic reader, and his bookshelf is loaded with fact books. He can't get enough. I love that this book brings together animal facts (something that he, and so many children, love) and faith, bringing spiritual growth into his core interests!

This devotional is well-written and beautiful! Ever tried to read a faith book with your child and their eyes glazed over? That won't happen here! These short, engaging devos are a perfect length for holding your child's attention and do a great job of tying in Biblical concepts in a way that is easy to understand and explain! AND, each devo includes great follow-up activities.

What a great tool for parents and anyone investing in the spiritual growth of children. My family will treasure this, and I cannot wait to gift it to others, too. Highly recommend!

Thanks to WaterBrook for a free review copy of the book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just received a free review copy from WaterBrook, and I’m super excited to add the hard copy of this vibrant children’s devotional into our homeschool curriculum!

Wild faith is about amazing animal facts paired with bible verses that go hand in hand! While this book is rated for children 7 and older, my 5yr old had no problem understanding the biblical applications, animal facts and was even able to retain the Bible verse. The 'Make it stick' and 'Live it out' sections are great for simplifying how to apply the lessons to their own lives. My 3-year-old's favorite devotional was about the Sharks, and the vivid illustrations even kept my 16-month-old captivated for a while.

Whether you’re a homeschooling family, or someone trying to bring a little more faith in your life through a fun way, I’d highly recommend Wild Faith.

Opinions expressed are my own.

[Amber (Her Home and Hearts) Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if a lion could teach your kids to have a strong relationship with God? 🦁📖

I was thrilled to discover this animal-themed devotional for my boys! 🐭🐗It features 52 devotions that point to our Great God through His amazing creatures. The layout is spot-on, with beautiful artwork and stunning photography on every page.
I love how each devotion centers on a single key verse—keeping it concise, easy to understand, and super applicable to their lives. Here’s the thoughtful structure:
✨ Key Verse – Sets a clear focus
✨ Devotion – Unpacks the verse in kid-friendly terms
✨ Make It Stick – A simple, interactive activity
✨ Live It Out – Practical ways to apply the truth
✨ Fun Fact – A cool tidbit about the animal
Perfect for sparking faith and curiosity!

5/5 ⭐️ For this engaging devotional!!

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional makes me wish my kids were still young so I could read to them. Jazz up your devotional time with some fun facts about animals and what God can teach us through them. One of my favorite animals is the flamingo, and so I was happy to see it as the opening animal! Ellis says that flamingos take in what is healthy for their bodies. And so, we are to take in what is healthy for our spirit on the inside, which will show on the outside. (Romans 15:13) This is just an example of all the excellent, exciting animal devotions you’ll find in this hardcover book. In each devo is a small space for kids to write and how to apply it to your life. The reader even gets a certificate at the end of the book for completing all the devotions. Best of all, the beginning of the book shares how to be a follower of Jesus. Bricking includes a soft palette of illustrations as well as some real photographs. Have fun with your Wild Faith!

[Crystal G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Faith is grounded in the Bible, interesting, and beautifully illustrated. It opens with an overview of how God created the world and the creatures in it, us humans included! It shares our need for God, the Gospel and that He desires to mentor us throughout our lives. 

Each animal is paired with a verse and followed by a devotional. The "Make it Stick" section gives children an exercise or activity to help retain the information. The "Live it Out" section provides an action step, and finally, there is a "Fun Fact" about the animal.

The vibrant illustrations and the unique way God is portrayed through His creation make this exciting for children of all ages. Even my three year old loves the pictures, action steps, and learning more about God and animals. I look forward to giving copies as gifts to my nieces and nephews!

Thanks to WaterBrook for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Chrysa Bliati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just received my free review copy from WaterBrook. Thank you! I'm so excited!
What a fun and engaging devotional for kids! The devotions are short and perfect for family time or bedtime reading. I love the illustrations too!
I love how it takes kids’ natural curiosity about animals and points them to the Creator. My favorite parts are the reflection questions, which spark meaningful conversations, and the fun facts about each animal.
A wonderful resource for families, Sunday school teachers, or anyone wanting to help kids grow in faith while marveling at God’s world.

[Rachel Tomazinis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early copy of, “Wild Faith: Devotional for Kids” from Waterbrook Publishing, and these are my own personal opinions.

I was so excited to find a new devotional book to read with my sweet children. We love animals in our house, along with many other things, but something that stands out about animals is that they too were created by God and serve an amazing purpose in how we should view our world. Valerie Ellis puts so much heart into this amazing book, even from the introduction. I almost cried when I read it, because God’s truth is presented in such a clear way. Not only does it stand out from the beginning, but she included a clear gospel presentation at the front of the book for those who may need that. As for the content of the devotions, they are outstanding. She smoothly transitions from fun animal facts into strong, biblical truths. She includes two little promptings at the end of each devotion: make it stick and live it out. As an educator, I love those details. Every time we read any type of literature, we should be thinking about ways to show comprehension and taking action, whether it’s to not follow a certain way because the message is terrible, or to take something deeply to heart and let it transform who we are. The first devotion sets up the book perfectly: be a flamingo who is changed from the inside out by what it intakes. By reading this devotional book, you WILL be absorbing God’s biblical truths and be changed from the inside out! I think this book can be for a variety of ages, my kids may not be fully ready for some of the prompts, but I know my son will be willing to listen. They’re short and sweet and have so much truth! I have not read them all, but I look forward to each! I cannot wait to share this book of devotions with my kids and share it to many other parents and educators alike!

[Dawn De Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a children's author, former educator, and Grammy, I'm always on the lookout for books that captivate young readers while nurturing their faith. Wild Faith by Valerie Ellis is a treasure that does exactly that.
This beautifully crafted devotional offers 52 weeks of engaging animal-focused devotions—perfect for families wanting to explore God's creation together throughout the year. Ellis has a gift for making biblical truths accessible and memorable for children ages 7-11 (though I can see younger children enjoying this too!). Each weekly devotion features a fascinating animal paired with scripture and a faith lesson that feels natural, not preachy.
What sets this book apart are the practical "Make It Stick" and "Live It Out" sections. These aren't just thoughtful add-ons—they're tools that help children move from learning to living out their faith in real, age-appropriate ways. As an educator, I appreciate how Ellis respects young readers' capacity to apply what they've learned.
Jen Bricking's illustrations are stunning and work seamlessly with the text, creating a cohesive reading experience. The combination of fun animal facts, gorgeous artwork, and solid biblical teaching makes this devotional both educational and spiritually enriching.
Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or educator, Wild Faith is an excellent resource for helping children see God's fingerprints throughout His creation. It's a book that invites wonder, curiosity, and deeper faith—all wrapped in a format kids will actually want to pick up week after week.
Thanks #PRHChristian @waterbrookmultomahkids @prhchristian for the complimentary review copy of this book!

[Emily Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Wild Faith' is a stunningly illustrated collection of 52 devotionals, based upon 'Amazing Animals that point to one Great God'. If you've read Valerie's other devotional, 'Let's Go: Bible Adventures', you'll know how she seamlessly and creatively weaves together Bible stories with various vehicles to keep young readers engaged.

Continuing with her innovative style, she again does a great job of combining Biblical teaching with facts and lessons from a wide range of animals, that serve as beautiful and memorable object lessons that help children remember scripture in a way that is understandable for them and reveals an amazing truth about God’s character and how you can grow in faith and character. There is also a 'fun fact' included with each devotion that animal lovers will enjoy.

Each devotion ends with a 'make it stick' and 'live it out' section. The first is typically a simple & fun activity children can do to that makes the lesson they learnt in the devotional to 'stick' in their minds more. 'Live it out' is usually a practical application of how to live out the Biblical truth they've learnt.

This devotional would be easy to bring into every day conversations. As children encounter the animals they've read about in the devotions, whether in nature, at the Zoo, on TV or in other books, parents and adults could easily ask them questions about the spiritual lessons they learnt from that animal. It's fun, imaginative and full of great spiritual lessons for your littles!

[Rolling Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Faith: 52 Amazing Animals That Point to One Great God has quickly become a favorite in our home! This adventurous devotional takes kids on a journey through the wild to discover God’s amazing creation—one animal at a time.

Each week features a different creature—some familiar, some rare—and every story beautifully points back to our Creator. The pages are filled with bright, vivid illustrations (a mix of playful art and real-life photos) that capture little ones’ attention right away. I love that each devotional is short and simple enough for younger kids (ages 3 and up) to sit and listen, yet still full of meaningful truths that even older children can grow from.

At the end of every reading, there are two thoughtful prompts—“Make It Stick” and “Live It Out.” These help kids connect what they’ve learned to everyday life and put their faith into action. The devotional also begins with a clear gospel message, inviting children to see God’s glory through His creation and to know Him personally.

My boys were instantly drawn to it and can’t wait to dive deeper each week. I especially love the Certificate of Awesome Animal Expertise at the end—it’s such a fun way to celebrate their learning and engagement!

This devotional makes a wonderful addition to homeschool mornings, Sunday school, or family devotion time. It’s faith-filled, beautifully written, and points little hearts toward wonder and worship. 🌿

✨ Highly recommend for ages 4–8 (and beyond)!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to hear Valerie Ellis was coming out with a new devotional for kids 7-11. We read "Let's Go! Bible Adventures" frequently with our 3 and 5yr olds, and to know something of the same caliber would be coming for my 8 and 10yos was exciting news.
It does not disappoint.
Wild Faith has 52 featured animals with four pages each, all of which follow a consistent format of a main verse, creature feature (many of which have unusual or less-known traits) relating to the verse, and "make it stick" and "live it out" ideas to help solidify the point.
The intro includes a clear Gospel presentation and answers why we want to study creation in the first place, and what it has to do with our lives.
The art is excellent: clear and captivating illustrations of each creature jump off the page.

All in all, our hard copy is eagerly anticipated. We'll read it aloud with all four kids, and then hand it off to the older kids to read daily on their own.

Thanks to WaterBrook for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and sharing Valerie's earlier books, I've been eager for this one to launch into the world. Her joy in the wonders of the world and in sharing God's love shine through every page of this amazing devotional. I'm learning so much about the incredible creatures that populate different areas around the globe! Every page provides fascinating information and fun facts and gorgeous illustrations that work well with the text and with the entire "feel" of this book. The recommended age is 7-11, but I intend to share with younger children, too, to draw them into the vast diversity of creation and the loving God who created everything. I also am reading this as a devotional myself, and I'm a grandmother! My grandson is 8 months old but already loves books and we will enjoy learning together as he grows (and I have much to learn, even at my age). Thank you, Valerie, this book must have taken a LOT of time to write, but what fun you must have had!

[Matthew C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to be chosen by Watermark to receive Valerie Ellis’s new book, Wild Faith: Devotional for Kids! Beautifully illustrated by Jen Bricking, this devotional is both visually stunning and spiritually enriching.

Wild Faith is a wonderful resource for families. My middle school-aged children and I have had some great conversations while reading through it together. Valerie Ellis masterfully combines the wonder of God’s creation with the truth of His goodness, helping kids connect their everyday lives with timeless biblical principles.
Each day’s entry features a fascinating animal, a fun fact, a relevant scripture, and engaging prompts to help kids “live it out” and “make it stick.” It’s exactly the kind of uplifting and faith-building content every home can benefit from.

I highly recommend this devotional for families looking to grow in faith together!

[Luminous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A STEM Devotional Perfect for Animal Lovers!

This delightful devotional takes readers on an exciting journey to explore 52 animals, from familiar friends to extraordinary and lesser-known creatures! Beautiful illustrations and photographs bring each animal to life, and young explorers will get to learn biblical truths through animals such as Bottlenose Dolphins,
who help others selflessly,
and Colugos who glide effortlessly through the trees, trusting in God's care.

Some of my favorite features:
🐘 Each devotion focuses on a different animal to teach biblical truths.
🐧 Interactive reflection questions that help reinforce the message.
🐬 Fun and fascinating facts about each animal.
🦥 Faith meets science!

Blending adventure with faith, this book
invites children on an engaging exploration of God's amazing creation, helping them grow closer to Him!

Perfect for ages 7 and up, this would make a wonderful gift for animal lovers!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children’s devotional is perfect for your animal loving kiddos! One of my favorite things about this book is while my daughter learns about one of God’s animal creation each day, she also learns, through that creation, about her relationship with God and about new ways to talk with him. The small Honeybee, one of God’s creations, even teaches her a valuable lesson about how to spread God’s love. The “Live it Out” and “Make it Stick” prompts encourage my daughter to remember what she learned about God throughout the day. The illustrations are also eye catching and beautiful!
I did receive a free review copy of the Wild Faith: Devotional for Kids from Waterbrook. My opinions are genuine and completely my own. We love this children’s devotional!

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful writer Valerie Ellis is! In her newest book, Wild Faith Devotional for Kids (such a great title!) Valerie partners with illustrator Jen Bricking and various photographers to bring to life 52 amazing creatures and how they point to one great God. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I adore 'In the Shepherd's Care,' firstly, because I have always loved the image of Jesus as my shepherd, and secondly, because the photograph is of a Herdwick sheep... known as the 'smiling sheep' because they looks like they are smiling! In Valerie's words... "Let's follow our faithful Shepherd and trust his loving care. He leads us on the right paths. He never leaves us. And when we follow Him, we will experience lives filled with the things that really matter."
Amen and Amen.

[Gina Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading intervention teacher turned homeschool mom and this devotional checks all my wants! Love that it incorporates lots of different and unique animals that will be perfect jumping off points for science for us! My kids ages 2-8 all love the illustrations and learning about our Gods love and creation through animals! My 4 year is especially loving getting to know more about God through his love for animals. Love that we can use this as a stand alone nightly devotional but also plan on using this as part of our homeschool curriculum! Will be buying a few extra to keep in my gift bin for birthdays/last minute gifts for birthday parties since I know kids of all ages will enjoy!

[Katie Schon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got a free review copy from Waterbrook (thanks!) and I'm loving this! Can't wait for the hard copy to arrive.

Each animal gets two spreads, with a bible quote, some interesting animal facts, and the related devotional - as well as some little ideas to "make it stick" or "live it out." I love that there is an illustration and photograph for each animal, too!

My favorite part is the way the book works with some really unique and interesting animal facts as inspiration for the devotional elements - they are not all the first thing you'd think of, which makes them so much more interesting!

[Jennifer Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and super interesting devotional for your family. Speaking as a homeschool mom, I would use Valerie's devotional for our morning/science time. This could definitely go in the "living book" category. I love that Valerie takes time to introduce us to God, who He is, and the Gospel before the devotionals start. It is so lovely. The illustrations are amazing! Some of them look like photographs, they are that realistic looking. The devotionals are simple and deep. They will be great introductions to even bigger discussions for your older kids and are fine as they are for your younger ones. No one will be bored between the animal facts, people facts, and diving deeper into who God is - Valerie will have your children (and you!) looking at all of God's creation through thankful eyes.

[Kris Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wild Faith Devotional for Kids by Valerie Ellis contains biblical wisdom and 52 amazing animals to explore. Kids ages 7-11 will learn how each animal points to one great God! A combination of text, illustration, and really cool animal photographs will engage kids and keep them turning pages. In addition, there is a “Make it Stick” and “Live it Out” which points kids towards interactive reflections, questions, prayers, and more. What I like about this Devotional is how it connects each awesome animal and their unique traits to easy-to-understand scripture. Jen Bricking’s bright engaging illustrations captures each animal living in its habitat. Highly recommend.

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

From flamingos and penguins to elephants and axolotls, this book boasts a fascinating array of fifty-two different animals, each tied to a message about God their Creator. Packed with full-color photographs and artwork, each devotion includes not only fun animal facts but also “Make It Stick” and “Live It Out” sections that encourage young readers to apply these truths about God to their own lives. I love the way the author combines faith and science to point kids toward a deeper faith in God. Highly recommend!

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

[SUSANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wild Faith" is wildly awesome! What a beautiful idea to create a devotional for kids based on animals. It offers everything you hoped for and more. It is the perfect reading for any time of the day, and great for the whole family to learn something new and to reflect together. The book is beautiful to look at, and it immediately makes you want to cherish it and share it. Valerie Ellis has created a way for families to bring God to our daily lives, and mostly importantly to our children's hearts.

[Sally Cressman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun one! The devotional features 52 unique and unusual animals, like a glass frog (who knew), as well as more familiar animals like the dog and lion. While learning about the amazing animals God made and their uniqueness, kids will connect with Him in a deeper way. Well done and highly recommend!

Thank you to WaterBrook for providing a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Amanda Stenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Faith Devotion for Kids by Valerie Ellis
-the illustrations are gorgeous and beautifully colored, hand drawn images as well as a real life image of each animal
-I especially love how the table of contents is separated/sorted by animal
-this book is written easily for children to understand the concepts and I love that the Bible verses are sprinkled throughout
-each animal is 4 pages long including a Bible verse, the devotional, a fun fact, live it out, and make it stick

[Kat Grannemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Faith Devotional is a delightful faith journey for kids who love animals. Each devotion pairs a fun animal fact with a Bible verse and a meaningful, easy-to-understand message. The content is engaging, uplifting, and perfect for helping kids see God’s creativity in the world around them. Our family has loved doing the daily devotional as part of our bedtime routine. This book makes faith fun, accessible, and exciting. A wonderful choice for any young (or old) animal lover!

I received a free review copy from WaterBrook, but opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Kathy O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children will love all the amazing information about animals in the book Wild Faith Devotional for Kids. They’ll learn about the cheek pouches of vervet monkeys and why flamingos are pink. I recommend this book because the information about each animal led to a spiritual message about God’s love and care for the reader. I received a free copy from Waterbrook, and the opinions are completely my own.

[April Graney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable and unique devotional by Valerie Ellis is a must have for every Christian family. The author comes up with the most amazing book ideas! It's one I absolutely would have read with littles during our homeschooling days! Learn about ANIMALS and the amazing God who created them with unique features that speak to who HE is at the same time! I love this idea so much. I'm recommending it to our school librarian and plan to read it to my new grandson as soon as he is old enough.

[Annette Bourland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Faith Devotional for Kids is excellent for spiritual growth, with colorful photographs and beautiful illustrations, the kid-friendly content is suitable for all ages. The book effectively combines science and Scripture, featuring interesting facts about God's creation and life application lessons. I appreciate how it engages both children and adults, and it works well for second graders through fifth graders. If your family has a range of kids, Wild Faith will bring all of you together.

[Rachel Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional book is perfect for my animal loving kids! It makes learning about God’s love accessible for children. I especially love the “Live it Out” section of the devotional that encourages kids to apply what they’ve learned in their daily life. The illustrations are just beautiful too! Can’t wait to gift this to the other kiddos in my family for Christmas!