Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots: A Beginner's Gospel Story Book of Questions and Answers

by Jared Kennedy, Trish Mahoney (Illustrator)

24 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2026

About the author

Jared Kennedy (MDiv, ThM) serves as managing editor for books and curriculum at The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder and principal of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps churches and families share Jesus with the next generation. He is also the author of resources for children and adults, including 'The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible' and 'Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission.' You can follow him on X @jaredskennedy. He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Jared]

I'm reading through proofs today. Really excited to share this with everyone in the Spring!

[Kathryn Mcilwraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first-time mom to my own “tiny tot,” I’m constantly looking for reliable, child-friendly ways to tell this little soul about her need for a  Savior.

Young minds are always asking questions. Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots by Jared Kennedy uses questions and answers to communicate biblical truths. Each page has a Scripture reference to support the truth on that page.
The illustrations by Trish Mahoney are playful, inviting, and inclusive. They will keep a child’s attention while an adult reads.
I believe that this book will be a valuable resource for our family as we continue to disciple the young child that God has placed in our care.

(If your family avoids illustrations of the Godhead, note that this book does contain illustrations of Christ as a Shepherd and King, and of the Holy Spirit as a dove.)

[Emily Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding a solid introduction to the Gospel for toddlers can be tricky, but Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots is a standout. It uses a simple Q&A catechism style—16 questions in total—that makes big truths manageable for little ones.

What I loved:

Scripture-Focused: Each answer is paired with a Bible verse, making it easy to incorporate scripture memory into our routine.

Engaging: The illustrations are vibrant and "eye-catching," which is a must for keeping a wiggly toddler focused.

Truth-Driven: The answers are simple enough for a child to grasp without watering down the actual Biblical message.

This would be a great read for over meal times or at bedtime to help children remember big truths about God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, the nature of sin and salvation in a short and understandable way.

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

I really like how Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots makes big ideas easy for young kids to understand. The book uses simple questions, answers, and pictures to help children learn about Christianity, including Jesus’s sacrifice, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how we can be saved.

The simplicity of this picture book makes it special. It uses Bible verses, basic lessons, and colorful illustrations to help kids learn important values and teachings from the Bible. Overall, it’s a wonderful way to introduce young children to Faith and help them understand what it means to follow Jesus.

First Line: Question 1 – Who made the world?
Genre: Children
Author: Jared Kennedy
Page Count: 24
Reading Age: 2-5

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

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a catechism-style book for your preschooler, Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots is one you should consider. The book contains 16 question and answer 2-page spreads. Kennedy has crafted questions that many children ask. The questions range from “who made the world” to “when is Jesus coming back.” Answers are given in simple terms that a child can understand.
Mahoney used bright colors to illustrate each question. Her illustrations may help children better understand the answers to each of these theological questions.
Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots would make a great addition to any children’s library, especially one that caters to preschoolers. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will find this book helpful in answering the questions of little ones.
I received a complimentary copy of Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots. This is my honest review.

[Nicholas Bitterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This catechism does a great job of breaking down big concepts into very small words. Definitely a great resource for pre-K. It is odd that they never use the word forgiveness, but this is a trend that I’ve noticed in all the kids catechisms that I have read. If nothing else, the Protestant evangelical catechism renewal movement is certainly propagated by this book, and that’s a win in my book.

[Brittany Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect beginning catechism for even the very smallest child! Children aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions in life, and this book helps provide answers that point us back to God, the Savior and His Word.