Happy Easter Risen King!: An Early Learning Board Book of Colors

by Laura Sassi, Gabi Murphy (Illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

12 pages, Board Book

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. She is the author of multiple books for young children including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark (Zonderkidz), which was a 2015 Christian Book Award Finalist; Goodnight, Manger (Zonderkidz); Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse (Union Square Publishing), which was a 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award Nominee; Love Is Kind (Zonderkidz), which was a 2020 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor Book; Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep (Beaming Books), Bunny Finds Easter (Zonderkidz), Happy Birthday, Christmas Child (Paraclete Press), her new counting board book, and coming in 2023, from Paraclete Press, My Tender Heart Bible and My Tender Heart Prayer Book.

Laura had a successful teaching career before becoming a children’s author. She’s been a homeschool mom, children’s ministry director, historic museum interpreter, and more. She writes daily from her home in New Jersey and finds special joy in sharing messages of kindness, comfort, and faith through story at school visits, church gatherings and other events.

Interested in having her for an author visit? Reach out to her via the contact tab on her blog.

Reviews

[Barb Seregi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to introduce the Resurrection Easter story to your littlest loved ones. This new board book for babies to 5-year-olds should hold up to the wear and tear of most toddlers. It features colors to learn along the way and a host of cute animals, flowers, and adorable characters to point out after the story is over. What color are they? Where's the Angel? Who is the Risen King? Jesus! Happy Easter, Risen King!

I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. But I will be buying a copy!

[Cindy Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful Easter read-aloud for young children. Happy Easter, Risen King! blends rhythmic, engaging text with vibrant illustrations that invite kids to listen closely and join in. The color-focused storytelling keeps little ones engaged while gently guiding them through the Easter morning story.

I especially love how the book balances joy and reverence. The Resurrection message is clear, hopeful, and age-appropriate without feeling heavy. The color element adds an extra layer of learning, making this a great choice for homes, classrooms, and church settings.

If you’re looking for an Easter picture book that goes beyond bunnies and baskets and points children to the heart of the celebration, this one is a lovely addition to your shelf.

[Christy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A colorful retelling of the Resurrection story!

Happy Easter, Risen King!, written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by Gabi Murphy, is a creative retelling of the Resurrection story. With color words woven throughout the pages, Sassi cleverly incorporates foundational learning into both educational and spiritual development. Children will delight in the bold, bright illustrations as they follow along with the bouncy rhyme. Author Laura Sassi is masterful at reaching children's hearts, and she's done it again with Happy Easter, Risen King!

Perfect for little ones, this board book would make an adorable addition to an Easter basket. I'm gifting a few copies to the littlest ones in my life; you might consider doing the same!

Thank you, Paraclete Press, for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own!

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING! is such a sweet board book for Easter. The rhymes are fun, the colors are joyful, and the playful animals tucked into the illustrations will instantly draw kids in. I love how it teaches colors while walking children through the joy of the Resurrection story. It’s cheerful, faith-filled, and perfect for little hands—just right for celebrating Jesus, our Risen King, together at Easter.

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

[Valerie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet Easter book helps kids identify different colors in the story as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The brown doves are my favorite because doves are common birds that many of today's kids see regularly, and they would have seen them in Bible times too. As always, Laura Sassi's rhyming is excellent!

This is the second book in a series. The first is Happy Birthday, Christmas Child, which is a counting book. I love that there's a color book now, all about Easter!

Thank you to Paraclete Press for sending a review copy. All opinions are enthusiastically my own.

[Lauri Fortino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This joyful board book is a beautiful first introduction to Easter for the littlest book enthusiasts. From Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James' visit to Jesus' empty tomb and meeting an angel there to going and proclaiming the good news that Jesus has risen from the dead to Jesus' miraculous appearance, the story of Easter is told in gentle rhyme and vivid color. Colors are emphasized throughout, such as orange perfume jars and pink flower blossoms. This book is lovely, and I especially like the various adorable animals who share in the jubilation of the day.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new board book by Laura Sassi is a jubilant Easter gift for toddlers in your life! Sassi's perfect rhymes follow two women carrying perfume to Jesus' tomb to discover the angel who declares that Jesus is risen and all respond with joy. Sassi added an extra layer by including color identification on several pages. Illustrator Gabi Murphy's vibrant pictures make spring burst forth and show the characters' (and attending animals') changing emotions. The book is a beautiful introduction to the true meaning of Easter for the youngest set.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening Lines of the Book…
On Easter morning, all is still
till yellow sun peeks over hill.
In the garden’s morning glow
two women enter, heads bowed low.

MY THOUGHTS…
A wonderfully colorful look at the true Easter story! I like how the beginning of the book shows the sadness of the women as they approach the tomb on Easter morning. Told in rhyme, each section highlights a new color until we finally get to the Risen King Jesus at the end. The perfect addition to add to your board book collection.

[Trine Grillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Sassi’s newest board book is just as precious as the others she has written. Happy Easter, Risen King! is a delightful way to share the Easter Story with your youngest listeners. Laura has taken a solemn, important story and turned it into the joyful celebration it is. The rhyming is fun to read aloud with lovely illustrations, and she adds colors to learn about as well.
I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for a child’s Easter basket

Happy Easter, Risen King is an adorable board book for preschoolers. It tells the Easter story of Jesus’ resurrection in simple but catchy rhyming words that little children will understand and love to say along with the reader. Children will also love to find the colors and all the little animals on every colorful page. I loved how joyous the rhyming text and illustrations are, which is so appropriate for Easter!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bible-based rhyming and a child-friendly story of the resurrection of Jesus. Sassi has chosen to focus on color words throughout the text, encouraging more engagement from the listener as children find the color as well as the objects simply pictured. Great addition to Christian preschools and libraries. Excellent for baby and toddler Easter Baskets!

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful rhyming account of the resurrection of Jesus for the youngest readers. While the gentle rhyme celebrates the meaning of Easter, young readers are also shown the colors that abound in spring, ending in a rainbow as God’s children and creatures celebrate the risen king. A perfect introduction to the meaning of Easter.

[Laura Sassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the companion to the popular HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS CHILD, it is my hope as the author that HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING! will provide littlest readers and their caregivers a chance to slow down and point and count and marvel on each and every page as they celebrate that first Easter morning using color as the spark. I hope you have as much fun reading it, as I had writing it.

[Patti Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Laura Sassi has done it again with this perfectly precious board book for the littlest loves in your life. Jesus’s resurrection comes alive and walks toddlers and preschoolers through the event with gentle, perfectly paced rhyme. Young readers learn their colors and see the Story that changed the world forever in a bright, new way! A must for every Easter basket!

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invite young kids to celebrate Easter by reading this rhyming board book by Sassi and Murphy. Not only will they learn the resurrection story, but they will also seek and find colorful objects, working on their concept of colors, culminating to a rainbow at the end of the story. I love how little ones can praise Jesus through this book!

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming story tells the story of Jesus’ resurrection in a way that the youngest learner can understand—and it includes the introduction of colors. It’s relational & informative, with lovely illustrations. Great for home libraries, Sunday Schools, or schools. It has re-readability

[Mindy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that weaves the fun and age-appropriate pre-school skill of identifying colors into the beloved Easter message of the resurrection of Jesus! Perfect for Easter baskets everywhere.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charmingly illustrated, rhyming picture book shares the story of Jesus’s resurrection. Readers will enjoy the rhythmic, rhyming text that captures the wonder, hope, and joy of this event. Each page highlights a color as the story unfolds.

“On Easter morning, all is still
till yellow sun peaks over hill.”
“The heavy stone, so big and gray,
has somehow, strangely, rolled away!”

[Jasmine Ganter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easter story with early learning combined.
Love that it serves a dual purpose.

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an economy of well-chosen words and impeccable rhyme, Laura Sassi presents a lovely little retelling of the resurrection. AND teaches colors along the way. Simply delightful!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to receive a review copy of Laura Sassi's newest board book, Happy Easter, Risen King! The simple rhyme, spare text, and colorful pictures drew me in. Multiple layers add to this sturdy book. Color words fit into the rhyme and story of Jesus' resurrection. Animals join the story (only as observers, no talking animals here). The retelling of what happened to the women who visited Jesus' tomb on Easter morning is age appropriate for the youngest of readers. Overall, the spring colors and accurate retelling of the Bible story combine to make a great board book for little ones to enjoy.
*All opinions are my own.