Christian Children’s Books About Trust: A Heartfelt Guide for Families

In a world filled with noise, fear, and pressure, teaching children to trust God can feel like a big task. That’s where Christian children’s books become powerful tools. The best stories don’t just entertain—they plant seeds of faith, courage, and deep trust in God’s loving plan.
If you’re looking for meaningful Christian children’s books about trust, few stories are as tender and soul-stirring as Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World by Lisa Tazza Friesen. With poetic language, vivid illustrations, and a deep spiritual message, this book gently teaches kids that even when the world feels heavy, they’re never alone.
Let’s dive into what makes this story special—and why trust is such a vital lesson for young hearts.
Why Trust Is a Cornerstone in Christian Children’s Literature
Trust is one of the first spiritual values a child can grasp. Whether it’s learning to let go of fear, follow God’s plan, or believe in something unseen, trust is woven into every part of the Christian journey. And for children, especially, the concept of trusting a loving, unseen Creator can be both comforting and powerful.
Books that teach biblical trust help children:
- Understand God’s role as a loving Father
- Recognize that they are not alone in their struggles
- Build emotional resilience rooted in faith
- Embrace their purpose even when it feels overwhelming
That’s exactly the kind of foundation Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World helps build.
Meet Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World
Written and illustrated by Lisa Tazza Friesen, Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World is a spiritual allegory told through the eyes of a gentle sea turtle chosen by Creator God to carry the world on her back.
Mama Turtle’s journey is tender, emotional, and deeply relatable. She’s entrusted with a great task—caring for the world—but she feels too small for the job. Creator God assures her, “You must trust Me,” and this becomes the central thread of her journey.
As Mama Turtle lays her eggs, releases her babies, bears burdens, and eventually lets go, readers are taken on a journey of love, loss, strength, and surrender. At its core, this story is about trusting God with the people we love—and learning that we were never meant to carry it all alone.
Why This Book Is a Standout in Christian Children’s Books About Trust
So many faith-based books for kids talk about God’s love—but few show what it feels like to trust God in practical, emotional ways. Lisa Tazza Friesen captures this with poetic clarity.
Here’s what makes Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World exceptional:
- It’s spiritually honest: Mama Turtle admits her fears and exhaustion. She struggles, like any of us. Kids learn that trust doesn’t mean being fearless—it means being honest and still moving forward.
- It’s grounded in Scripture: The story reflects the spirit of verses like 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” The narrative lives out this message in a child-friendly way.
- It’s emotionally powerful: Children—and parents—feel the weight of Mama Turtle’s burden. And they feel the freedom of letting it go. That moment of release is unforgettable.
- It’s visually rich: The illustrations are simple yet full of life, designed to mirror the emotional and spiritual journey without overwhelming young readers.
The Faith Message: Trusting God With What We Cannot Control
At its heart, Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World is about surrender. Mama Turtle wants to protect her babies. She wants to carry all the burdens herself. But Creator God gently reminds her: You’ve done enough. Now give them to Me.
This is one of the most powerful lessons in Christian parenting—and one of the hardest. Children reading this story begin to grasp that they can trust God with the people and things they love most.
They learn:
- They are loved even when they feel small
- God sees their struggles and strengthens them
- Trusting God doesn’t remove the waves—but it helps them swim
How This Story Speaks to Children and Adults Alike
What makes Mama Turtle so special is that it’s not just a children’s story—it’s a family story.
Parents will recognize the emotional weight of parenting. Children will feel the comfort of a guiding voice. Grandparents, caregivers, and teachers can use this story as a gentle way to open up conversations about letting go, trusting God, and navigating change.
It’s a story that invites reflection, prayer, and connection—especially when read together during family devotionals, bedtime, or Sunday school.
Other Powerful Christian Children’s Books About Trust
If you’re building a bookshelf of Christian children’s books about trust, consider pairing Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World with other trusted titles like:
- The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton – Explains God’s rescue plan in a kid-friendly way
- Found: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones – A board book adaptation of the famous psalm about trusting the Shepherd
- It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst – A comforting book about anxiety and learning to trust God in the unknown
- The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung – Traces the biblical narrative of trust and redemption
These stories, like Mama Turtle, center on a loving God who calls us to trust—even when the journey is hard.
Start the Conversation About Trust Early
Trust is more than a word—it’s a spiritual muscle. And like any muscle, it grows stronger with practice. The earlier we help children understand how to trust God, the more confident and grounded their faith will become.
Books like Mama Turtle Learns How to Carry the World don’t just entertain. They open hearts. They spark questions. They give children a picture of a loving Creator who carries us when life feels too big.
So if you’re searching for meaningful Christian children’s books about trust, start here. You won’t just be reading a story—you’ll be planting seeds that grow for life.