How to Build Character Through Literature
(ID 41629192 | Literature © Kolinkotanya | Dreamstime.com)
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Daniel 1:17 NIV
Once upon a time . . .
As a kid, those four words hooked me every time. Little did I know how much they would build my own character. Here are the first lines from some of my favorite stories. Can you name their titles?
1. “Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were—Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.”
2. “Here is Edward Bear coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head behind Christopher Robin.”
3. “When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen.”
4. “ ‘Where’s Papa going with that axe?’ said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.”
5. “Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.”
6. “It was a dark and stormy night.”
7. “Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, former Baron of Gorlan in the Kingdom of Araluen, looked out over his bleak, rainswept domain and, for perhaps the thousandth time, cursed.”
8. “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”
I’ll let you in on a secret.
If you want to build character in your grandchildren, try story. You know, children’s literature.
Story? But shouldn’t they read the Bible?
Of course.
But the brain gets wary in the face of principles, morals, and rules. Leviticus, anybody?
Would you rather read about the levirate vow and the role of the kinsman-redeemer in Numbers and Deuteronomy or follow the narrative where they play out in the Book of Ruth?
Why (the right) Kid Lit Works
Story goes straight for the heart. As readers engage with characters, their hearts engage with the conflict—and they learn how to handle conflict too.
C. S. Lewis wrote, “Since it is so likely that they [children] will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights in heroic courage.”
And you have plenty of quality literature to choose from. Classics abound, from picture books to short stories to chapter books of every length. The general market offers some excellent reading, though it requires some vetting, and Christian kid lit improves every day.
Resources
Here are some resources to get you started. I don’t recommend every book listed, so exercise discernment:
Kid Lit blogs that review books: Valerie Fentress, Sally Matheny
The Book of Virtues by William Bennett (Picture book versions available)
Quality books with a movie version
Next Steps
1. Keep a stash of books at your house.
2. Give literature as gifts.
3. Consider reading a book together with your grandchild, or at least read the same book. Then discuss it together. If there’s a movie, schedule a movie night.
4. Bribe them. Reward the behavior that you want to see. Start your own reading program and see what interests them for a prize.
5. Magazines are good too, especially for reluctant readers. Sports, science, whatever sparks their interest.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Fill the minds of your grandkids with great stories and watch their character grow.
P. S. Do your children or grandchildren love mysteries? Our faith-building detective series for kids aged 7-11 launches spring 2026. Kid-sized mysteries. God-sized truth. Get the scoop now. Sign up for our Detective Dispatches.
Answers to Quotes Above and Virtues/Principles Modeled:
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (Obedience, consequences)
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne (Friendship, love your neighbor)
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Healing, friendship, selflessness)
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (Friendship, sacrifice)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (Salvation, Jesus, unconditional love, sacrifice)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Love’s triumph over evil)
Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan (Friendship, discipline, celebrate uniqueness)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Doing what’s right when it’s hard, friendship, sacrifice, love your neighbor, stand against evil)
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