Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children
Dan Barker, illustrated by Alma Cuebas, Freedom From Religion Foundation 1988
Picture book
A short book that presents gods and religious stories as myths, and encourages children to think for themselves.
The favorite
God Probably Doesn't Exist
A Book about Not Believing in Gods
Patrik Lindenfors · Fri Tanke 2011
Introduces atheism to children and young people. Translated into eight languages.
“Finally some honest religious education in the world of children’s books!”Expressen
Atheism
Books showing that you can understand the world without gods.
Maybe Yes, Maybe No: A Guide for Young Skeptics
Dan Barker, Prometheus 1990
Picture book5+
How to find out what is true by asking questions and checking.
Atheism for Kids
Jessica Thorpe, illustrated by Teal Barnes
An introduction to atheism for children.
The Belief Book
David G. McAfee, illustrated by Chuck Harrison, 2015
9+
Where religious beliefs come from and how they have changed through history.
The Magic of Reality
Richard Dawkins, illustrated by Dave McKean, 2011
Who was the first person? Why are there so many kinds of animals? Each chapter starts with the myths and goes on to what science knows.
The Young Atheist's Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life without God
Alom Shaha, 2012
12+
Alom Shaha tells how he left the faith he grew up with, and how to live a good life without God.
His Dark Materials
Philip Pullman
Fantasy trilogy in which Lyra fights a powerful church that wants to control what people may know. The first book is Northern Lights (The Golden Compass).
Outgrowing God: A Beginner's Guide
Richard Dawkins, Bantam 2019
Dawkins writes for young readers about why you don't need a god to explain the world or to be good.
Small Gods
Terry Pratchett
Satirical Discworld novel about a god who has only one believer left.
Humanism
Books about living a good life without religion.
I Wonder
Annaka Harris, Four Elephants Press 2013
Picture book1+
Picture book about curiosity, and about how it is fine not to know.
What is Humanism? How do you live without a god? And Other Big Questions for Kids
Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young, Wayland 2015
8+
Big questions for kids: how to live a good life, what happens when we die and how to tell right from wrong, without a god.
Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids
Helen Bennett, Prometheus 2005
10+
A teacher explains humanism for curious kids.
Sophie's World
Jostein Gaarder
Novel in which fourteen-year-old Sophie receives letters with questions that lead her through the history of philosophy. About thinking for yourself.
For parents
For adults who want to talk with children about belief and big questions.
Parenting Beyond Belief
Dale McGowan (ed.), Amacom 2007
Essays for parents raising children without religion.
Raising Freethinkers
Dale McGowan et al., Amacom 2009
A practical guide with activities for parents.
Resources
Websites and organizations for parents, teachers and young people.
Understanding Humanism
TeachersParents
Free teaching resources about humanism from Humanists UK, from early years to GCSE, with lesson materials, animations and reading lists.
Visit →Understanding Humanism: Courses
Teachers
Free online courses for teachers who want to teach about humanism.
Visit →Humanists UK: For Parents and Carers
Parents
Materials for talking with children about humanism and life's big questions, book tips and courses, plus information about religion in schools.
Visit →Camp Quest
Kids and teens
Summer camps in the United States for children from secular families, with science, critical thinking and ordinary camp fun.
Visit →Secular Student Alliance
Kids and teens
Support for secular students and student groups in the United States.
Visit →Do you know of a book or resource that you think should be on this site? Email me.