HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING! Book Review and Giveaway

Are you seeing little whispers of spring yet? Tiny bits of color here and there warm the heart, don’t they? Spring is around the bend, and so is Easter. If you’re searching for a sweet gift with a biblical focus for the little ones, then check out this review of HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING!

The Author

The author, Laura Sassi, a graduate of Princeton University and UCLA, 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.

Sassi finds special joy in sharing messages of kindness, comfort, and hope at school visits, church gatherings, and other events.

She has written numerous books, including LOVE IS KIND, GOODNIGHT ARK, and DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE.

You can find several reviews of her books on this blog, including another faith-based Easter book, Bunny Finds Easter.

The Illustrator

Gabi Murphy has been a freelance artist for over thirty-five years. HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING! is the second book she has illustrated for Laura Sassi. Her endearing illustrations and use of bright colors will surely bring many smiles. And the colors are a featured element of this book’s story.

It’s a delight to see Murphy illustrate people with all skin tones. I’ve noticed Paraclete Press has several children’s books like that.

Also, children will have fun pointing out all the animals they see. I counted at least fourteen!

About HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING

Published by Paraclete Press, HAPPY EASTER, RISEN KING celebrates the joy of Easter and all the colors that come with it.

Rhyming text incorporates color words to introduce children to Jesus’ resurrection. Each color word is presented in a font with the corresponding color.

“Instead, an angel dressed in white
Fills the tomb with shining light!”

Children will see a yellow sun, orange jars, brown doves, green grass, a gray stone, an angel in white, a pink blossom, and purple petals. Many other colors are presented throughout the book, culminating in a rainbow at the end.

The story is short. It begins with two women approaching an empty tomb, hearing the angel speak, and running to tell the others Jesus has risen. The story ends with an illustration of Jesus speaking with a group of joyful people.

“Look, there He is! Clap and sing.
Happy Easter, Risen King!”

Recommendation and Giveaway

I recommend this engaging board book for babies and preschoolers. They’ll find all twelve pages bright and joyful as they learn more about colors and, more importantly, about Jesus.

You can find additional resources to accompany this book at Paraclete Press—coloring sheets, games, and more. And they’re all free. Thanks, Paraclete Press!

Everyone can access Paraclete’s online freebies, but only one person can win a copy of this book. Normally, we pull a name from this blog’s email subscriber list.

But, this time, we will also put names in the basket of anyone (subscriber or not)  who comments “Happy Easter” here, on Instagram, Facebook, or X.

Let’s spread the joy of our Risen King!

To enter the drawing, comment below or at one of these places: 

Facebook Page: Sally Matheny – Encourager, Writer, Speaker
Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/sallymatheny7/
X:                         https://x.com/Sally_Matheny

We will announce the winner on March 12, 2026!

Congratulations to the email subscriber: “brandykl_ _ _ _” Yay! You won! I’ve sent you an email from this website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.

Her nonfiction writing appears in worldwide, national, and regional publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.