--- title: If Jesus Came to My School description: Alexis Dallara-Marsh reviews a Christian picture book designed to help young children to learn about kindness and welcoming others.  image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20250812%20ADMarsh%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/if-jesus-came-to-my-school#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # If Jesus Came to My School Aug 12, 2025 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/alexis-dallara-marsh) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20250812%20ADMarsh%201.png) *Alexis Dallara-Marsh reviews a Christian picture book designed to help young children to learn about kindness and welcoming others. * --- ## [If Jesus Came to My School](https://www.amazon.com/If-Jesus-Came-My-School/dp/0593796551/) By April Graney; illustrated by Yana Kozak Published by Multnomah Books [If Jesus Came to My School](https://www.amazon.com/If-Jesus-Came-My-School/dp/0593796551/), written by April Graney and illustrated by Yana Kozak, is a cute and inclusive picture book with rhyming text accompanied by cheerful artwork. It is probably best suited for toddlers and possibly early elementary school-aged kids. I am hopeful that my 9- and 8-year-old children will take the time to share this easy reader with my very active and sometimes difficult to engage 3-year-old. ![If Jesus Came to My School](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/If%20Jesus%20Came%20to%20My%20School.jpg?width=1500&height=1500&name=If%20Jesus%20Came%20to%20My%20School.jpg) Imagining Jesus as a first-grader makes our fully human but fully divine Lord much more relatable to little ones, both for His teachings and for more effectively encouraging them to mimic His ways. This book would also be a great teaching tool as it helps one to imagine Jesus in our 21st-century American school culture. There are engaging illustrations of the other children's various facial expressions on a typical school day (one sleeping with her glasses falling sideways, another deeply lost in a first-grade book). ## Inclusion Portrayed in Both Text and Illustrations Jesus is one of the multiple children in this book who are darker-skinned, a deviation from some of the other common depictions in our society, but one which I very much value. Such a depiction can open discussion of His ancestral origins while emphasizing the relevance of diversity, particularly in the United States. Jesus wears a white cloak with a blue sash, reminding me somewhat of Mother Teresa, another potential discussion point. The pictures of the smiling children are quite inviting, perfect for little ones. The book almost reminds me of what a first- or second-grader might have written had they been given a similar assignment of what Jesus would be like to them as a child. From the child Jesus racing down a slide to eating egg rolls and tacos, it is a sweet story of how we can be a neighbor to one another, particularly someone new. The plotline revolves around Jesus first being brought into the class and then extending friendship to another child who feels alone. The theme is so easy for a young child to grasp and follow along. I appreciate the enthusiasm and positivity, as well as the simplicity. More than math, English, or anything else, it is so critical to teach our children how to exhibit kindness to one another in the classroom. This is particularly true given the high incidence of social isolation and bullying in our country. The story concludes that, as the Church is the hands and feet and body of Christ, it is imperative that we carry out His teachings by displaying a welcoming kindness which includes all around us. I am inspired by this book that our children are both the light of the world and that world peace is indeed a possibility through our living Lord, Jesus Christ.  ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20250812%20ADMarsh%202.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20250812%20ADMarsh%202.png) Find *If Jesus Came to My School* at all major booksellers and on **[Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/If-Jesus-Came-My-School/dp/0593796551/).**   Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2025 Alexis Dallara-Marsh Images: (top) provided by the publisher ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fif-jesus-came-to-my-school%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fif-jesus-came-to-my-school%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fif-jesus-came-to-my-school%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=If%20Jesus%20Came%20to%20My%20School) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fif-jesus-came-to-my-school%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fif-jesus-came-to-my-school%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Alexis%20Dallara%20Marsh.jpg) ### [Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/alexis-dallara-marsh) Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of four little ones on Earth, plus two others in Heaven above. ## Related Blog Articles [ There Is No Saint Named Kelly Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/there-is-no-saint-named-kelly) [ Journal Together with your Kids Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/journal-together-with-your-kids) [ Her Name is Ariceli Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/her-name-is-ariceli) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.