A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 297

Picture Book: Be Gentle

Author & Illustrator: Virginia Miller

Summary: Bartholomew loves his new little black kitten, but he’s not yet learned how to handle his new pet. George, an adult bear, tells him to “be gentle because she is only little.” After some squashing, scary rides, and a surprise with the garden hose, Bartholomew is reminded to be gentle. Each time he says, “Nah!” Bartholomew plays the drums for the new kitten, but she runs away. Then he is sad and sorry so he goes to his secret hiding place, where he finds the little black kitten. He handles her gently, and she purrs. He is learning.

Hanna’s Comments: Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Gentleness has many forms besides what is represented here, but this is a great first lesson for very young children in how to treat others, not just pets. Note that a board book publication of this book has a different cover than the one you see photographed here.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 1997

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, affection, animals, babies/children, caring/tending, care of creation, comfort, companionship, conformity, education/learning/school, fear, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gentleness/meekness, God’s will, golden rule, goodness, hiding/isolation, mistakes, noise/sound/voice, nurturing, pets, play, power, regret/repentance, respect, victims

Scripture Connections: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22); the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason… (James 3:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of very young children who are learning how to care for and respect God’s creatures or the fruits of the Spirit.