Today’s
PBT offering is a sampling (7) of Max Lucado’s picture books. Lucado is an American
Christian theologian and minister whose numerous books for children and adults
have been on bestseller lists for decades. Many can be found in various media devises
and formats such as tablets, video and audio.
Picture Book: The Boy and the Ocean
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: T. Lively Fluharty
Summary: This story centers around a
family with a young boy while on a beach vacation. As they explore the vast beauty
that surrounds them, the boy is inspired by the beauty and his discoveries. His
parents offer him theological teachings about the glory of creation and how it
expresses our Creator’s unmatched love. Here’s an example of one of these
teachings:
"God’s love is like the ocean, my little boy," she said.
"It’s always here.
It’s always deep.
It never ends.
God’s love is special."
Hanna’s Comments: The
beauty of Fluharty’s illustrations are one of the strengths of this book. Because
this is a large book, sharing it with a group would work well. Be sure to
connect the beauty of this world to the beauty of the world that is present to
your audience.
Idea(s) for Application: Consider
taking this book on a family vacation (beach or otherwise) to read to a child
or grandchild before bedtime. You could also use this book with a group of
adults to help them better understand contemplative prayer.
Original Publisher & Date: Crossway,
2013
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5
and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Picture Book: You Are Special
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Sergio Marinez
Summary: Punchinello is one of the
small wooden creatures (Wemmicks) who spend their time either sticking each
other with gold stars or gray dots depending on how beautiful or talented that
Wemmick is deemed to be. Punchinello gets only gray dots for he can do little
and has many scratches. He is amazed by a new friend, Lucia, who wants neither
stars nor marks. She suggests Punchinello befriend Eli, the Woodcarver, who
tells Punchinello that what other Wemmicks think doesn’t matter; only what the
woodcarver (Creator) thinks matters. The Woodcarver thinks Punchinello is “pretty
special” simply because “your mine.” He goes on to explain that the stickers
only stick if they matter to you.
Hanna’s Comments: Lucado
has several picture books featuring the world of Wemmicks and Eli the Woodcarver.
This is the first in the series. This allegorical world offers children another
context to explore God’s love and human relationships.
Idea(s) for Application: Read
this book to a group of children in a homeschool or private school setting who
are learning about basic literary concepts such as symbolism and allegory. In these settings you can share your faith.
Original Publisher & Date: Crossway,
1997
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4
and up, Pre and up
Picture Book: The Oak Inside the Acorn
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: George Angelini
Summary: An acorn asks questions of
his mother tree regarding his purpose. She tells him that within you is a great
oak. Just be the tree God made you to be. Later he is planted and becomes a large
oak tree. Big Oak wonders what he is meant to do since he is the tallest and widest
tree. He discovers that he is meant to provide the limbs for a young girl to
swing. Then he watches her grow and change to become the person God made
her to be.
Hanna’s Comments: I really
like this metaphor that Lucado cleverly uses to encourage children (and adults)
to consider and claim that within all of us there is a capacity to become what
God intends. I do believe this issue has to be handled carefully though. We don’t
want folks to see God’s intentions as simple or singular. Instead, I believe
that God encourages our capacities no matter the circumstances we find
ourselves. I believe vocation is about loving orientation, generous practices, and
self-knowledge of our gifts. Vocation is not a guessing game with only one
answer that pleases God. This book offers that kind of open possibility for the
girl character.
Idea(s) for Application: Read
this book to a group of children or teens who are approaching or in the midst
of confirmation or post high school experiences.
Original Publisher & Date: Thomas
Nelson, 2006
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6
and up, 1st and up
Picture Book: All You Ever Need
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Douglas Klauba
Summary: This story is also an allegory,
but at its center is a Jesus figure in addition to a God figure. Tobias, the
Watermaster, has a wellspring in the desert which he shares with all. His son,
Julian, helps people access the water. When Tobias and Julian leave the well,
they put Elzevir in charge. Elzevir did as directed until he noticed the people
were not grateful so he decided to give water only to those who were grateful.
Then he required that they be nice to neighbors and animals. As Elzevir found
more fault with the people, the villagers grew sad and angry. Eventually a
stranger comes who reveals himself to be the adult Julian who has come to share
his Father’s water with all. The people want revenge, but Julian says, “My
father’s water is a gift to all. He instructs everyone, ‘Freely you have
received, freely give.’
Hanna’s Comments: This
book can be quite powerful if you help your audience translate its implications
into modern applications. Notice here that neither confession nor a statement
of belief is necessary to receive the water.
Idea(s) for Application:
This book would be a great tool for delving into social justice issues with
youth and adult groups.
Original Publisher & Date: Crossway,
2000
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
There is a version of this book with the focus on a young boy.
Picture Book: Just in Case You Ever Wonder
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Toni Goffe
Summary: At the beginning of this
book, a mother says to her daughter that “God made you like no one else” and “God
sent you to just the right family.” As the girl grows, her father continues the
words of affirmation and comfort by promising that “I’ll always be there for
you.” The book ends with positive descriptions of heaven.
Hanna’s Comments: This
book offers an opportunity for parents who struggle with how to communicate
their faith to their children. For many parents, this is a very real need. Reading
these words to their children may lead to more confidence in speaking about faith and future faith
conversations.
Idea(s) for Application:
This would be a great book to give to families when a new child arrives, when
they attend a church-sponsored parenting class, or when they graduate from a
literacy program assuming they have young children or grandchildren.
Original Publisher & Date: Thomas
Nelson, 1992
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3
and up, Pre and up
Picture Book: With You All the Way
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Chuck Gillies
Summary: This knight’s tale involves 3
knights trying for the hand of a princess. The prince explains they must
journey to the King’s castle via Hemlock, a dark and deadly forest where they
will encounter Hopenots, small clever creatures. Each may choose a companion. The
prince shows them an ivory flute and explains that they will be guided by the
King’s song from an identical flute. The King will play it at the castle 3
times a day. The knights choose their companions
and leave. Later at the King’s castle, 2 men stumble out of Hemlock. It is Cassidon,
the wisest, not the strongest or the swiftest, and his chosen companion. He tells
of the treacheries of the Hopenots, who would imitate the flute song of the
king. “How did you hear my song?” the King asks. Cassidon explained that he
asked the prince to be his companion because he held the other flute and was
the only one who knew his father’s song. In learning the song, Cassidon was able
to distinguish it from the imitations and find his way through Hemlock to the
castle. This story was originally published as The Song of the King so you may find it with that title.
Hanna’s Comments: This
book uses the symbolic idea of “hearing God’s song” but it is up to you to
interpret what that means to your audience. Keep in mind that young children will
have difficulty with abstract concepts. Talk about abstract ideas by pairing
them with what they look like. Children will understand a behavior before they
understand an idea.
Idea(s) for Application: Read
this book during an elementary Sunday school class and talk about discernment and/or
Christian discipleship practices.
Original Publisher & Date: Crossway,
2000
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6
and up, 1st and up
Picture Book: Because I Love You
Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Mitchell Heinze
Summary: The setting is a wonderful village, built by Shaddai, for the children he loves and knows completely. Around the village, Shaddai builds a tall wall to protect the children
from the dangers beyond. When young Paladin finds a hole, he reports it
to Shaddai who compels Paladin to stay where he is safe, adding, “If you
leave, you will not find the way back.” Shaddai explains that the hole is
necessary. Shaddai wants them to “stay because they want to, not because
they have to.” Still Paladin squirms through the hole, wondering what Shaddai is
keeping from him. The wilderness doesn’t seem dangerous until Paladin realizes
that the hole has disappeared. In desperation, he yells over the wall,
apologizing and pleading for Shaddai to come help him. Shaddai is already on his
way to rescue Paladin.
Hanna’s Comments: This is
a story with and open ending, hopeful but not settled. Encourage your
children to offer an ending. Then find some modern examples of dangers that
faith families hope their children will not explore. Talk in age appropriate
ways how these dangers can seem tempting and enticing, but they offer
consequences that can be detrimental to their quality of life and relationships with the Holy.
Idea(s) for Application: Read
this book to a confirmation class when considering theological issues of temptation,
confession, and forgiveness.
Original Publisher & Date: Crossway,
1999
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6
and up, 1st and up
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