Illustration from Koala Lou by Mim Fox
The 6th PBT theological statement for young children is: God/Jesus loves you
and wants you to love yourself and others.
Illustration from Hug by Jex Alborough
It is
important when you make these PBT theological statements that you are authentic so use the word (God or Jesus), whichever most feels right.
Illustration from Bear and Bunny by Daniel Pinkwater and Will Hillenbrand
This statement is all about love, a common subject for wonderful
picture books. Below I list some of the best that I’ve already featured here at
PBT.
Illustration from Hug by Jex Alborough
Today I also offer a few new picture books that you’ll be glad to
know so that you can emphasize to young children how much God loves them and
wants them to love themselves and others.
Illustration from Love is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark
All children of God, (that’s
everyone!) need to hear these messages over and over throughout their lives.
Illustration from Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
Be sure to refer to the examples of loving behavior in these
stories to make concrete connections with how God/Jesus loves you
and wants you to love yourself and others.
My first offering is a PBT Dynamic Duo. It is about the blossoming
of a loving relationship that begins with secret gift-giving between 2 animals.
The sequel has
the pair still devoted to each other and
wanting to spread their love by getting a pet. They share some confusion about
what might be the right pet: a pine cone? a caterpillar?
After some trial,
error, and power napping, the perfect pet for this couple is found and more
loving ensues. More books might follow.
Picture Book: Bear in Love
Author: Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick,
2012
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2
and up, Toddler and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Picture Book: Bear and Bunny
Author: Daniel Pinkwater
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick,
2015
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2
and up, Toddler and up
Formats other than Book: None
at present
Next,
young children will adore Plum, a wonderful pooch inspired by the author’s own
pet, who delights in all the favorite things her loving family gives her.
Best
of all, when Plum can’t help being naughty, her family still loves her. This
book would supplement lessons on love and grace.
There is an earlier book, Plumdog, but it was not available to me
via the library so I can’t recommend it outright. Read more about the actual
Plum at Plumdog Blog: http://emmachichesterclark.blogspot.com/.
Picture Book: Love is My Favorite Thing
Author & Illustrator:
Emma Chichester Clark
Original Publisher & Date: Nancy
Paulsen Books, 2015
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3
and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
The last
offering is hilarious! Your kids will love the suspense and irony of this book about a monster named Leonardo.
Despite his past failures, Leonardo is determined to be scary
monster so he looks for the perfect potential victim.
After giving his best
scare to Sam, a meek-looking boy, Sam’s tears flow.
When Sam explains that his
tears are for all sorts of reasons none of which have anything to do with the
scare, Leonardo responds with compassion and, you guessed it, love. Instead of
being a terrible monster, Leonardo chooses to be “a wonderful friend.”
Their
relationship develops beautifully, despite Leonardo’s occasional attempts (with some success)
to scare Sam
Picture Book: Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Author & Illustrator:
Mo Willems
Original Publisher & Date: Hyperion,
2005
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3
and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Audible
Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:
Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You - 1/11/16
Love
is a Handful of Honey - 4/10/15
A Sick Day for Amos McGee - 4/28/14
Do Unto Otters - 10/25/14
Hug - 12/13/14
You are My Sunshine - 3/19/15
Toot & Puddle: You Are My Sunshine - 3/18/15
Say Hello! - 12/19/14
Be Gentle - 2/10/15
This Little Light of Mine - 4/27/14
Koala Lou - 10/28/14
Miss Maple’s Seeds - 5/27/14
Ten Things I Love About You - 7/29/14
Nest - 8/11/14
You’re All My Favorites - 10/27/14
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