As we approach the December holidays, I’ve decided to break
with PBT tradition and offer some sacred picture books along with my usual
secular stories. There are so many beautiful Christmas and Hanukkah books so on my
usual post days, Mondays and Fridays, I’ll briefly feature 2 books, a secular
first and then a sacred.
Picture Book: A Hat for
Mrs. Goldman: A Story about Knitting and Love
Author: Michelle Edwards
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Summary: Sophia’s neighbor, Mrs. Goldman, taught her how to
knit and regularly demonstrates the Jewish practice of mitzvah (doing a good deed) by knitting and giving hats. Sophia
enjoys making the pom-poms for these gifts. While walking with her neighbor on
a series of blustery days, Sophia worries that Mrs. Goldman has no hat for her
own keppie (head) so Sophia decides to remember her lessons and knit a hat for
Mrs. Goldman. Sophia struggles with the task but perseveres. Unhappy with the
result, she adds 20 pom-poms to cover her mistakes.
Mrs. Goldman gratefully exclaims that each pom-pom has been made with love.
Hanna’s Comments: Sometimes
a title tells me when I’ve found a PBT book! The loving generosity in this
title is on every page of this book. I also very much liked the cross-cultural interaction
of a Hispanic child (Sophia mentions her abuela) with a Jewish adult. The Jewish concept of
mitzvah is an idea all of us would be enriched to know. Sophie’s creative problem solving,
which I believe is a gift from God, is another aspect of this book that offers
you rich material for conversation and activities in your family or faith
community. A pattern for knitting the “Sophia hat” is in the back of this book.
Original Publisher & Date: Schwartz & Wade, 2016
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and
up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: Any scripture that
involves generosity to neighbor or patient perseverance through difficult work
would connect with this story.
In December, this story connects with religious practices of gift-giving and
compassion.
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group
of children who are learning about God-inspired good deeds or creative
problem-solving. Making pom-poms would be a fun activity to supplement this
book.
Picture Book: December
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Diaz
Summary: Simon and his mom live in a cardboard house on the
street. They have managed to create a simple Christmas tree and decorate with a
paper angel named December from a calendar. Christmas eve brings to their
makeshift door an elderly woman, poorer even than Simon and his mother. They
welcome her and give her a coat and food. Simon gives his guest his one cookie. Early Christmas morning, Simon is
awakened by the old woman’s exit. When he gets up to close the door, he sees December,
the Christmas angel instead of the old woman. She sings quietly to him as she
disappears. The next Christmas eve finds Simon in a much better
place. His mom has a job and they live in an apartment. Their decorations
are still meager; December still smiles down at them. Simon remembers.
Hanna’s Comments: Putting it simply, some Christmas picture books are joyous,
but others are about suffering. Some might call the second kind depressing or dark and avoid reading them to children. I propose that stories of suffering
harken back to the nativity. Jesus was poor and homeless. He and his parents were
refugees. Children were murdered. Many of your children know the darkness of these stories already. The
Christmas story is about hardship, emboldened by hope, and wrapped in love. All
good stories are. Usually children can handle dark stories if you consider the
age guidelines and are sensitive to who they are, how they will likely respond,
and their reactions as they listen. Giving parents fair warning is a good idea too. If themes of homelessness are too harsh for
your young audience, consider a similar story in Christmas Soup by Alice Faye Duncan (illustrator Phyllis Dooley).
Original Publisher & Date: Harcourt, 1997
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and
up, 1st and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Matthew 2:1-18; Luke
2:1-20
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group
of children who are learning and exploring the Nativity stories.
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