PBT Stories #2: I’m going to be an artist!”

(In this post, enjoy a sampling of illustrations from PBT books.)

from Let There Be Light by Tutu & Tillman                  See post [here].

Friday’s PBT post was my 500^th! Did you know that there are nearly 600 books featured or mentioned here at PBT? The many words in the PBT search engine (at the bottom in the web version) allow you to find books easily just by clicking on a word that is a theme or issue you want to explore.

from The Three Questions by Muth            See post [here].

I began this work wanting to demonstrate to those in ministry the worth of hundreds of secular picture books that were easily and cheaply accessible in local libraries or on-line. I’m convinced that God has called me to help you offer meaningful programs to all in your faith family. Check out the tabs above for more about picture books, PBT, and my professional rationale as a nationally certified school psychologist.

from The Hugging Tree by Neimark & Wong            See post [here].

In celebration of my 501^st post, I’d like to tell you a quick story. Several years ago, our church welcomed into our faith family some urban children we did not know. These children attend Birmingham public schools where the arts program is sorely underfunded.

from Ada's Violin by Hood & Comfort             See post [here].

One of the first activities we did had the children painting a picture with tempera paint. As I interacted with the painting children, their delight was palpable. Suddenly, one young boy declared, “I’m going to be an artist!” I was struck by his hope and his confidence and sorry that most of his days in school would not develop his skills or enthusiasm about visual art. Neither would it expose him to the vast beauty of visual art.  

from My Two Blankets by Kobald & Blackwood    See post [here].

In a conversation about the importance of seeing beauty as spiritual sustenance, On Being host Krista Tippet, asked Celtic writer John O’Donohue about those who don’t have “beauty at hand.” O’Donohue replied:

“…an awful lot of urban planning, particularly in poor areas, has doubly impoverished the poor by the ugliness which surrounds them. And it’s understandable that it is so difficult to reach and sustain gentleness there.”

This thought offers more reasons why children, particularly inner city children in underfunded schools, should be exposed to picture books in ministry. Beautiful illustrations will feed them spiritually and counteract some of the ugliness that surrounds them and the deficits of their education.

from When Sophie Gets Angry - Really Really Angry by Bang   See post [here].

In these samples of illustrations from some favorite PBT picture books, can you see how their beauty would be a gift for a child? If such a book is paired with a conversation about the art and an opportunity to delve into a similar artistic experience, then the beauty will more likely take hold and sustain them spiritually.

from Bear Has a Story to Tell by Stead & Stead   See post [here].

While reading a picture book to a group of children, express your delight in the art. Point to some features. Be outwardly grateful to God for such beauty and skill in the artist. Claim the God-given talents that bring art forth, and help your children aspire towards their own expressions of beauty which would truly be Godly endeavors that could bless the whole world just as beautiful illustrations bless us all.  

from He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Nelson  See post [here].