A Tribute to Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Two bad things happened on Sunday. I learned via [this] amazing article that my favorite picture book author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, is dying, hence a PBT tribute. Later, I fell and broke my elbow. The two don’t compare at all, but I did want to tell you to expect a lot of repeated posts on PBT while I’m healing. I wish AKR was healing too.

Please pray for Amy, her family, and friends. Her life and her writing are full of joy and hope. We need her and her work so much right now. And consider purchasing some of her books, including her two unusual and very funny memoirs for adults. [Here’s] her Amazon page. It’s no wonder I chose the following book to lament our losing her. At the end, I list AKR’s PBT books so far (there will be many more) and dates (links) to those posts. 

Picture Book: It’s Not Fair

Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

Summary: In clever rhyming verse, children, 

animals, 

even planets 

and aliens 

complain about life’s injustices. The familiar refrain involves everything from turns 

to teams, 

objects 

to illness,   

to work. 

These injustices start early 

and are even inside books

and about books. 

Ridiculous? Yes, and very true.

Hanna’s Comments: One of the benefits of PBT is making "God talk" more meaningful by connecting it to the real-life situations found in picture books. Everyone knows that children complain, “It’s not fair!” Adults may not say those words so often, but we think them. Offer this book as a conversation starter; then explore how faith informs times of unfairness. Laugh at this book’s silly situations, but also talk about hard parts of life when it seems that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to those who don’t deserve them. 

Make sure your audience, young or old, doesn’t expect to always get answers. Your job is to help them realize that such answers don’t come easily and sometimes never come, but the questions are still valuable. Instead explore how faith offers mystery and comfort. I believe God is present with us in our protest, disappointment, and hurt. Being thankful for that relationship is fortifying. Talk about the importance of prayer, humility, and finding that which is good in all situations. You might even want to mention that one of the Ten Commandments is about not coveting. 

Original Publisher & Date: Harper Collins, 2008

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Do not covet (Exodus 20:17); All thing work together for good (Romans 8:28); rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12); God is love (1 John 4:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when there have been many complaints about fairness or when your church family is suffering due to loss or struggle. Connect to one of the scriptures above.

AKR PBT Books & Post Dates (links):

Yes Day!                       7/5/16

Spoon                            10/22/14

Christmas Cookies     12/5/16