Here's another PBT God book, the sequel to Old Turtle, featured in Friday's post. Another book in this series will be highlighted on Friday. Enjoy!
Picture Book: Old Turtle and the Broken Truth
Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Summary: In this sequel to Old Turtle, a “truth” falls from the sky but breaks apart. Animals find 1 piece but drop it after realizing it’s a half-truth. Later, a man finds it and reads “You are loved,” an incomplete message. He assumes this truth is especially for him and keeps it with pride, sharing it with his tribe. They treasure the affirming message and soon have little compassion for Earth and its other inhabitants who begin to suffer in the wake of such pride. Other people begin to war over the half-truth and suffering grows. A brave girl finds Old Turtle, the wisdom character in the previous book, who explains that the found truth is only a broken truth and the world needs the missing part. This mending will happen when all know that “every being is important, and the world was made for each of us.” Old Turtle gives her the missing half. Upon her return, she brings together the 2 pieces and see the whole truth: “You are loved...and so are they.”
Hanna’s Comments: This is a long and wordy tale, but it beautifully offers further reflection on humanity’s place on Earth and our limited understanding of the value of other inhabitants, the love of God that we all share, and how we can all live more peacefully. Whenever you offer such a tale, be sure to connect it to real situations and find the instruction in the experience. Don’t settle for simple enjoyment. Make it meaningful.
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2003
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet, dramatic versions on Youtube
Scripture Connections: The story of Jonah (Jonah 1-4); you shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free (John 8:32); God is love (1 John 4:8b)
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Summary: In this sequel to Old Turtle, a “truth” falls from the sky but breaks apart. Animals find 1 piece but drop it after realizing it’s a half-truth. Later, a man finds it and reads “You are loved,” an incomplete message. He assumes this truth is especially for him and keeps it with pride, sharing it with his tribe. They treasure the affirming message and soon have little compassion for Earth and its other inhabitants who begin to suffer in the wake of such pride. Other people begin to war over the half-truth and suffering grows. A brave girl finds Old Turtle, the wisdom character in the previous book, who explains that the found truth is only a broken truth and the world needs the missing part. This mending will happen when all know that “every being is important, and the world was made for each of us.” Old Turtle gives her the missing half. Upon her return, she brings together the 2 pieces and see the whole truth: “You are loved...and so are they.”
Hanna’s Comments: This is a long and wordy tale, but it beautifully offers further reflection on humanity’s place on Earth and our limited understanding of the value of other inhabitants, the love of God that we all share, and how we can all live more peacefully. Whenever you offer such a tale, be sure to connect it to real situations and find the instruction in the experience. Don’t settle for simple enjoyment. Make it meaningful.
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2003
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet, dramatic versions on Youtube
Scripture Connections: The story of Jonah (Jonah 1-4); you shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free (John 8:32); God is love (1 John 4:8b)
Idea(s) for
Application: With the
examples on Youtube, a youth group or older elementary group could also offer
dramatic re-tellings of this book and its prequel. Additionally, simply read or
tell this story to a group of children or adults who are talking about truth,
wisdom, or God's intention for humanity's relationships with other Earth
inhabitants.
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