About Me

Hanna Schock, picture book lover here. I have many loves besides the passion you see here for picture books. My first love is for my family, my husband and best friend, Bill, my 2 young adult children, Julianna & Josiah, and our large extended family. Friends are also essential treasures of my abundant life. When I’m with those I love most, life is abundant indeed.

I have had the privilege of being raised and surrounded by the loving and grace-filled ways of United Methodists. Being a Christian is central to who I am and how I view the world, but for PBT, I hope to offer ideas that cross boundaries of denomination and even religion. We all want better sacred learning that will lead to better living. At PBT this happens by finding The Holy in The Ordinary.

My other important experiences that critically inform my work are my years as a mom, public & home school teacher, small group facilitator, curriculum writer/designer, and especially my training as a school psychologist. Crucial to my perspective is living in Birmingham, AL, where the scars of racism and the hopes of The Civil Rights Movement. For decades I have attended First United Methodist Church, where only 2 blocks away a bomb at 16th Street Baptist Church killed 4 young girls. For these reasons, you’ll see many books about acceptance, inclusion, peace, diversity, social justice, & civil rights all connected to scripture. 

I delight in considering how children and adults might best learn a particular concept and then offering ideas for various settings. At PBT, I’ll be demonstrating how secular pictures books might benefit congregations, classroom students, or kin. For more on how this happens, read my tab "About Using Picture Books for Theological Education." 

As you might have guessed, I’m an avid reader. I’m convinced that the world is a better place when people read stories. Besides picture books, I read mostly fiction and spiritual writing. My adult fiction interests are diverse and range from the gritty writing of Tana French and Kate Atkinson to Nora Roberts' Sci Fi series. My favorite is The Maisie Dobbs mystery series! There is much that is Holy in Maisie! You'll likely find books from these spiritual writers in my den: J. Philip Newell, Barbara Brown Taylor, Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Parker Palmer, Sue Monk Kidd, Richard Rohr, and Jan Richardson. Recently I have become a big fan of The Enneagram and the work of Suzanne Stabile. She has helped this 7 become more healthy, happy, and present in my spiritual journey.


In April of 2014, I embarked on a daring journey of posting a picture book a day for 365 days. I fervently believed that God wanted me to make this offering to you. I have expanded this work to workshop presentations and sacred lessons based on the best PBT books. Let's keep building The Kindom (sic) of God while finding The Sacred in The Ordinary in pages of profound, beautiful picture books. May you be blessed by my work. 

14 comments:

  1. This is so nice, Hanna! I am going to have to peruse through the website and checkout the picture book for the day, every day! love, Nancy Tapp

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just now getting my comments. I'm so glad you are checking it out everyday.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous5/01/2014

    Lovely idea, Hanna, and so well-executed. After this year, I hope you do a year for 8-10 year olds. All the best to you. Love, Pif

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm just now getting access to my comments, Pif. I'm so pleased the blog gets your approval. That means so much!

      Delete
  3. This website/blog is amazing. You've put so much thought into it. I pray as you do that those of other faiths will join you in making this site applicable to other faiths. It's such a rich resource. And I agree that these books can be used for all ages, it's the approach that changes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the delay in responding. I'm just now getting access to the comments. I'm so glad you think it is amazing. I'm loving doing the work. I too hope other faith traditions will start responding and giving me ideas. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. I do a Story Hour at my church one Saturday morning each month. I LOVE this and just wanted to say thank you for making this connection, too. I use quite a few secular books to make theological connections and the kids love it! Thank you so much! I blog, too - but nothing this awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry! I've not been getting my comments until now. I'm so glad you like the blog. I'd love to hear some of your suggestions for books to share.

      Delete
  5. Hanna, a great resource - thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the delay in responding. I'm just now getting access to the comments. Thanks for the encouragement! I hope you and those in your churches in WV will use it.

      Delete
  6. Hello Hannah, I have just discovered your blog, such a treasure trove that speaks to my spirit. Thank you! I would love to be in touch via FB or email, if you are willing. I am an American humanitarian worker in a coal-mining valley in Romania for 20 years, and in the past 5 years the founder of a children's library and a national early literacy movement: Reading Together Romania/Citim Impreuna Romania. We advocate for reading aloud daily to children from birth in a culture that has not typically practiced this. Of course the picture book is everything when it comes to reading aloud. I hope we might be in touch. For now, thank you so much for the books you've showcased: I'm currently creating a week-long book camp around Children's Rights for all ages, and I found some lovely recommendations here. Blessings to you and yours, Brandi Bates

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brandi, I got another comment here and am just now seeing this comment from 3 years ago! I am so sorry! At that time, I was caring for my 2 in-laws, writing my preschool curriculum, and posting at PBT so it's no wonder I missed it. I am no longer caring for them. My FIL died of COVID in 2020 and my MIL's needs have gone beyond what I can do. After corresponding with you just a few days ago, it seems godly that here you are again! Yes, let's be in touch! Do you correspond easiest via Facebook or WhatsApp? Or do you have another suggestion?

      Delete
  7. Hello! I have loved your work for SO many years! But, as I was looking through old postings I just noticed you mentioning your husband's Art Camps. Oh, my goodness. Is it possible to purchase his work?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Cindy! My husband does not have the curriculum in a distributable form. I'm sorry. I have a picture book & lectionary-based Sunday school curriculum for preschoolers that could be adapted for older children. I am doing a pilot program for that so it is sent free if I receive feedback. We could talk on the phone about it if you are interested. I assume you are in the USA. Thank you for your enthusiasm for and affirmation of PBT! That means a great deal to me. It is, I hope, a legacy of love that lasts a long time.

    ReplyDelete