PBT Stories #5: Bear Has a Story to Tell

Yesterday I taught my adult Sunday school class. I brought the book featured below from the PBT archives. I chose it because a hibernation period is in the plot. This is a great metaphor to explore as we approach Lent, the liturgical season in which we remember Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.

 

First, I explained that it would be a lesson with no discussion until the end because I wanted the quiet for better reflection. Then I simply asked my friends to hear and see the book while thinking of themselves as Bear. Once my reading was finished, I asked them to get comfortable while I asked various questions for reflection. Many questions flipped the paradigm: Does Bear remind you of a friend who needed to tell a story but you wouldn't listen? How is Bear like God? Where is the Holy Trinity in this story? After about 5 minutes of these questions, something interesting happened.

My friend Elizabeth interrupted and asked for a sheet of paper. I had none. Then she said she needed to see the questions and asked if she could write them on the board. I said of course and invited folks to help us think again of the questions (I did not have them in my notes). The result is photographed at the end of this post. Her interruption made for a better lesson and was a reminder to me that I should always consider different learning styles. My hope for quiet reflection had given me tunnel vision. Thanks to my friend, the lesson was a great success. We could have talked about this great picture book with no hesitation for another half hour.

Picture Book: Bear Has a Story to Tell

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. Stead

Summary: This book begins, “It was almost winter, and Bear was getting sleepy.” Bear has a story to tell before he hibernates so he approaches each of his animal friends and asks, “Would you like to hear a story?” 

Each animal is unavailable or busy preparing for winter. Bear helps them with their tasks. Then each animal friend scurries away or to sleep before hearing Bear’s story. Bear hibernates. At the onset of spring, Bear greets each of his friends and asks again if they would like to hear a story. 

At last, they are ready, but Bear can’t remember his story. With his friends encouraging the narrative, Bear begins as this book begins: “It was almost winter, and Bear was getting sleepy.”

Hanna’s Comments: At first reading, my interpretation of this book was that Bear forgets his original story because he no longer needs to tell it. Time and helping others has allowed him turn loose of that story; a kind of healing of his need to be heard has taken place. Instead, Bear tells the story of how he patiently set aside his need to be heard and helped his friends prepare for winter. 

Now I see so many other possibilities for theological or spiritual reflection and connection. This is truly a rich story especially if you're nearing Lent, a liturgical season remembering Jesus 40 days in the wilderness. The hibernation of Bear and his friends is an easy connection. This Author/Illustrator duo has another book here at PBT. It is a treasure as well and was featured [here] at PBT on Day 9.

Original Publisher & Date: Roaring Book Press, 2012 

Age & Grade Appropriateness:  2 and up, Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: Audible  

Scripture Connections:  scriptures about waiting or time apart; Jesus in the wilderness; Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42); scriptures about the importance of telling your story

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a lesson on the spiritual practice of listening or how evangelism should be as much about listening as telling. OR Read this book before Lent to encourage folks to take time away to grow spiritually or heal.

PBT Stories #3: Mira and the Big Story

Picture Book: Mira and the Big Story

Author: Laura Alary

Illustrator: Sue Todd

Summary: Mira’s village is in a valley, one of two on either side of a river. 

The two sets of villagers are enemies because of differing origin stories. One involves the King of Heaven and some enormous birds. 

Across the river, their story is of the Queen of the Earth and giant turtles. 

As each village celebrates aspects of their beginning, the other complains:

That is not how the story goes!

This is our valley.

It was a gift to us.

We belong here.

There is no room for the Others.   

Although they’re enemies, curious Mira often watches the other villagers from a tree. Sometimes she sneaks across the river and is struck by the familiarity. While on the other side, Mira gets hurts. 

Immediately, a boy greets her and helps her back to her side. He has been watching Mira and commends her for having the courage to cross over. Before crossing back home, he says he wishes they would meet again. 

Confused, Mira visits Old Alfred, who is wise and kind and willing to hear her big question: “Are the stories wrong?” 

Old Alfred explains that stories can make you bigger or smaller, depending on how much space they take up in your mind and heart. That determines whether there is room for new stories, new people, and new ideas. 

Then he says, “There will never be peace in this valley until the people in both villages find a story big enough for all of them.” Old Alfred offers Mira such a story. 

All matter began small, the size of a chestnut. With the light of pure energy, stars were made. Stars exploded and became the source of everything, including their valley, river, and two villages. 

Now, they are all neighbors, with the same origin. Old Alfred explains that his story is big enough to allow for Mira’s curiosity and the boy’s open-hearted kindness. 

Such a story allows Mira to look forward to sharing the big story with the boy and other children and grownups who might cross the river with her.

Hanna’s Comments: Recently I read this wonderful book to my adult Sunday school class. They loved the story and the woodcut illustrations. After reading, I simply asked them to find connections to our church’s 6 priorities:

Practicing Hospitality

Embodying Diversity

Doing Justice

Encouraging Authenticity

Creating an Inclusive Community

Embracing Tough Questions

Each priority is grounded in scripture. More about that can be found [here]. Laura Alary is a Canadian writer whose other books I highly recommend. They can be found on her website [here] or at Amazon [here]. PBT was privileged to have Laura write a guest post in which she talked about the inspiration for her books. It’s a great read! Check it out [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Skinner House Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Check out the link above of my church’s priorities; …and so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-37)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or adults when exploring the concept of truth, the value of diverse perspectives, or the importance of being neighborly.  

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].

PBT Stories Series #1: My North Star

Meet Stickeen from the picture book named after him. See details below. 

This is the first of a new PBT Series about stories that have inspired PBT or happened during a PBT lesson. Today I’m going to share the story of how I knew I was supposed to do this work, work I do for you so please show your gratitude by buying me a picture book via a PayPal donation. A typical picture book is $15.  I would love to own more picture books though maybe not as many as Elizabeth Brown whose story I feature [here].

From The Library by Stewart & Small

In 2013-14 I was part of The Academy for Spiritual Formation, an Upper Room program in which about 50 people spend 40 days together over 2 years. It is a program I highly recommend. Learn more about it [here]. Participants are asked to do a 2^nd year service project. I wanted to do something that began a vocational journey using my training as a school psychologist, involving my passion for spirituality, and helping to build the church, though not quite like the mother in this great picture book posted about [here].

I had often mentioned secular picture books to our children’s minister when she asked me about programming ideas so I wondered if there was an untapped treasure for ministry in secular books. I knew of many books that offered potential, but I wasn’t sure how prevalent they were. She had asked me to teach a lesson on friendship and the story of Ruth and Naomi so I decided to give my idea a little test. I went to my library of picture books (relatively small then), thought about Ruth and Naomi’s friendship, and considered each book. I saw a little potential in about 10 of them.

I read 8 books or so and saw no promise, but then I picked up Stickeen. I was startled by a particular sentence which I have in bold below where I offer my initial post. These words directly correspond to Ruth’s words to Naomi, “But Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go;’” (Ruth 1:16). Oh, the goose bumps! The spiritual kind that reminds me that God is in every moment! Suddenly my lesson was planned and 3 days later it was very successful. The beauty of the illustrations in Stickeen even added to the spirituality of the lesson. Often illustrations make PBT lessons even more meaningful and memorable.

First I had the 3^rd & 4^th graders act out the Bible story once I gave them the context. As they moved through the room, we talked about the characters' feelings. Then I sat them in a close circle, reminded them how in school they find connections between stories, and asked them to do just that as I read the picture book. They easily saw the verbal connection and many more. They really enjoyed the story, especially our urban children who had never heard such a story or seen such glorious places. 

Then we talked about how friends are devoted and helpful and tied those ideas to our relationship with God and the relationship between Muir and Stickeen.

Easy peasy! Offering such meaningful connections and rich learning is the heart of PBT. I makes sense that a book about a dog in the arctic could be my north star! I’ve been following it ever since. Here's my initial post.

Picture Book: Stickeen 

Author: John Muir, as retold by Donnell Rubay 
Illustrator: Christopher Canyon 
Summary: John Muir, one of America’s great explorers and environmentalists, tells the story of an arctic adventure he had with a companion's dog, Stickeen, who was determined to go out exploring with him on a treacherous day. By the end of the excursion, both are glad to be together. Muir loved telling this story.
Hanna’s Comments: This book is the perfect example of secular literature connecting with scripture. In the story, John Muir says of Stickeen as he shouts for the dog to go back to camp, “He simply stood in the wind, drenched and blinking as if to say, ‘Where you go, I will go.’” These are words Ruth says to Naomi in the book of Ruth. There are several publications of Muir’s story, so choose this version for the direct connection to Ruth. Additionally, it is a great story of exploration, survival, and the bonds between humans and dogs. 
Publisher & Date of Publication: Dawn Pubris, 1998 
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1st and up 
Formats other than Book: None at present 
Scripture Connections: Ruth 1 (particularly vs. 16) 
Idea(s) for Application: I recently used this book for a Sunday School lesson on Ruth & Naomi. It was so easy to plan, and the kids loved it. We simply acted out the Bible story. Then I read Stickeen while the children interrupted me with the connections they heard.