Paul's Letters

This unique book by a Caldecott-winning author-illustrator offers key messages from each of Paul's letters found in the Bible.

Picture Book: Paul Writes (a letter)

Author/Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Summary: Presented in the order found in the New Testament, some central ideas from these significant documents of early church history are presented, 1 book per double-page spread. They are beautifully rendered with water-color brushstrokes. Crucial words are emphasized with a larger red font. Colorful maps showing Paul’s travels are on the end pages. 

The text begins with an introduction explaining that Paul was

“a faithful and learned man... who began to believe in the story of the life and teachings of Jesus.”

Here are images of the 2 pages about Romans: 

At the end of the book, Raschka explains that Paul was “killed by his jailers with a sword.” He goes on to explain that a sword and book are historic symbols for Paul who changed the world by writing to his friends. 

Hanna’s Comments: I think there is too much information here to read in a traditional way. I would focus on no more than 3 of Paul’s books at a time. You might want to choose those books that get the least attention, such as Philemon, Titus, and the 2 Thessalonians. The author does give Paul credit for writing Hebrews. BUT he notes that “some biblical scholars doubt that Paul wrote Hebrews.” Raschka explains that he chose to summarize those verses in Hebrews that sounded like Paul. 

Original Publisher: Eerdmans Books, 2018

Age Appropriateness: 6 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Specific scripture references are at the bottom of each page.

PBT Applications: Consider this a future PBT Grab & Go book! Little prep would be required. I don’t think preschoolers would find this book interesting, but there's rich potential for older church groups, even if you only show 1 double-page spread to discuss and build on. Consider having your participants build on this picture book experience by contemplating a letter they might want to be their legacy. These letters could be to their church or to someone else.  

Here are images of the 2 pages about Philippians:

 

 

Boasting and Arrogance

Picture Book: Anton and the Battle

Author & Illustrator: Ole Konnecke

Summary: This book is about 2 boys, Anton and Luke, so the title is puzzling. But it does begin with Anton having a song in his heart. 

Then he meets Luke who has on a different sort of hat. 

Luke begins the boasting with a declaration of strength. 

Anton responds with his own declaration. That's when cleverly, the author/artist portrays the boys' imaginative claims as line drawings 

to demonstrate the ridiculousness of their boasts.

This begins a continual one-upmanship that eventually goes beyond strength to loudness

violence to each other, 

and violence to fierce animals. 

It gets a bit bloody in their heads. 

Despite their declarations of courage, a small puppy frightens both. 

For only a moment, they are in the same position, 

afraid and unsure what to do. 

But old habits die hard. 

As they brag about how much they can eat and drink, the dog wanders away.  

They head for home, but the dog returns. Boasts of speed end the story.

Hanna’s Comments: I was teaching a lesson to some elementary children yesterday at my church. I had set up a situation in which the children were to throw a paper ball into a box after answering a question or telling a story. One of the boys asked how you win. That’s what this book is about, our inclination to compare, boast, and compete. If like me you believe these inclinations are contrary to the scriptures, then this book is a great choice for you. Look below at a sampling of scriptures from across the Bible that address arrogance and boasting. These desires or so in grained in my American culture (I suspect in many others), that a cooperative game seems unusual, even at church. Lord have mercy on us all! Don't assume this is a book just for kids. Adults in your faith family would benefit from a discussion of these issues too, parents especially for the kids are watching and listening for models of godly behavior.  

Original Publisher & Date: Gecko Press, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Besides any scripture about humility, especially Jesus' words, consider...They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. (Psalm 94:4); Let another person praise you, not your own mouth (Proverbs 27:2); …let not the mighty man boast in his might (Jeremiah 9:23); What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7); If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30); Boasting in your arrogance is evil (James 4:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of any age and explore your culture’s inclination to boast, compare, and compete, Then consider how these values contrast with biblical imperatives. 

Fruit of the Spirit Series: List & PBT Links

Find below a general book about Galatians 5:22-23, 3-4 books for each Fruit of the Spirit with a question to help you explore these, and a couple of books about a particular fruit or fruit in general. Find links to those PBT posts in the titles.  

I’ve changed the order of the Fruits. I end the list with Love, Kindness, Goodness, & Faithfulness because conceptually they overlap. Conceptual overlapping is also true for Gentleness and Self-Control. 

Twice below I refer to a PBT series called 12 Theological Statements for Young Children which is a workshop I do for church-based preschool events. 

Paul's collection of positive and godly behaviors are traits we can all aspire to. Make this learning enjoyable and more meaningful to children (and their parents) in your faith family with these books:

Fruits of the Spirit (general- Ask: Where do you see these fruits in your faith family?)

Maybe God is Like That Too by Grant & Schipper

JOY  (Ask: How is joy shown in different ways by different characters?)

Yes Day! by Rosenthal & Lichtenheld (also a great secular book for Easter.)

Lola Loves Stories by McQuinn & Beardshaw

Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke & Tobia

#12 Theological Statement for Young Children: God wants to be worshiped.

PEACE (Ask: How does peace change you and others in the moment?)

Peace, Baby! By Ashman & Lew-Vriethoff

The Peace Book by Parr  

A Little Peace by Kerley     

PATIENCE (Ask: What does having no patience look like?)

Albert by Napoli & LaMarche (Too long? Tell the story & show the pictures.) 

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Stead & Stead

Owl Moon by Yolen & Schoenherr

GENTLENESS (Ask: How does gentleness help others and you?)

Be Gentle by Miller

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Graham

You Will Be My Friend! by Brown (an opposite of gentleness offers humor and redemption)

SELF-CONTROL (Ask: How does self-control help everyone including you?)

Katie Loves the Kittens and its sequel by Himmelman

More by Springman & Lies

Wild Feelings by Milgrim

#5 Theological Statement for Young Children: God gave you feelings. They’re not good or bad. What matters is how you act on your feelings.

LOVE (Ask: What does love look like here? Feel like here? Sound like here?)

The Invisible String by Karst & Stevenson

I Will Love You Anyway by Inkpen & Inkpen

Love is… by Adams & Keane 

Love by La Pena & Long (dark situations here, consider using paper clips to skip pages)     

KINDNESS (Ask: What kinds of hard choices are being made here?)

The Kindness Quilt by Wallace

Miss Maple’s Seeds by Wheeler

Be Kind by Miller 

GOODNESS (Some translations call this COMPASSION. Ask: What makes these characters’ behaviors good?)

Bear Feels Sick by Wilson & Chapman (This book is about servanthood.)

What Baby Wants by Root & Bartow (This book is about empathy.)

One Winter’s Day by Butler & Macnaughton (This book is about generosity.)

FAITHFULNESS (Ask: Who do you know that is faithful?)

The Carrot Seed by Krauss & Johnson (This books connects with being faithful to God. The other books are about being faithful to other people.)

I Promise by McPhail

Mama Always Comes Home by Wilson & Dyer

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Stead & Stead

Two Bonus Books about fruit:

Little Apple Goat by Church

An Orange In January by Aston & Maren

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Here’s another newly published book that directly relates to one of The Fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians. This story mostly takes place in a classroom so elementary age children will especially relate and see ways they can become more kind.

Picture Book: Be Kind

Author: Pat Zietlow

Illustrator: Jen Hill

Summary: This story begins with Tanisha's accident.

Then the unnamed narrator's words of compassion are misunderstood. 

Empathy for Tanisha builds thanks to the illustrator. The narrator struggles with what to do. 

She paints a purple picture for Tanisha but is afraid she will hurt her again so she imaginatively explores what kindness looks like.

She considers spilling her own juice, just to be more helpful. 

What is it to be kind? Cookies for a neighbor? 

Passing on some outgrown shoes?

Helping at home? 

Caring for the class pet? 

Perhaps just paying attention to her classmates with affirmation 

or invitation. 

Listening can even be an act of kindness, especially when you've heard the stories before. 

She believes being kind should be easily done throughout the day. 

And her mom suggests that using someone's name is especially kind. 

Kindness sometimes requires a lot of patience. 

The hardest (and scariest) of kindnesses is sticking up for a friend. Now, back to Tanisha. 

She decides that she can't solve Tanisha's problem (such great insight!), but she can offer her gift knowing that Tanisha likes purple too. 

Then her insight becomes broader. She realizes that her small gesture can grow just as she imagines how a kindness to a grandmother 

spreads to a granddaughter and then to a granddaughter's friend. 

Kindness can spread throughout her community, 

her country, 

and her whole world 

while still helping Tanisha experience kindness 

and helping her learn to be kind again and again. 

Hanna’s Comments: This is a great PBT book for lots of reasons. The narrator is authentically exploring ways to be kind. She is a wonderful model for that growing edge of spiritual formation. Be Kind offers so many relevant situations in which children can directly see kindness put into action. Many examples are tucked into the illustrations so point those out. Also, this book captures how simple acts of kindness can grow and positively affect a whole community in time. Lastly, this book highlights the spiritual practice of imagination. In just a few moments at her art desk, this narrator has some amazing insight. You might want to do this with your kiddos. Consider offering new scenarios of potential kindness to your children after reading the book, but be sure to address (as this book does) when kindness is hard. Be Kind could be read to adults if you quickly translate the situations into adult contexts. Surely adults need to be talking about kindness, particularly in such politically divided and uncivil times.

Original Publisher & Date: Roaring Brook Press, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: In addition to The Fruit of the Spirit verses in Galatians 5:22-23…One who is kind is benefited (Proverbs 11:17); She opens her mouth with wisdom; the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Proverbs 31:26); Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4); Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32); Put on then… compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…(Colossians 3:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to group of elementary-aged children and help them see ways they can build their kindness skills and why this is pleasing to God.