From the Front Porch

Picture Book: Homer

Author & Illustrator: Elisha Cooper

Summary: Homer is sitting on the front porch, looking toward the beach. He’s considering what to do today as family members pass on the way to the beach.

Chase his fellow dogs around the yard? No

Go exploring with his girl? No

Walk on the beach? No  

Swim or go to the market? No

Instead he watches his family delight in their day.

As all return, they greet Homer, who is still on the front porch, and tell them of their experiences. 

He is glad to hear and see the results. When asked if he needs anything, 

Homer realizes he has everything he wants right there. 

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful book is about an old dog who is an integral part of his family. 

Despite the limits of his body and his inclinations, he is happy gazing at his family’s fun at the beach and being surrounded by them as they enjoy the afternoon. At end of day inside, Homer finds the busyness of a loving family 

and a way to again be in the midst of them. 

The book ends with gratitude for having such a loving family and lovely place in the world. It is no coincidence that the word home is in Homer's name. As I read this book, I couldn’t help but think of those in my church who are less able to do the meaningful church activities of their past. Instead, they encourage those of us who are more able to go and do, and they pray for our success and well-being. I am very grateful for them and see this book as a way to encourage children and adults to offer appropriate inclusion, hear their stories, and consider their ministry needs.

Original Publisher & Date: Greenwillow Books, 2012

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man (Leviticus 19:32); do not cast me off in the time of old age… (Psalm 71:9); when you serve the least you serve Jesus (Matthew 25); Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him (1 Timothy 5:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults in your faith family who are planning a particular ministry for their senior adults or shut-ins.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 304

Picture Book: Mr. George Baker

Author: Amy Hest

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: From the point of view of a young child who is learning to read, this beautiful story draws connections between the young narrator and his 100 year old neighbor. Both characters greet the day with rituals on George’s porch as they wait for the school bus to take them to school, where both of them are learning to read and agree, “reading is hard”. The narrator is especially proud that Mr. George Baker always sits with him on the bus. Mr. George Baker is a famous drummer whose fingers still go tappidy on this knees, but he never learned to read before now. “That must be corrected,” says George. This intergenerational relationship is both compelling and heartwarming.

Hanna’s Comments: It is always beneficial for children to hear that learning is a life-long pursuit. This books offers the added benefit of having a character who has regrets about his lack of education and is motivated to overcome his learning deficits, despite his age. Perseverance despite many years and a difficult task, seems to be a theme here. No doubt George is an inspiration to the young narrator. The morning rituals encourage and even stronger relationship. As I read this book, I thought of Abraham and Sarah in the Hebrew Scriptures who were open to new learning and God’s desires for them. Despite their age, God had plans for Abraham and Sarah, as I suspect God would have for any one like Mr. George Baker who never gives up on their inclination to learn and grow intellectually and spiritually, even when it’s hard.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2004

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, affection, aging, ancestors/patriarchs/matriarchs, aspirations/dreams, bonds/connections, change, commitment, community, differences, difficulties, education/learning/school, encouragement, friends/friendship, gentleness/meekness, gifts/talents, goodness, grace, hope, kindness, neighbors, perseverance, race relations/racism, relationships, transformation, unity

Scripture Connections: The story of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this picture book to a group of children who are learning about the perseverance, even at their old ages, of Abraham and Sarah. OR 

Read this story when talking to children about the importance of building relationships and finding connections across generations in their families and their community of faith.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 260

Terrific Trio: Book 3

Picture Book: Forget Me Not

Author: Nancy Van Laan

Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin

Summary: This story is from the point of view of Julia, a granddaughter whose grandmother is changing. She is becoming more and more forgetful and this troubles Julia. When Grandma’s odd behavior becomes too risky, Julia is told that she has “a sickness” and Grandma is transitioned to a care facility. Although Julia doesn’t like the loss of Grandma’s home, a home which means so much to her, she begins to understand that the move is necessary. Julia plans to fill Grandma’s room come spring with forget-me-nots, a favorite flower.

Hanna’s Comments: This last book in this PBT Terrific Trio about declining mental capacity in elderly matriarchs is more detailed as to the gradual deterioration of the aging character’s mental capacity and the child’s reaction. Choose wisely among these books while considering the experiences and maturity of the children in your audience. I believe all of three books are written with appropriate sensitivity. My hope is that using one or more of these books will encourage conversations about a subject that affects many families but is not discussed and is too often a point of shame.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, aging, bonds/connections, change, death/loss/grief, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, endings, flowers/leaves/trees, family, grandparents, home, illness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, mental illness, new home/relocation, patience

Scripture Connections: Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12); grandchildren are the crown of the aged (Proverbs 17:6); I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children or youth in your faith community who are beginning a mission project for the elderly, particularly if it involves time at a care facility with an Alzheimer’s unit.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 259

Terrific Trio: Book 2

Picture Book: The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins

Author: Lester Laminack

Illustrator: Constance R. Bergum

Summary: Confined to a wheelchair in a nursing home, Miss Olivia Wiggins can’t speak anymore, but she can remember. An attendant rolls her over to a window so that she can watch a beautiful sunset. Then Miss Olivia begins remembering sunsets of her past. This verse is repeated throughout the story: “All the while Miss Olivia just sat facing the window. Her hands still and folded in her lap. She didn’t move, she didn’t even blink, but slowly, quietly she began to think…” Then an important memory is described. When her daughter, Angel, and great-grandson, Troy, visit, they speak to her lovingly about shared memories which leads Miss Olivia to remember milestones such as Angel’s birth and the first time she held Troy. Eventually the visit must end and Miss Olivia is taken to dinner. The story ends with Troy’s belief that his Mama Olivia does remember even though there is no proof. Troy is comforted to know that he will visit her again and help her remember more memories.  

Hanna’s Comments: This is a second offering of a PBT Terrific Trio of books about responding to declining elderly family members. In both books you have boys lovingly interacting with matriarchs. As you read this book, invite young listeners to look for the toy horse which is in many of the illustrations and consider why the author offered this thread. After the reading, engage your audience in conversation about their aging family members and how they can attend to them with visits and conversation. You could also talk about the importance of memories and how they ground us and give us identity. Tie these ideas to the important memories of your faith community, including those that are recent and those that are scriptural.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Peachtree Publishers, 1998

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aging, attentiveness/observation/seeing, change, death/loss/grief, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, grandparents, family, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, milestones, mothers, vision

Scripture Connections: Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12); stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man (Leviticus 19:32); that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation (Esther 9:28); don’t rebuke an older man but encourage him (1 Timothy 5:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to a group of children or youth in your faith community who are about to visit a nursing home. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 258

Terrific Trio: Book 1

Picture Book: Getting to Know Ruben Plotnik

Author: Roz Rosenbluth

Illustrator: Maurie J. Manning

Summary: According to David the narrator, Ruben Plotnik (upside down on the cover) is the coolest kid in class, very funny, and very smart. David is pleased that Ruben wants to come to his house, but then he remembers his unpredictable Grandma Rosie who lives with him. Sometimes she remembers his name, but sometimes she calls him “little boy” and asks him to waltz with her. David always complies, but he’s not sure how Ruben Plotnik will react. David’s real fear is that Ruben will witness something strange and then make fun of her to their classmates. Once at their home, Ruben’s silly behavior, including sitting in their sink, does catch Grandma’s eye, and she asks him to waltz. Ruben accepts her invitation without hesitation and seems to enjoy the dancing. Fortunately, there is no mention of David’s grandma at school. At the end of the book, Grandma Rosie asks for “the little boy from the sink.” David understands. You get the sense that David will invite Ruben to his house again for both he and his grandma to enjoy.  

Hanna’s Comments: This first book in a PBT Terrific Trio about responding to the changing abilities of elderly family members, is silly in tone, but it could prompt a very serious conversation about changes in your children's families because of aging or disease such as Alzheimer’s. Honor and care of the elderly, especially if they are our ancestors, is an important mandate in our Holy Scriptures. Talk to the children in your faith community about why this is important and how rewarding it can be to hold fast to cross-generational connections, especially their connections with their kin.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Flashlight Press, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, aging, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, authenticity, dance/dancing, dependence/interdependence, family, friends/friendship, God’s will, grandparents, presence, respect, tolerance

Scripture Connections: Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12); stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man (Leviticus 19:32); do not cast me off in the time of old age (Psalm 71:9); don’t rebuke an older man but encourage him (1 Timothy 5:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children in your faith community when talking about the biblical mandate to honor and care for elders. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 199

Picture Book: Bear and Bird

Author: James Skofield

Illustrator: Jennifer Thermes

Summary: Bear finds young Bird on the ground after Bird’s flying mishap. Their relationship blossoms despite their differences in age, species, and lifestyle. They become constant companions, helping each other search for food and stay safe. However, during the winters when Bird must migrate and Bear must hibernate, they separate and look forward to their reunion. One spring, Bear doesn’t reappear, but his grandchild does. The grandchild explains that Bear has probably died. Fortunately, stories of Bird are well-known among Bear’s family and a new relationship begins.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a story of cross-generational love and family legacies. Despite significant differences, this relationship lasts until Bear’s death. Then the effects of the relationship continue for younger generations. I suspect you can think of some relationships in your faith community that have some connections with this story. Note: There is another children’s picture book with the same name.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Sleeping Bear Press, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh Off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, affection, aging, bonds/connections, change, chosen, commitment, companionship, cooperation, death/loss/grief, dependence/interdependence, differences, exile/separation/walls, found, friends/friendship, grandparents, helping, heritage, kindness, legacies, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, nurturing, openness, presence, protecting/protection, safety, time/timing/over time

Scripture Connections: Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 19:19 - 2 Kings 2:18)

Idea(s) for Application: I admit connecting Elijah’s and Elisha’s relationship with this book may be viewed as a stretch. When I read it, I was struck with the older Bear's empowering and then befriending Bird. Once Bear dies, his grandchild seems to take up the “mantle” of friendship with Bird. Rather than focusing on the violence or prophetic nature of the OT relationship, with children focus instead on the idea of taking up a mantle. To me, this concept means to take on a new responsibility or a new role that is given to you from a higher authority.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 147

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs

Author & Illustrator: Tomie dePaola

Summary: Tomie dePaola explains in the up-dated version of this classic that he had the privilege of living near several grandparents and one great-grandmother. In this true story, Tommy regularly visits his grandmother, who is always found downstairs in the kitchen, and his great-grandmother who is found upstairs in bed because she is 94. Great-grandmother has to be tied in when she wants to sit in her chair so Tommy asks for the same. That’s where she shares her candy and stories of “the little people.” After Nana Upstairs’ death, Tommy visits the house and runs upstairs. Until he sees her empty bed, he can’t comprehend her absence. A falling star is a comfort to him. Nana Downstairs becomes just Nana. After many years, she too becomes bedridden and then dies. Soon after her death, Tommy sees another falling star and thinks, “Now you are both Nana Upstairs.”  

Hanna’s Comments: I like this book especially because it treats the issue of death of an elderly family member so beautifully and tenderly captures the sorrow and loss of these experiences. For those of us in faith communities in which belief in eternal life is comfort, this book would be especially valuable for children who have lost a senior family member or elderly person in your religious community. Like its PBT Dynamic Duo partner from yesterday, this story emphasizes strong connections across generations and the power of ritual.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1973

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Classic, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, aging, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, bonds/connections, caring/tending, change, dependence/interdependence, death/loss/grief, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, family, grandparents, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, moon/space/stars/sun, parables/stories, stories, unity

Scripture Connections: Timothy’s faith that dwelt first in his grandmother then his mother (2 Timothy 1:5)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson on Timothy and how Paul reminds Timothy of his great faith legacy from his grandmother and mother. Ask the children about the faith values and rituals they received from their grandparents. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 146

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: Now One Foot, Now the Other

Author & Illustrator: Tomie dePaola

Summary: “Now One Foot, Now the Other,” is heard repeatedly as grandfather and best friend, Bob, teaches Little Bobby to walk. As Bobby grows, their play includes block building and stories. Bobby especially likes hearing the story of how Bob taught him to walk. Soon after Bobby turns 5, Bob gets very sick and is in the hospital for months. Bob is very changed. He can’t talk or move, and he doesn’t seem to remember Bobby. Bobby begins pulling out the blocks, and Bob smiles. This encourages Bobby to continue interacting with Bob in familiar ways. Slowly, progress is made so that Bob begins asking Bobby for a story. Then Bobby gets to return the favor by teaching Bob how to walk again. “Now One Foot, Now the Other.” Later, one of Bob’s favorite stories becomes how Little Bobby taught him to walk.

Hanna’s Comments: Today’s and tomorrow’s PBT offerings are by Tomie dePaola who is well known for using his own experience as a child to create his wonderful picture books. This is a poignant story of inter-generational love, rituals, and the power of storytelling in families. Long-term illness in families is very commonplace, but too often children are separated from the process of illness and rehabilitation. This story reveals the power of gently including even young children into these situations so that relationships can continue and evolve. In our faith communities, inter-generational activities are priceless and strengthen bonds across the community for years and years.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, aging, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, bonds/connections, caring/tending, change, dependence/interdependence, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, family, grandparents, growing up/growth, helping, healing/healthcare, kindness, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, parables/stories, partners/team work, patience, servant hood/servant/serving, stories, unity

Scripture Connections: Don’t cast me off in old age or forsake me not when my strength is spent (Psalm 71:9); Grandchildren are the crown of the aged (Proverbs 17:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson on the concept of rituals. Explain that even after Bob had died, Bobby would remember him through memories and the rituals he might continue with his children and even grandchildren. Talk about your faith community’s traditions, particularly worship rituals and how they have been passed down across generations. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 134

Picture Book: Miss Fannie’s Hat

Authors: Jan Karon

Illustrator: Toni Goffe

Summary: Miss Fannie loves 2 things especially, her collection of beautiful Sunday morning hats and her church. She reads the Bible each morning and often thinks of her favorite verse: ”With God all things are possible.” She lives with her daughter who lovingly cares for her. When Miss Fannie’s minister asks her to donate a hat for the church’s auction, she asks the Lord to help her choose which hat to donate. As she wanders around her hats, she remembers stories about each one. Her most favorite hat is the one of pink straw with silk roses which she has worn every Easter morning for 35 years, a ritual the whole congregation expects. Reluctantly she decides to donate this hat because it will bring the most money. Her hat is purchased for a substantial amount which goes towards the church renovations. On Easter morning, she decides to wear no hat because her other hats just won’t do. When she arrives at the church, she is surprised to find a tribute to her generosity; the church has been trimmed in rose bushes with pink flowers so that it looks like her Easter hat.  

Hanna’s Comments: Inspired by the author’s grandmother, this is a story of meaningful sacrifice and legacy. There are many aspects of this picture book that I love: Miss Fannie’s devotion to God and her church, her fellow congregants’ enthusiasm for her Sunday hats and generous contribution, her reliance on scripture to guide her, and the way Miss Fannie’s daughter gently cares for her. There is much potential here for both children and adult programming, particularly women.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Augsburg, 1998

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aging, choices/decisions, church building/the Temple, clothes/shoes, collections, commitment, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, disobedience/obedience, faith/faithfulness, flowers/leaves/trees, generosity/giving/offering, stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, holiness, joy, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, mothers, pleasing God/the Shema, possessions, righteousness, Sabbath, sacrifice, satisfaction, strength/strength in God, surprise

Scripture Connections: Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5); Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary (Psalm 150:1); With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26); offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this story during a season of stewardship regarding your faith community and its places of worship/learning so that you may encourage others to sacrifice and leave legacies for the future of their religious community. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 111

Picture Book: Badger’s Parting Gifts

Author & Illustrator: Susan Varley

Summary: Elderly Badger dies early in the pages of this thoughtful book. The text says that he is not afraid and has even warned his friends that soon he will be going “down the long tunnel.” Then he dies in his sleep. The next few pages are comprised of his grieving friends, other woodland creatures, who individually reminisce about what Badger taught them. Badger has served as a confidant and adviser to them. These conversations about Badger’s legacies seem to help the community better cope with Badger’s absence and living life without him.

Hanna’s Comments: Badger’s death is handled very delicately in this tenderhearted book. You might want to give young children a warning because the death does come suddenly. The focus here is clearly on the lessons and knowledge that Badger left behind. Clearly the message is that we live beyond our deaths through the memories and kindnesses that we leave behind. Talking about these gifts, offers a kind of healing. This would be a wonderful book for adults as well as children who are grieving a loved one.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 1992

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not on Amazon.com at this time, several other translations were available.

Formats other than Book: Video

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, aging, brokenness, comfort, community, companionship, death/loss/grief, dependence/interdependence, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, dying, endings, encouragement, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, goodness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, helping, healing/healthcare, leadership/servant leadership, loneliness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, mentors/teachers, milestones, neighbors, neighborhood, power, presence, relationships, servant hood/service/serving, sharing, treasure  

Scripture Connections: Every good & perfect gift is from above (James 1:17); as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book after the death of a much-loved & wise matriarch or patriarch of a family, religious school, or faith community. Then discuss the gifts the deceased has left behind in your community.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 110

Picture Book: Grandpa Green

Author & Illustrator: Lane Smith

Summary: This exquisite picture book is a celebration of a life in topiary. Important events in the life of the narrator’s Great-Grandfather, aka Grandpa Green, are creatively rendered with sculptured gardening. The milestones (and sculptures) begin with Grandpa Green’s birth on a farm. He gets the Chicken Pox (a child’s face of leaves with berries for spots!), steals a kiss, goes to war, marries a French waitress, and “had kids, way more grandkids, and a great-grandkid like me.” Now aged and forgetful, Grandpa Green continues to nurture the topiaries with help from the narrator whose pride in Grandpa Green’s artistry never waivers, not even when searching for Grandpa Green’s hat among the leaves.

Hanna’s Comments: I couldn’t help but think of Father Abraham as I read this beautiful book. God promises Abraham that he will be a blessing to his countless generations just as Grandpa Green has blessed his descendants.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Roaring Book Press, 2011

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audible, Amateur videos on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Award Winner (Caldecott Honor), Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, aging, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, art, call/calling/vocation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, gifts/giftedness/talents, grandparents, growing up/growth, individuality/uniqueness, life, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, milestones, passion, purpose, vision

Scripture Connections: All the nations shall be blessed in Abraham (Genesis 18:18); God promises to multiply Abraham’s offspring as the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children when talking about Abraham and his many descendants.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 103

Picture Book: Song and Dance Man

Author: Karen Ackerman

Illustrator: Stephen Gammell

Summary: Grandpa is a former Vaudeville showman. Whenever his grandchildren visit, he takes them up to the attic and pulls out treasured items such as his tap shoes, bowler hat, gold-tipped cane, and trick scarf so that the ritual entertainment can commence. Grandpa transforms into a song and dance man! His grandchildren are lovingly captivated as he dances, sings, does magic, and tells jokes.

Hanna’s Comments: I’m enthusiastic about this book because of the grandchildren’s obvious love for their grandfather. He has ritualized his legacy to them so that they not only honor it, but revel in it. His devoted investment in their understanding of his story and talents has resulted in the grandchildren’s supreme pride and joy in their grandfather. In a sense, he lovingly offers his life’s work as a gift to them each time they visit.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Dragonfly Books, 1989

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio CD, Amateur videos on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Award Winner (Caldecott Medal), Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, aging, ancestors/patriarch & matriarchs, art, awe, babies/children, beauty, call/calling/vocation, choir/music/singing/songs, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, dance/dancing, family, gifts/giftedness/talents, gladness/happiness, grace, grandparents, Holy Spirit, identity/names, individuality/uniqueness, joy, labor/work, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, passion, presence, purpose, renewal/restoration, satisfaction, transformation

Scripture Connections: Miriam’s dancing (Exodus 15:20); May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace (Romans 15:13)    

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a perfect book to read to children on Grandparent’s Day. In a religious setting, tie in the gifts received from your matriarchs & patriarchs in scripture or your religious community.