Holding On to Grandparents

With gratitude practices as favored health regimens, Thanksgiving plans upon some (sorry I'm too late for countries who had Thanksgiving already), and legacies of our saints remembered in early November, this book seems perfect to feature. Meaningful rituals, issues of memory, a grateful orientation, profound joy, and loving grandparent legacies (think Lois mentioned in 2nd Timothy 1:2) are obvious scripture connections!

Picture Book: Holding On

Author: Sophia N. Lee

Illustrator: Isabel Roxas

Summary: This book begins: There is always singing in Lola’s house. From the point of view of a granddaughter with her grandmother only in summer, this book celebrates the pure love that skips a generation. 

Within sentences describing grandmother fun are profound statements of deeply meaningful love held with ritual. Lola tells her granddaughter: 

If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs.

The granddaughter explains how her grandmother holds on. Tokens from her childhood are treasured. Outgrown clothing is transformed into quilts. Photographs and framed childish drawings are dusted. 

The narrator holds on to all that her grandmother has taught her and “carries it in her heart.” Their loving rituals include singing, listening to music, dancing, cooking special recipes, even playing the lotto. Stories of her grandfather Lolo and the narrator’s infant ways are ritually shared too. 

When Lola no longer remembers some things, the granddaughter sings for her. She explains: 

It is my way of letting her know that’s it's okay if she doesn’t remember sometimes. I’ll remember for her.

Hanna’s Comments: Oh, how I wish I had grandmother memories like these! My sister is such a grandmother to my children. She tells me, “There is no love like grandmother love!” These lessons ground children with love of course, but also identity and meaning. They can be soothing in childhood and offer inner strength in adulthood. Encourage children who don’t have grandmothers in their lives to think about people who are invested in them unconditionally. Hopefully, they will think of people in their church family.

Original Publisher: Antheum, 2022

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about generational rituals or beliefs such as 2^nd Timothy 1:5 where Paul affirms the legacy of sincere faith from Timothy’s grandmother Lois. And there is Proverbs 22:6 which instructs us to train a child in ways that will not be lost when they are old.

More generally, this story connects to scriptures about gratitude, joy, and grandparents. Because so many Psalms were initially sung with sincere faith and with great joy, they too connect with this book and could lead to a powerful conversation about music and other worship rituals that are reminders of grandparents’ faith.

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: This book is listed in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum in Year C (theme: Faith from Family) on a week which lists the 2^nd Timothy scripture mentioned above.

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of parents of young children. Help them identify the gifts and values their parents are passing or would want to pass on to future generations. Consider asking participants to bring a treasured item from an ancestor that symbolizes a particular legacy of faith from family.  

OR

Read it to a group of young children and ask them to draw or dramatize the ways their grandparents (or others in your church) show love.

If you are interested in learning more about Trinity Treasures, a scripture based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you agree to fill out the monthly feedback form.

Sacred Places x 2

The picture books below are unusual for PBT. Typically, I connect secular books to scriptures or spiritual ideas derived from texts in the Old or New Testaments. The books below are about sacred places in a variety of religious contexts. They are both beautiful and informative and therefore worth exploring for possible applications in ministry settings and classrooms where various religions can be freely discussed.

Picture Book: Sacred Places

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: David Shannon

Summary: Fortunately, this book begins with a simple map of the world for locating each of the 12 religious sites (some ancient, some both ancient and still in use). 

Additionally, you'll find an introductory painting and poem that introduces the idea of a sacred place. A similar poem ends the book. 

What follows is a series of groups of 3: a painting of a sacred site/practice, a poem, and a symbol specific to that religion. Here are some of my favorite paintings: The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, 

Stonehenge,  

Ganga (Ganges River) in India, 

a representative image for all cathedrals, 

and Four Corners in the United States, 

Hanna’s Comments: If you’re not interested in the poetry aligned with each illustration, that’s fine. Here the images are what’s provocative. Make sure your audience can see the illustrations easily. For a richer learning experience, consider pairing some images with photographs that may be easily accessed on the internet. An appendix gives a nice summary for each sacred place. 

Original Publisher & Date: Harcourt, 1996

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3rd and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You’ll find 1 image of The Wailing Wall and 1 image for Christian cathedrals (both above).

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults in a small group and explore their understanding of what defines a sacred versus a secular place. Be sure to encourage them to share their own experiences with these and other sacred places.

Picture Book: Sacred Places

Author: Philemon Sturges

Illustrator: Giles Laroche

Summary: A Note to the Reader begins this book. It lists 3 questions people throughout history have asked:

Where did I come from?

How should I live my life?

What happens to me when I die?

You'll find cut-paper illustrations of 28 places inspired by the faith of 5 of the world’s most prevalent religions (3 from the Abrahamic tradition, Hinduism, and Buddhism). There's a caption that gives dates and explains specific religious practices for each site. Additionally, there is larger text for reading aloud. The cover image above is of  Shore Temple in India. The image below is of Chartres Cathedral in France. 

My favorites illustrations? Great Mosque (Niger), 

The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel (France), 

Sokkuram Grotto Shrine (Korea),

the Kaaba (Saudi Arabia), 

and Concord Baptist Church (United States).

Hanna’s Comments: These images are busier and less ethereal, but the variety of places is nice. Unfortunately, sacred sites on the continents of South America and Australia are not included. I love the ending that says, “some sacred places aren’t made by people at all.” 

It closes with a map and legend to mark all 28 sites.

Original Publisher & Date: Putnam & Sons, 2000
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You’ll find several sites inspired by the Old or New Testaments.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to explore the spiritual practice of pilgrimage, the Celtic concept of thin places, and/or the questions, “What makes a place sacred?” and “When have you felt a sense of awe because of a place?" Be sure to allow time for personal storytelling.  

PBT Grab & Go #8 - Nova's Ark

Here's the latest book in my Grab & Go series. These are repeated posts about books that lend themselves to a super easy lesson because their content directly relates to biblical traditions or spiritual ideas.

Picture Book: Nova’s Ark 

Author & Illustrator: David Kirk

Summary: While playing with his family’s ancient treasure, a wooden ark and a set of wooden animals, Nova, a robot boy, misses his father who is on a space mission. Later, he accidentally rockets himself to a new planet (Nova is an engineering genius!) and uses his amazing talents to invent new mechanical animals to keep him company. After being reunited with his father who is injured, Nova & each animal sacrifice a component of their mechanics to save his father. Eventually father & son discover on this new planet the energy source that their planet desperately needs.

Hanna’s Comments: There is a great deal to talk about in this story. Encourage discussion among older listeners about connections between this tale and the biblical ark story. Ask about why this old story has various versions in cultures and media. What message does the old story (and this new one derived from images of that old story) have for us today? Younger listeners will simply enjoy the story and help you find connections to Genesis.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1999

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children, youth, or adults to explore the power and themes from the biblical story of Noah’s ark.

A More Scientific Creation Story

Picture Book: Older Than the Stars

Author: Karen C. Fox

Illustrator: Nancy Davis

Summary: Written similar to The House That Jack Built, an old cumulative rhyme, the phrasing in the central text of this picture book repeats and builds rhythmically. Below I give the entire cumulative rhyme. On each page there is a more detailed section of text to help with understanding. That's what I'm mostly summarizing here. The key idea in this beautiful picture book is that every one of us (every bit of us) was created in The Big Bang. 

Billions of years ago, our universe began very small, but immediately it began expanding “like the fastest growing bubble ever.”

Small bits called protons, neutrons, and electrons began buzzing about “like a bunch of bees.” 

Once the bits started “bumping into each other” and forming atoms, the building blocks of our universe were being formed.  

Helium and hydrogen were formed first so giant gas clouds (“puffs”) spun from those building blocks to make stars. 

These stars eventually died and formed supernovas, exploding to further distances and allowing their atoms to form new metals along with new stars. 

As one particular cloud “flattened out like a giant plate” our star was born. 

Other stuff began to collide “in dusty clumps,” becoming planets. 

Over time on our planet, atoms came together to form tiny living creatures which evolved to be bigger and more complex. 

These plants and animals were all made from that same atomic stuff and when those living things died their stuff was released to provide for future life on our planet. About 600,000 years ago the human animal appeared. Then humans had children again and again. 

"You are one of these children, descended from the first humans," perhaps from the same atoms that "formed stars long ago and far away."

Here's the ending cumulative rhyme:
These are the people just like you

Who live with the plants and animals, too,

That grow on the planet green and blue

That circles the sun, our daily view,

That was born from the dust, so old and new,

Thrown from the blast intense enough

To hurl the atoms so strong and tough

That formed in the star of red-hot stuff

That burst from the gas in a giant puff

That spun from the blocks

That formed from the bits

That were born in the bang

When the world began.

Hanna’s Comments: I offer this book to those in ministry who would like to have a more scientific framework to approach the concept of creation and Genesis chapters 1 and 2. I learned to appreciate those poems all the more after viewing Rob Bell’s video Everything is Spiritual. He did a 2nd version of this presentation in 2016 that is also on Youtube, but it was the 1^st version which I found so amazing. Check it out [here]. Thanks to the concrete phrasing in this picture book (see several quotes above), the incredibly complicated phenomenon of The Big Bang as the origin of our universe is understandable to children and adults like me who are not scientifically inclined. If you are looking for a book about evolution that is for young children, I highly recommend Grandmother Fish: A Child’s First Book of Evolution by Tweet & Lewis. [Here’s] the Amazon link. It also has very accessible information in the back to help you understand evolution at a level more complicated than the text of the story. 

Original Publisher & Date: Charlesbridge, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Genesis 1 & 2

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when wanting to pair a more scientific approach to creation with the poetry of Genesis 1 and 2.

Two Picture Books of Abraham and Sarah: Stories Crucial to Our Faith Heritage

Picture Book: Abraham’s Search for God

Author: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrator: Natascia Ugliano

Summary: Beautifully presented, this is the story of Abram's (later Abraham’s) certainty that there is something greater than the many idols of clay and stone in his culture. Even as a boy, he questions the assumptions and ways of his elders. A lover of the outdoors, Abram spends one evening absorbed by the beauty of the moon, but when the sun replaces it in the skies, he believes the sun to be the ruler of all. Clouds, thunder, a rainbow, and the sun again come and replace the object of Abram’s worship. After each change, Abram believes dominance is being demonstrated. Eventually he realizes that there is something greater and more beautiful than all of these, a great power that is the force behind these changes. That great power is the one true God whose evidence is everywhere. From then on Abram worships the one true God.

Hanna’s Comments: The last line of this book summarizes why this story is so important to all in the Abrahamic tradition: “Today, we remember Abraham as the father of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” Explain further this last line to children who are unaware of the connections between these 3 great religions. If age appropriate, spend some time talking about the conflicts these traditions still have with each other and consider how God might view these struggles. Abraham’s story continues in the other book featured below. Additionally, this author/illustrator duo has at least 2 more books in this series: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet and Miriam in the Desert. 

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Kar-Ben, 2007

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

# of Pages: 32 

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: God Book, Biography 

Scripture Connections: Genesis 12

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to children and explore the importance of Abraham to your faith heritage. Emphasize the worship of the one true God in contrast to the worship of idols of Abraham’s time and today’s idols.  

Picture Book: Sarah Laughs

Author: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrator: Natascia Ugliano

Summary: Beautiful Sarah’s laugh is said to make “the whole world clap hands with joy.” She marries Abraham, who did not pray to idols like others, instead, he prays to the invisible God. When Abraham tells Sarah he hears a voice saying they should move to a new place, she agrees. In Canaan, Abraham tells Sarah that God promised the land to their children. In a dream, God visits Abraham and tells him to count the stars for there will be that many children of their children. When he tells Sarah this, she dances but does not laugh for they have no children and she is old. As their prosperity increases so does Sarah’s sadness. Sarah encourages Abraham to take her servant Hagar as his wife. Hagar has a child, but Sarah is still not happy. When three strangers come, Sarah prepares a fine meal. When they tell of Sarah’s child to come within the year, Sarah declares that she and Abraham are too old. The baby does come despite Sarah’s age. She names him Isaac, meaning laughter and declares, “God has brought me laughter.”

Hanna’s Comments: Abraham’s continuing story is offered beautifully here through the perspective of Sarah. Too often the few stories of women in the Bible are not explored with children. Such perspectives are invaluable to young girls and to young boys. This author and illustrator offer 2 glorious books that easily allow you and your children the privilege of learning about these important spiritual ancestors. Be sure to connect their stories to modern questions and hopes while explaining their crucial importance in your faith heritage.   

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Kar-Ben, 2008

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: God Book, Biography 

Scripture Connections: Genesis 18 and 21

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are studying the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Hebrew Scriptures. Make connections to today’s faith struggles, personal and global.

The Importance of Memorial Rituals

It’s the weekend of Memorial Day here in the United States so below is a description of an extraordinary book I’ve been saving for this weekend.

Author Eve Bunting has a knack for writing just the right words to explain the importance of ritual, memorial rituals in particular for the purpose of this blog post. In addition to the picture book described below, I’ve featured several of her books in my Picture Book a Day for a Year list. Two of those are about memorial rituals: I Have an Olive Tree (Day 327 on March 12, 2015) and The Memory String (Day 100 on July 28, 2014).  

I encourage you to get your hands on these books or others which you can find by clicking on the words “memory” or “ritual” in the large list of green search words which is at the bottom of your screen if you are not in phone mode.

Consider planning a program for children, youth, or adults about the importance of remembering the stories, legacies, and sacrifices of significant persons in your faith history. Besides including scriptural or historical heroes, you might want to remember people who have been important in your local faith community. Their stories are worthy of being passed on too.   

Faith communities are a perfect place to engage in conversation about the importance of memorial rituals. There are rituals dating back to the early days of the Hebrew Scriptures. Many Old Testament stories have contexts grounded in remembering those who have died. Children, youth, and some adults, need not only guidance in how to respond during such a ritual, but they need explanations as well. If you can increase the understanding of the universal need for these rituals, their culturally diverse nature, and the respect that is due them all, then you are encouraging the development of more passionate human beings.

Picture Book: The Wall

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Ronald Himler

Summary: A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly called The Wall, in Washington D.C. As they search for the boy’s grandfather’s name, the father explains that he was his son’s age when his father died. The boy encounters a disabled vet, a group of students with their teacher, and another young boy whose grandfather is very much alive. The young protagonist responds to these encounters with questions, criticism, and jealousy. Illustrations include other mourners as well as a sample of the many mementos that are commonly left at The Wall. The father and son engage in several rituals common with this memorial including creating a rubbing of the name and leaving a photo of the boy. The book ends with the father explaining that the wall is a place of honor.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a powerful book for children because it offers very specific aspects of memorial rituals and gives some striking illustrations and historical context for one of the world’s most beautiful and unique war memorials. If you want to focus on this particular memorial in your program, then I suggest you supplement your planning with one of the children's biographies of Maya Lin, designer and architect of The Wall, or a more thorough, factual resource such as The Wall: Images and Offerings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial edited by Sal Lopes.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 1990

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio Cassette, video on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Pre 2K

Scripture Connections: Descriptions of rituals such as the Passover (Exodus 12:14 & Deuteronomy 16:12); the building of altars such as that built at Rachel’s grave (Genesis 35:19-20); the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28)

Idea(s) for Application: As described above, consider using this book to explore the importance of memorial rituals in your faith history and community.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 313

Picture Book: What a Family! A Fresh Look at Family Trees

Author & Illustrator: Rachel Isadora

Summary: Ollie navigates his family tree with Grandpa Max’s help. This book offers a unique way to help children understand a family tree and how various attributes are inherited. It represents one particular family and demonstrates how features such as freckles, hair texture, and skin color are passed on through generations and shown across generations. It also explains the difference between a first cousin and a first cousin once removed. To help with understanding Ollie’s family composition, the end papers offer the diagram of his family tree.

Hanna’s Comments: This book can serve as a fun entrance into conversations on the concept of genetic inheritance and blessing. The concept of “inheritance” doesn’t have to be limited to genetics. Consider talking about these words in ways that are connected to our Holy Scriptures. We have parables and stories that mention these concepts, and we have a rich inheritance from our biblical patriarchs and matriarchs. Even those who are unnamed in the scriptures have passed on a tradition of precepts, stories, and wisdom that benefit and orient us thousands of years later. Don’t forget to talk about the most valuable aspects of our inheritance: faith, hope, and the greatest of these… love. These are all a part of our inheritance/blessing. Then consider what the younger members of your family of faith are now gaining from your older generations. Perhaps there are observable attributes or passions that are shared. Certainly there will be beliefs and religious practices. All of these are a part of your community’s rich inheritance.

Publisher & Date of Publication: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006

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: Non-fiction, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, ancestors/patriarchs/matriarchs, babies/children, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, dependence/interdependence, differences, family, grandparents, heritage, identity/names, individuality/uniqueness, legacies, relationships, variety

Scripture Connections: Parables and stories that mention "blessing" or “inheritance” such as Jacob’s stealing Esau’s blessing (Genesis 26:34 - 27:38) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to your children in a homeschool or private school lesson when studying the science of inheritance/genetics. Expand this lesson to consider your children’s religious inheritance and blessings as described in my comments above.  

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.