BIG DEAL Anger

Picture Book: Come Home Angus

Author: Patrick Downs

Illustrator: Boris Kulikov

Summary: Kulikov's illustrations are crucial to the power of this story, even on the first page. 

Angus is a young child who wakes up with the kind of anger that is big, huge even. No reason is given for his anger. 

He responds badly to his “slow” dog, his “loud” canary & cat, and his mom who expects and apology.  

Great line here, “In this house, being angry doesn’t let you be rude.” 

After a verbal tug of war, Angus packs a full bag and heads out the door. His mother says, “I’ll miss you.” Angus replies, “No, you won’t.” 

As he walks away, his size diminishes while buildings grow so that eventually he is little, lost, and afraid. 

Angus sits on a bench and realizes he’s forgotten his lunch. 

Just as strangers surround him, his mom brings his lunch (and pets) and asks if he’s ready to come home. 

Is he ever!

Hanna’s Comments: This book reminds me of Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are and 2 PBT books by Molly Bang: When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry and her sequel When Sophie’s Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt. See a post about those last 2 [here]. What does this book have to offer ministry more than Bang’s books? First, you have a beautiful maternal image of God, God as provider & comforter and God as one who is expecting more from us than we offer. 

Secondly, you have a perfect visual representation of our human tendency to think we are big deals and shove God away. Daniel Erlander in his brilliant book for adults Manna and Mercy, calls sin “trying to become a BIG DEAL.” See more about this book and the children’s curriculum I’ve written based on it in Other Resources by Hanna, a tab above. It is when Angus realizes he is not such a big deal, that he becomes lost, afraid, and wanting his mom. 

Thirdly, Angus thinks all his “stuff” will comfort him, but it doesn’t. 

Instead, he needs his important relationships with his mom and his pets, all of whom love him unconditionally.

Original Publisher & Date: Orchard Books, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: In Your presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11); for me it is good to be near God, my refuge (Psalm 73:28); where shall I flee from Your presence (Psalm 139: 7); neither death nor life… shall separate us from the love of God… (Romans 8: 38-39)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children or adults and talk about these human inclinations: our tendency to separate from God although God is always present, our tendency to try to be BIG DEALS, or our tendency to be oriented to our “stuff” rather than our loving relationships. 

Microphones, Bullies, & Stinky Feet

The following 3 books are a series. Each is rich with potential conversations about what it means to be meek and yet self-determining, manipulated and then powerful, anxious and yet willing to trust joy. Through these 3 books, you’ll see Willow evolve in ways that are worth examining. It is likely that the children in your faith family are like Willow at times, struggling with the demands of school and their own uncertainty. Adults could learn a thing or two from Willow’s tenderness, courage, and determination.  

Picture Book: Willow’s Whispers

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In this introduction to Willow, we learn that she is very soft-spoken.

This causes some problems in her classroom because she is not able to communicate her desires. Eventually, she cleverly creates a microphone that helps. 

When the mike is accidentally crushed, she realizes her strength to speak so that she can be heard.

Hanna’s Comments: The reasons for Willow’s soft voice are not told to us here. Instead, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to be unheard and even unseen.

This situation can be applied to all sorts of individuals and groups, in school situations and in adult situations such as in the office, in faith contexts, or in situations of disenfranchisement. Think broadly and personally while getting to know Willow. Consider how your children’s faith might inform their responses to personal limitations and others who are left out.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  Put on then… compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12); Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:4)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family all about striving beyond personal limitations with determination and God’s creative problem-solving.

Picture Book: Willow Finds a Way

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In the 2nd book, Willow and her classmates struggle with a class bully. We glimpse Kristabelle in book 1. Here she comes to class with a party invitation list and threatens to mark off the name of anyone who doesn’t follow her demands. 

Eventually, Willow is the one who courageously marks her own name off of the list. Other classmates follow. Kristabelle is hurt and isolated until Willow goes to the back of the line to “stand with Kristabelle” who then apologizes. 

Kristabelle tears up the invitation list saying, “My party will be fantastic… if all of my friends will come… please.” 

Hanna’s Comments: This book is about hospitality and courage, 2 important subjects for children to explore with their faith families. The world is hurting right now because of bullies sowing division and good people on the sidelines feeling powerless to speak up in ways that are civil, courageous, and kind. Point out that Willow also stands with Kristabelle, when she is hurting, and that makes all the difference. 

Ground all of this behavior in the context of biblical principles so that your kids will feel more empowered to make a positive difference in their classrooms and their world. Teach your children well and perhaps their parents will learn from them.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to stand up to bullies and then be compassionate towards their hurting.

Picture Book: Willow’s Smile

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In book 3 Willow is anxious about picture day. Again, the reason is not given, but her anxiety is very real. 

Her teacher handles this beautifully by asking the photographer to allow Willow to be his assistant. As photos of her friends are taken amidst the shouts of the silly names such an occasion calls for, Willow is encouraged to help each friend smile. 

When it’s her turn, Willow doesn’t smile until her friends give her many reasons, including a shout of “Hey, Mrs. Tickle Toes!” At the group photo, Willow joins all her friends in saying “Stinky Feet!” with a smile.

Hanna’s Comments: My favorite point in this story is when Willow, without hesitation, gives a ribbon to her friend who forgot it was picture day. 

This is such a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes to Willow’s character and lack of vanity. Children need examples like this. Spend some time on just this little Willow moment, connecting it with scripture and your faith family’s values.   

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things… and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9); Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to let their community help when they are struggling with anxiety. 

Sandals, Blankets, Umbrellas, and Cartwheels

         

On January 15^th of this year, I offered 3 picture books about various refugee experiences. I just found a couple more jewels about this subject with wonderful possibilities for ministry. 

Four Feet, Two Sandals takes place entirely in a refugee camp. After 2 years with no shoes, 10-year-old Lina finds in a pile of donated items only 1 of a pair of perfect-fitting sandals. She is puzzled and disheartened, but then she sees across the crowd Feroza, an unknown girl her age who is holding the other sandal. They make eye contact, but Feroza walks away. Eventually they become friends and take turns wearing the pair. Their friendship progresses as they share what they have in common besides the sandals, particularly the loss of family members.

When Lina hears that she and her mother are to immigrate to America, she receives new shoes so she gives her one sandal to Feroza. As Lina is leaving, Feroza gives back the one sandal and suggests that the sandals serve as reminders of their friendship and the hope that they will “share again in America.”

You’ll find in the story this sentence: “As-salaam alaykum.” (Peace be with you.), which is commonly heard among Muslims who also worship the God of Abraham. My favorite scene is when the girls creep up to the school window where only the boys are inside learning. They begin practicing writing their names in the dirt. Lots to talk about here. 

This story is based on Khadra’s experiences with refugees in Pakistan near the border of Afghanistan. An author’s note in the back is a must read for better understanding of refugees and camps. 

It would be easy to just talk about the plot elements of this story and the next. Instead pull your conversation towards more foundational issues such as lack of basic needs in these camps, fear of violence, anxiety, and how vulnerability builds relationships.

Picture Book: Four Feet, Two Sandals

Author: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed

Illustrator: Doug Chayka

Original Publisher & Date: Erdman’s, 2007

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2^nd and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Today’s second PBT book about refugees is primarily about a later stage of immigration, becoming acclimated to a new home and culture. The young girl in this book is called Cartwheel. That was what she loved to do before she and her auntie left their war-torn home.

Everything is strange for Cartwheel, particularly the language, which seems like a waterfall of strange sounds and shapes. Look for this in the illustrations. Cartwheel often feels alone and not like herself. Kobald represents Cartwheel’s first language as an “old blanket’ of her own words and sounds. Adorned with familiar items, she wraps herself in the beautiful orange blanket when overwhelmed by all the changes and new words & sounds.

 A friendship begins when Cartwheel sees a smile and a wave from a girl her age who is playing at a distance in the park. At first Cartwheel shies away, but later trips to the park have her looking for the girl. Eventually they meet. 

Despite the barriers of language, Cartwheel begins learning her new language a few words at a time. These are visually represented by light-colored shapes that are later incorporated into a growing white blanket that Cartwheel expands block by block just as a language would grow concept by concept.

The girls enjoy each other and soon Cartwheel’s new blanket becomes comfortable, allowing her to feel like herself no matter which blanket she uses. Help your audience see the first blanket as perhaps real but also symbolic. Then they will better understand the growing size of the second blanket, symbolic of her new language and how Cartwheel integrates it into her first blanket.

Also, look for the umbrella and the boat in this story. These are powerful symbols that are not explained. Encourage your audience to consider possibilities. Don’t shy away from these kinds of abstractions. Much of spirituality is loaded with abstract and symbolic content. These books offer good practice for children and adults that might be inclined to take stories only at their surface level. Great picture books offer much richer experiences if you are willing to look and listen a little deeper. 

Picture Book: My Two Blankets

Author: Irena Kobald

Illustrator: Freya Blackwood

Original Publisher & Date: HMH, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

As described in my earlier post about refugees [here], these books remind us of our scriptural charge to “welcome the stranger.” Understanding the struggles of immigrants helps in that process. Another possibility for ministry is to connect these stories to Bible stories or Bible characters.

I can see how one or both of these books connects with the sharing of the loaves and fishes, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus immigrating to Egypt, Ruth and Naomi, Jonathan and David’s relationship, and even Jesus and the woman at the well. Don’t see the connections? Let me know in a comment and I’ll explain. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 237

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book:  I Love Hugs

Editor: Tasha Percy

Designer: Natalie Goodwin

Summary: ”We all love hugs, and lots of animals love hugs too!” begins this book which is full of photographs of and text about hugging animals. Also, there are a few interesting facts about each type of animal. My favorite photograph is the orangutan group hug. At the end you’ll see listed “3 Good Reasons for Hugging.”

Hanna’s Comments: Tomorrow look for another book in this PBT Dynamic Duo about hugs. Two important notes about this book: My best guess is that Scholastic has recently repackaged this book. I just purchased it from them, but what I found on Amazon seems to be the same book with a different cover. The photograph of 2 raccoons on the cover of the older book is inside this newer version. There is no author listed here so use the publisher name for a search if the editor’s name doesn’t work. Also, on Amazon there is a board book for toddlers with the same name by Lara Jones. I suspect I would recommend it, but my my local library system does not have it.

Publisher & Date of Publication: QEB/Scholastic, 2014

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, but Youtube.com has some videos of hugging animals that you might want to use for supplemental material.

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, animals, anxiety/worry, babies/children, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, caring/tending, comfort, communication, dependence/interdependence, emotions/feelings, encouragement, family, insecurity, love, nurturing, reassurance

Scripture Connections: Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth? (Job 35:11); the Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all he has made. (Psalm 145:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Children need lots of opportunities in their faith families to talk about all the various aspects of loving. A lesson on how some animals, mammals in particular, love each other would be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Be sure to remind them that our creator God designed those animals to be affectionate, interdependent, and loving creatures. Encourage them to think of ways animals might teach human beings how to love better. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 127

Picture Book: Chrysanthemum

Authors & Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Summary: When she is born, Chrysanthemum’s parents take great care in giving her a unique and perfect name, just like her. Chrysanthemum loves her name until she enters school and is teased because it is unusual, very long, and a flower. When she complains and confesses that “school is not for her,” her parents praise her name, saying “It’s everything you are. Absolutely perfect.” At school the teasing continues. She responds with worries and bad dreams. When they meet the new music teacher, they all adore her. The teacher overhears Chrysanthemum being taunted so the teacher explains that her name is also very long and she too is named after a flower, Delphinium. In fact, she is considering naming her new baby Chrysanthemum. Suddenly, the girls ask to be called flower names and Chrysanthemum beams, knowing her name is absolutely perfect.

Hanna’s Comments: Identity issues are a constant for children and some periods are particularly problematic such as when starting a new school. For many children, being a part of a loving religious community can help with these struggles. In these communities, they find identity in common, practices & stories that reinforce their identity, and a sense of being lovingly created by God. Use this story to reinforce your children’s unique value and while you are at it, talk about the hurtful consequences of teasing.    

Publisher & Date of Publication: Greenwillow Books, 1991

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Video, Audible, Audio cassette

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affirmation, anxiety/worry, beginnings/morning, belonging, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, depression/despair/sadness/sorry, differences, diversity, doubt, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, encouragement, identity/names, individuality/uniqueness, joy, judgment/judges/judging, loneliness, mentors/teachers, new school, nurturing, parents/parental love, pride, reassurance, reflection, renewal/restoration, respect, satisfaction, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem  

Scripture Connections: We are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27); I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139); before I formed you in the womb, I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5); let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth but only such as is good for building

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to talk to children about the evil of teasing and bullying and the long-term effects it can have on a person. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 55

Picture Book: Knuffle Bunny 

Author & Illustrator: Mo Willems

Summary: Trixie & her Knuffle Bunny go along with Daddy on an excursion to the laundromat. After Trixie helps load the washing machine and they head for home, she realizes that Knuffle Bunny is missing. But Trixie isn’t talking yet so screams are the best she can do. Daddy is flummoxed, then frustrated, then angry. Once home, Mommy quickly realizes the problem, and the whole family frantically retrace the route. Trixie is so relieved to find a newly washed Knuffle Bunny, that she says her first words. You guessed it! “Knuffle Bunny.”

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a hilarious book that even older kids & adults will enjoy it. It will offer an opportunity to talk about losing important things (or even relationships), the emotions surrounding those losses, and why they are important to us. For another faith connection to this book, check out the Storypath blog in my list of favorite sites to the right. They suggest this book is a reminder that we have faith rooted in a trust that God will hear us and respond to us even when we can't put our longings into words. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Hyperion, 2004 

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

# of Pages: 40 

Available in Spanish? Yes 

Formats other than Book: Audible

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

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anger, anxiety/worry, babies/children, baptism/washing, bonds/connections/connectedness, challenges, comfort, companionship, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, exile/separation, fathers, found, lost, mothers, noise/sounds/voice, nurturing, parents/parental love, renewal/restoration, searching, treasure, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8); Where your treasure is… (Luke 12:34), Lost sheep, coin, or son (Luke 15)

Idea(s) for Application: This book would be great as a part of a lesson on the "lost" parables in Luke 15 (see above).