PBT God Book #14

Here’s another favorite God Book from PBT’s archives. Most books here are secular, but I include God books because they might be difficult to know about or find. These books are about the general nature of God or our relationship with God. I could have put this book in the PBT Grab & Go series because there is so much intriguing text. Little prep would be necessary for a great lesson; a discussion will naturally follow.

Picture Book: I Wanted to Know All about God

Author: Virginia L. Kroll

Illustrator: Debra Reid Jenkins

Summary: This picture book is designed to encourage children to be attentive to how God’s creation might inform them about God's nature. Various questions and environmental contexts are offered. The sentences have a somewhat repeated pattern: I wanted to know if God… then I …. Here are two examples: 

I wanted to know if God likes music, then I heard a pond on a summer night.

I wanted to know what colors God likes. Then I met several children of other races.

Hanna’s Comments: Two strengths of this book are the diversity of the children and the variety of experiences depicted in the illustrations. A book like this could be interrupted at each double page spread with conversation about whether your audience members have had similar questions or experiences. Help them see how their experiences might give hints to God’s nature. You could end your time together by writing some new pages to the book with the same pattern of words. Talk about what the illustrations might show or have the children create some illustrations if you have time. If you want to share this book with adults but aren't sure how they will respond to having a picture book read to them, simply transfer the text to your notes and read it. BUT do give the author credit at some point during your lesson by showing or explaining that the text came from a book. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Eerdmans, 1994

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Elijah in the cave encountering God (1 Kings 19); The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23); Jesus’ "I am..." statements (John 6-15)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book before going on a nature walk with children. On the walk, invite them to reflect on how God's creation informs them of God’s nature.

PBT God Book #13 - Glory

Picture Book: Glory

Author: Nancy White
Illustrator: Debra Reid Jenkins
Summary: Glory be to God! Creation is celebrated as an enormous variety of creatures praise God in this beautiful book. How does a butterfly, frog, fish, turtle, or rooster praise God? God is praised when God’s creatures do what they are created to do, whether flying, wriggling, making a joyful noise, singing to God in silence.... In the case of the young costumed girl on these pages, praise involves pretending to be another of Earth’s marvelous creatures. Here’s a sample of the verse:
Glory be to God for friendly fur,
For wiggling nose and racing heart,
For twitching ears and throbbing purr,
Tails that stretch and tails that wag,
Tail buttons soft as cotton…
All creatures by their being praise their Creator’s name.

Hanna’s Comments: While reading this book to your audience, pause after each double page spread and encourage them to move their bodies, acting out the motions and voices of favorite animals on the pages. At the book's ending, together verbally praise God for the abundance and beauty we see in animal life. Get creative together and praise through writing a group poem. Talk about how animal characteristics serve their survival and how that is true for humans too. Surely God’s creative love is at work in these creatures and each of your listeners. Ask them for some examples of God's creative love in them - some passions and gifts they treasure or favorite aspects of their glorious bodies. Talk about how God can be praised at church, home, and nature throughout their lives.
Original Publisher & Date: Eerdman’s Books, 2001
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: Digital
Scripture Connections: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 29:2); let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6); for by God all things were created, in heaven and on Earth (Colossians 1:16)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about God’s creativity, human creativity, or the spiritual practice of praise.

PBT God Book #12

Picture Book: What Does the Sky Say?

Author: Nancy White Carlstrom

Illustrator: Tim Ladwig

Summary: “What does the sky say on a winter day when snow is falling and a mother is calling her little girl to dinner?” Thus begins this lovely book. The question is answered, “Remember. Go in and be fed and loved, but don’t forget to look out the window.” Other questions follow, asking what the sky says in different weather and seasons. Each time a possible answer is offered that encourages the young girl to embrace the joy and learning that each day can bring. Between the lines is a subtle message that God is the provider of these varied and beautiful sky messages.

Hanna’s Comments: This is what I call a contemplative book which encourages readers (children & adults) to attend to and consider the beauty and life-giving messages of God’s creation. God is not mentioned in this text, but the possibility of God as the creator of the skies and the encourager of the young girl's contemplation is throughout. The questions, tone, and affirming answers celebrate God’s presence and our potential to discern meaning and joy from what we may experience. You’ll find Psalm 19:1-4 (The heavens are telling the glory of God…) in the back of the book.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Eerdmans Books, 2001

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: In the beginning, God created the heavens (Genesis 1:1); when I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers (Psalm 8:3); the heavens are telling the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book at a church family retreat while you are gathered outside. If possible, have a couple of young girls dramatically represent the ideas in the book. Then encourage your audience to offer their own meanings to each kind of sky.

PBT Series: Picture Book Classics #3

Below I'm featuring again a favorite discovery during my first year of PBT. Because that year I posted about a book everyday, you don't get as many photos of illustrations, but all the usual content is here. This is a beautiful classic that I encourage you to read for yourself if you don't know it. It's central message is needed more than ever across ages and in sacred and secular communities.  

Picture Book: The Happy Owls

Author & Illustrator: Celestino Piatti  

Summary: A pair of owls lives happily all year long. Their neighbors, barnyard fowl, are constantly eating, drinking, and fighting. The preening peacock wants to know why the owls seem to always be content. The other birds suggest that he visit them and ask. When the peacock asks about their happiness, the owls suggest he bring all his feathered friends to hear how they can be so content. Once all the birds are together, the owls explain and demonstrate their attentiveness and joy at seasonal details of nature. These practices of attention and gratitude lead to their happiness. The owls find joy and revel in the beauty of each season. What is the response of the barnyard animals? “What nonsense!’ and “Do you call that happiness?”  Then they return to their farmyard life, unpersuaded and unchanged. In contrast, the two owls snuggle in for winter, looking into one another’s wise owl eyes.

Hanna’s Comments: My library system has only one copy of this book, a 1964 publication. However, this classic has been reissued and can be easily purchased on-line. The price varies a lot so you may want to watch it for a while. I did not know of this classic which was initially published in Switzerland. When I saw the video in the collection mentioned below, I knew it must be one of my PBT daily offerings. What a treasure! What a beautiful message of contentment as a result of attention and gratitude, what we would call “mindfulness” today. If you like old books and styles of art, then you’ll especially like this picture book. Find a blog post about it on The Art of Children's Picture Books, which I've added to My Blog List to the right.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Artemis Verlag, 1963

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

Formats other than Book: Audible, A video version is in the collection Corduroy & More Stories about Caring

Scripture Connections: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be thankful (Psalm 118:24); let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28)

Idea(s) for Application: Reverence is a difficult but important concept to teach children in a worshiping community. Use this book to help your children understand the benefits of being mindful of God’s generosity and reverent when worshiping.

PBT Redux #23 Images of God for Young Children

The following is a PBT post from 2017 in which I featured 1 of 3 books in a series originally published in French. In my next 2 posts, I'll show you the other books, one about The Psalms and one about animals of The Bible. All three books are structured similarly and offer an abundance of examples with short descriptions and beautiful illustrations. 

Picture Book: Images of God for Young Children

Author: Marie-Helene Delval

Illustrator: Barbara Nascimbeni

Summary: This book offers a collection of images of God that are found in the Old and New Testaments. The introductory page says that these images are ways to "discover God in our world." Aspects of God are explained in terms children will understand through visual, concrete images as well as abstract analogies. You'll find God described as a promise, a fortress, mercy, a king, a healer, peace, etc. Included are some intriguing questions to consider such as: “Why do some people fight in the name of God?” Simple explanations are offered that you may want to expand on.

Hanna’s Comments: Unlike most picture books, this book should not be completed in one sitting. Each entry should be savored. The 40 themes are so rich you could create a whole series of conversations or even lessons based on the variety of images for God given here.  Non-Christians could leave out the two entries referencing Jesus. Delval  wrote 2 other books in this series. Psalms for Children is comprised of paraphrases of some of The Psalms. Because they emphasize a range of human feelings, it would be a valuable book to read to children. Children will especially enjoy Animals of the Bible. It tells the stories surrounding some particular animals mentioned in The Bible such as the snake in Genesis, the lions in Daniel, and the lost sheep in Jesus' parable. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Erdmans, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This book connects with numerous scriptures depending on the image. 

Idea(s) for Application: Read small portions of this book to a child or group of children and engage them in conversation about particular images of God as found in the Bible.

PBT Redux #22 An Orange in January

I’m ending the PBT series on The Fruit of the Spirit with 3 re-posts. Here and on Friday I feature a secular book about fruit in general. Then I’ll re-post a sacred book about Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit. The book below is from the first year of PBT. To connect it to Galatians, have your audience consider the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit by finding a living metaphor for each of the stages in the orange's journey. 

Picture Book: An Orange in January

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Julie Maren

Summary: This is the story of one orange. It begins as a blossom in a land that glows with warm spring light. It ends across the world, in a young boy’s hands as he shares it with his school friends on a snowy playground. Across the distance, the orange offers its nectar to bees, ripens on a tree, and is picked and placed in a bag, then a basket, then a truck, then a grocery store, then a school lunchbox. At last, several children enjoy the sweet yummy goodness of the orange sections, even in January.

Hanna’s Comments: I am guilty of taking it for granted that an orange is available to me in the middle of winter. Use this book to help a young audience savor the beauty of an orange, appreciate the complexity of its route, and taste one of God’s great gifts. Talk about how an orange used to be a very rare treat and still is for many in our world who don’t have the means or accessibility to exotic or off-season foods. Mention the joy of sharing such delights and consider what other treats are worthy of further attention. Then relate these joys to savoring and praising God’s goodness in worship and all day long.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8); The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children while sharing sections of oranges. Talk about savoring God’s goodness and the importance of praise and gratitude to God. OR Consider the orange's journey as a metaphor for the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit.

PBT Redux #21 Waiting for Spring & Easter

Today I post again about a picture book that is perfect for children just before spring and during the season of Lent, the liturgical season before Easter. 

Picture Book: Waiting for Wings

Author & Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Summary: In clever verse, bold shapes, and interesting paper cuts, Lois Ehlert depicts the entire life cycle of 4 different kinds of butterflies. Beginning as tiny eggs hidden among the leaves of plants, these 4 creatures change form into caterpillars, build their cocoons, and become butterflies ready to lay eggs. This book may look simple (and sideways) from the cover, but the amount of information you'll find here is amazing! 

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book offers scientific concepts in an appealing context. Find in the back identifying tips for the 4 butterflies and the many flowers that star in this book, general butterfly information, and instructions on planting a butterfly garden. The butterfly has often been used as a metaphor for spiritual transformation. Even young children can begin to see the connections between changes over time in humans and how butterflies evolve. Because they are growing so rapidly and learning new skills, the idea of transformation is not foreign to young children. Also, the symbol of the cocoon and transformation to new life as a butterfly are natural metaphors for Lent (the 40 days before Easter). This book can help you explain to even the youngest children the symbolic darkness and ritual sacrifices of the Lenten season.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 2001

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

Formats other than Book: Audio, In the video collection: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and More Amusing Animal Tales.

Scripture Connections: In general, this book connects to any Bible character for which there is great transformation such as Joseph (in Genesis), disciples such as Matthew (in the Gospels), the woman at the well (in John), Saul/Paul (in Acts), and Jesus (in the Easter story). The way in which a caterpillar cocoons and then becomes a butterfly also connects metaphorically to the seasons of Lent and Easter.

Idea(s) for Application: Use the book above and the author’s partner book about a rainbow of plants [here] to celebrate God’s creative diversity by connecting the butterflies and plants to various people in your faith community. With permission, talk about transformations that person has experienced. Then have the children color or draw that butterfly/plant and present their depiction to the person.

PBT Redux #19 - Snowflake Bentley

We’ve had more snow than usual here in AL. After our last snow, I regretted not reminding you about this gorgeous book featured in PBT’s first year. I don’t dare wait for more snow here. It’s unlikely to come. Perhaps where you are it’s snowing, and you, like the man featured in this book, will marvel at God’s glory in the wondrous snowflake!

Picture Book: Snowflake Bentley

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustrator: Mary Azarian

Summary: In 19^th century Vermont, Wilson Bentley had a passion for snow. When he was given a microscope, Willie began looking at snowflakes and studying the ice crystals. He became fascinated and wished he could save them somehow to show others. He tried drawing their designs, but they always melted too quickly. Despite the high cost, at 17 Willie’s parents gave him a microscope with a camera. Painstakingly, Willie was able to successfully photograph the best examples of snowflakes and show them to others, sell them, or give them as gifts. 

Willie believed his knowledge was a gift to the world, but some neighbors and peers thought his work was a waste of time. Soon he began to understand the influences on and structure of snowflakes; then he realized that no two snowflakes are alike. Artists, designers, and professors began to be interested in his work. For 50 years, Willie shared his knowledge by giving presentations, and eventually, with financial support from scientists, created a book of his best photographs and acquired knowledge. Sadly, “Snowflake Bentley” died soon after the publication of this book, a book that is still read today. A monument and museum were eventually built in his memory.

Hanna’s Comments: I love the passion and perseverance of this individual! Wilson Bentley is a quiet hero of science who has truly given the world a beautiful gift. As faith communities nurture their children and youth, it behooves these communities to encourage the discovery of individual passions and explore ways in which each young person can benefit their world with ideas, skills, and enthusiasm. Willie’s faith in his vocation and the beauty and importance of his work, even though it was with a small and fleeting object, is inspiring. [Here] you'll find an 8-minute video about Wilson Bentley. You can easily find Bentley’s book on-line. It was reissued in 2000 and may be available in your local library. It would be a nice supplement to a lesson. You'll also find a few details and photos in the back of the book:

   

Original Publisher & Date: Houghton Mifflin, 1998

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

Formats other than Book: Audio

Scripture Connections: the charismatic passions of Elijah, John the Baptist, or Paul 

Idea(s) for Application: In addition to the other ideas that I’ve shared above, this book could be used as an exploration of our sacred individuality or the practice of contemplation.

PBT Redux #18 A Perfect Book for Epiphany

January 6 begins the Epiphany Season when the church considers The Magi’s journey. These were gentiles, thought by Jews to be outsiders, and yet Matthew, a Jew, tells this story. The Magi followed the bright star and worshiped the babe despite their alienation. They were drawn to do so by hope grounded in their life’s work and their personal imagination.

Today's repost is a beautiful, classic picture book that offers a similar journey by a child. She is human, an outsider to the forest. Like The Magi, she has a companion and together they embark on a dark journey for that which (and who) is beautiful and mysterious. 

The spiritual aspects of Owl Moon are likely obvious, but there are also many applications to today’s political and social contexts. We know of many aliens in many situations. And we are aliens ourselves sometimes. 

Read the story of The Magi to a group of children or adults. Then read this story and ask them simply to find connections between the 2 stories. You will be amazed by the conversation! One reason why this picture book works so well is its first person point of view. Listeners will step inside the story and be the child. In the discussion, be sure to ask about personal hopes going forward and what (who?) they hope to find in 2018.  

 

Picture Book: Owl Moon

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: John Schoenherr

Summary: The narrator, a girl it seems, embarks on a family rite of passage. She and her Pa go owling. She tells us she knows just what to do and has been waiting for this time with her Pa for a long time. Owling involves a silent walk into the woods the night of an “owl moon.” The sounds, sights, and mystery of the forest are explored and felt by the reader as Pa imitates the great horned owl’s call and they anticipate a sighting. An owl does call back. Pa shines his light upon the creature before it flies away. Pa and narrator walk home in silence when silence is no longer necessary but seems the right response to something so beautiful and rare.     

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful picture book celebrates the quiet love of a father and child as well as the possibilities of darkness and God’s nature. It also offers an example of what patience and a little bravery in a new environment might offer those willing to explore, even while holding the hand of one who is more mature. The narrator explains:

When you go owling, you don’t need words or warm or anything but hope.

This quiet adventure can be a metaphor for many spiritual and theological explorations. I can’t help but recommend to you of one of my favorite spiritual writers, Barbara Brown Taylor, and her recent book, Learning to Walk in the Dark.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Philomel, 1987

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

Formats other than Book: Audio

Scripture Connections: Be still & know (Psalm 46:10), Treasures of Darkness (Isaiah 45:3), The journey of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12); The many times Jesus prays apart from the disciples

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book and ask about connections to the journey of The Magi. This book would also be a great start to an adult small group’s study of Barbara Brown Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark.

3 Psalms Worship Books

Below you’ll find details on 3 picture books that epitomize what I try to do for you here at PBT. Karma Wilson, a prolific picture book author, and illustrator Amy June Bates have a series of three books. Each explore a well-known psalm. If you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving soon, you’ll be particularly interested in the first book pictured below, but they’re all great additions to any library at home or your place of worship.

Author: Karma Wilson 

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Hanna’s Comments: This author-illustrator duo offers three delightful picture books grounded in the Psalms for teaching children aspects of worship in a way that is relevant and enjoyable. These books detail 3 important aspects of worship, not just formal sanctuary worship but also authentic, momentary worship that a child might engage in anytime of the day or night. In each of these books you’ll find young children experiencing faithful joy in daily living. They are wonderful role models for children and adults in your community who might need a little reminder of how worship is supposed to feel. Let these little ones inspire your faith family. Note: Give Thanks to the Lord may have a different cover. 

More PBT Books: Karma Wilson also has a very popular series of secular books with titles beginning “Bear....” I would recommend any one of these books for young children to explore living in loving community. Here are links to PBT posts that offer theological connections to two books in that series: 

Bear Feels Sick 

BearSays Thanks  

Original Publisher: ZonderKidz

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

Formats other than Book: None at this time

Scripture Connections: Give Thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92); I Will Rejoice (Psalm 118:24); Let’s Make a Joyful Noise (Psalm 100:1); 

Idea(s) for Application: Each of these books can easily be used with children for instruction in how gratitude, praise, and joy are all important foundations for worshiping and pleasing God.  

PBT Series: God Book #4

Today I offer one of the treasures posted formerly here at PBT. Most of my featured books are secular because those are rich resources hidden in plain sight. However, now and then I post about a book that explicitly explores the nature of God. The book below is one of those God books. I originally offered it toward the end of my initial year of posting about a different picture book each day. That's why there are over 600 books at PBT for you to explore and consider for your faith family or your family at home. Add this book to both of those libraries for a way to expand each family's understanding of God and who we perceive God to be.

Picture Book: When God was a Little Girl

Author: David Weiss

Illustrator: Joan Hernadez Lindeman

Summary: A father and young daughter are on a long car trip. She wants a story about, “When God was a little girl.” Thus, begins a father’s imaginative retelling of the creation stories from Genesis. This personified God does art projects, giggles a lot, loves to sing colors into being, and invites the humans she creates to be echoes of the divine while She creates and sings the names of Earth’s creatures.

Hanna’s Comments: I was delighted to find this title on the storypath blog, a resource I highly recommend. You’ll find a link to that blog on my blog list here. My library didn’t have this book so I ordered it immediately. I was not disappointed! I love the artsy emphasis with both the music and the craft angles that children will enjoy. I especially appreciate how the young female images of God change in race and age. Don’t limit this book’s influence by reading it just to young girls or women. This is a wonderful book for expanding the image of God in a way that is non-threatening and delightful. Then have your audience consider other possibilities for expanding God’s image and encourage them to consider what these images say about God and what attributes for God are out of bounds for your group. Resources to supplement this book are at www.WhenGodWasaLittleGirl.com. At the back, the author and illustrator offer some details about their inspirations for this picture book.

Original Publisher & Date: Beaver’s Pond Press, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Creation Stories (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to discuss and expand images of God in the Genesis creation stories and beyond. 

Peter’s Snowy Book and Poem

 

Picture Book: The Snowy Day

Author & Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Summary: This picture book classic and Caldecott Medal winner captures delight in God’s creation. 

In its day, this book was particularly significant because Peter is an urban child and a non-white child, both were rare in picture books. 

Little Peter’s first experience with snow is exploratory and abundant. His urban community has been transformed into white wonder. 

He hopes to have a souvenir from his adventure, 

but alas, snowballs, like ethereal moments, don't last.

Hanna’s Comments: In The Snowy Day publication I have (published exclusively for the Dolly Pardon Imagination Library program), I find Tips for Reading with Preschoolers. I would add to those recommendations that you simply talk about God as the provider of the beautiful snow and how pleased God must be that Peter is enjoying God’s gift of snow. Then go for an exploratory nature walk, whether you have snow or not, and be grateful for God's creation.

On NPR, I heard an interview that I want to recommend to those of you who enjoy the history of picture books and value having children of color as main characters. 

Andrea Davis Pinkney, an author of books for children and young adults, has written a stunning poetic tribute to Ezra Jack Keats and his most popular book. A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day is beautiful and informative. 

The poem and the illustrations vividly tell Keats’ story. He was a child of Polish immigrants who fled antisemitism. From an early age, he was destined to become an artist. 

How The Snowy Day came to be was fascinating! Pinkney was the perfect author for this tribute. “As an African-American child growing up in the 1960s, at a time when I didn’t see others like me in picture books, I was profoundly affected by the expressiveness of Keats’ illustrations.” 

Illustrators Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson perfectly echo Keats' style from the 1962 book. 

For me, the most powerful part of  A Poem for Peter was the photos from a Life magazine article that Keats had above his desk for 20 years before they inspired the character of Peter in The Snowy Day. 

You’ll find the NPR story [here].

This poem is too long to be read for a Picture Book Theology experience, but you could bring the book along wherever you read The Snowy Day, share some of its illustrations, and tell your audience the history and significance of this delightful classic.

Original Publisher & Date: Viking Press, 1962

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, video, audio

Scripture Connections: Delight yourself in the Lord… But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. (Psalm 37: 4 & 11); Wonderful are your works (Psalm 139:14b)

Idea(s) for Application: For very young children, see my comments above. For older children and adults, read this book as an example of a contemplative prayer experience in which a child delights in God’s creation. 

The First Worship Lessons: Joy, Praise, and Gratitude

          

Picture Book: I Will Rejoice    and    Let’s Make a Joyful Noise

Author: Karma Wilson 

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Summary: This author-illustrator duo offers three delightful picture books grounded in the Psalms for teaching young children aspects of worship in a way that is very relevant and enjoyable. These books detail 3 important aspects of worship, not just formal sanctuary worship but also authentic, momentary worship that a child might engage in anytime of the day or night. Two of these books are pictured above. The third is Give Thanks to the Lord, based on Psalm 92 and offered on this PBT blog’s Picture Book a Day for a Year list on Day 220 (November 25, 2014). In each of these books you’ll find young children experiencing faithful joy in daily living experiences.  

Hanna’s Comments: Karma Wilson also has a very popular secular series of books all titles beginning “Bear....” I would recommend any one of these books. You’ll find 2 in the series on this PBT blog: Bear Feels Sick (Day 46 on June 4, 2014) and Bear Says Thanks (Day 213 on November 18, 2014).  

Original Publisher: ZonderKidz

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

# of Pages: 24 (each)

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet (Let’s Make a Joyful Noise only at this time)

PBT Category: God Books

Scripture Connections: I Will Rejoice (based on Psalm 118:24); Let’s Make a Joyful Noise (based on Psalm 100:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Each of these books can easily be used with young children for instruction in how praise, joy, and gratitude (in the book featured earlier) are all important foundations for worshiping God.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 365!!!!!!!!!!

Picture Book: Big and Small, Room for All

Author: Jo Ellen Bogart

Illustrator: Gillian Newland

Summary: The first double page spread of this book has a little girl in a tree. The words read, “Big and Small, Big and Small.” Then a visual jump is made to the vast universe. “Room for all, Big and small.” With each page, a tighter view occurs. First the big sky (universe) and small sun, then the big sun and small Earth, and so on until you read, “What is smaller than a flea? A world of things too small to see.”  

Hanna’s Comments: This book captures my values in a nutshell. I believe every element of this universe is a beloved creation of our loving God. Also, here the mystery of the Divine is captured in the big sky and even in the tiniest creatures. My church’s vision statement is “An Open Place for All to Worship, Grow, and Serve.” This big statement is an invitation to anyone who happens to walk in our doors, no matter how small they are feeling. We are a big church, with a big steeple, and big stained-glass windows. But we know that small things matter, a warm greeting for a visitor, a phone call when someone is missed, or a touch when a beloved friend is hurting. I love my church because our big hearts for our much bigger God are expressed in the small ways we are the hands and feet of Christ to others on a small corner of this world in downtown Birmingham, AL, USA, Earth….

I have now demonstrated for you 365 times that big ideas can be found in even small picture books. The two extremes represented in this picture book ground my faith in a way that is comforting and has kept me writing these blog posts for you for 365 consecutive days, a big goal that I have managed, with God’s help, to accomplish, one small step (day) at a time. Praise God!

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Tundra Books, 2009

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, animals, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, babies/children, beauty, belonging, blessings, creation, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, God’s care/providence, heaven/sky, life, moon/space/stars/sun, mystery, reverence, variety, wonder

Scripture Connections: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers… who are we that you are mindful of us? (Psalm 8:3-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are wanting to consider both the enormity and detail of God’s creation and the way in which God is in the big picture and the details.