PBT Redux #14 – Brown Bear’s Wonderful Secret

Because we are approaching the Christian season of Advent, I reached back into the PBT archives to feature again a fabulous secular book that connects with anticipating the birth of Jesus or any new life in your faith community. Children across religious traditions and contexts will love this story of joyful expectation! But shhh! Like most birth narratives, this story begins as a secret.

Picture Book: Brown Bear’s Wonderful Secret

Author: Caroline Castle

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Summary: Brown Bear’s wonderful secret is that she’s going to have a baby, but this is not revealed until the end of the book. As she begins to tell her animal friends about her secret, they interrupt her with guesses about the secret’s characteristics. The conversation takes riddle form: She wouldn’t want to eat it, but she might lick it. It doesn’t fly, but she might throw it up in the air and catch it. The animal friends are not able to solve the puzzle before Brown Bear must hibernate. The wonderful secret is revealed to them when spring comes and she has a babe in her arms. Brown Bear’s friends agree, it certainly was a most wonderful secret!  

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect book for Advent, a Christian liturgical season that gets overwhelmed by the pre-Christmas madness. Advent, like this story, encapsulates the anticipation and joy of waiting on a new birth. Expecting the birth of a new member is a delightful aspect of being a part of a loving faith family. Like Brown Bear, I hope you are able to anticipate and fully experience the joys of your winter holidays and any new births coming your way.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2006

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The birth narratives of Hannah (1 Samuel 1 & 2), Elizabeth (Luke 1), or Mary (Luke 1 & 2).  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are anticipating the Christ child during Advent or a new member of your faith community any time of the year. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 318

Picture Book: Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: Lazy Bird Mayzie takes advantage of dependable Horton. Despite his size, she begs the elephant to sit on her egg while she takes a beach vacation. Horton gently sits on the egg and waits. The weather turns horrid for Horton while Mayzie enjoys herself on a beach and decides to never go back. Through autumn and winter, Horton faithfully sits, reminding himself, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred per cent!” In spring, animals tease Horton. When 3 hunters come and aim their rifles at Horton, he holds his head high and refuses to run away. The hunters are so amazed by this sight that they take the tree, Horton, and the egg all the way to New York. They sell the collection to the circus where it goes on tour all the way down to Florida. There they meet Lazy Bird Mayzie who claims the egg just as it starts hatching. The cracked egg reveals a little Horton with wings, an elephant bird. A happy ending follows. Horton is allowed to go home with his baby.

Horton’s next story has him hearing a very faint call for help from a small speck of dust. Horton gently captures the speck and places it on a clover. A mother kangaroo and baby pass by so Horton tells them about the voice, but they respond with unbelief and disdain. Horton declares, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Horton realizes the speck is in danger so he plucks the clover and carries it into the jungle. Meanwhile, Horton begins a conversation with the voice on the speck. It is a Who, the Mayor of Who-ville, who is thankful for Horton’s protection. Monkeys overhear Horton talking so they steal the clover and take it to an eagle who flies with it far away and drops it into a field of clover. Horton diligently follows and is able to find the clover after picking millions of them. The Whos report their damage and beg for Horton’s continued protection. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have convinced others to cage Horton and boil the clover. Horton responds with a plea to the Whos to all shout together so that they can be heard by the other animals. The Whos cry together, “We are here! We are here!” But the other animals can’t hear them. Horton compels them to make more noise, suggesting that someone might be “shirking.” The mayor finds a young, quiet Who so he takes him to the top of a tower and compels him, saying “every voice counts.” Finally, the Whos are loud enough to be heard by the other animals. The kangaroo promptly promises to protect the Whos as well and they are safe.

Hanna’s Comments: I think children will respond easily to these books if they don’t already know them. They likely know the Whos from Who-ville because of How the Grinch Stole Christmas so they already have a connection to these stories. They will be glad to hear that the Whos were saved by the “Smallest of All.” In the book on the left Horton says, “I’ll stay and be faithful.” This statement and others, including Horton’s quotations above, directly relate to messages in our Holy Scriptures. Note that these are quite lengthy picture books. Consider the attention spans of your audience and don’t try to do them both in one sitting.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1940 (book on left) 1954 (book on right)

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

# of Pages: 64 (book on left) 72 (book on right)

Available in Spanish? For Horton Hears a Who only

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio, Videos are available on Youtube.com and there is a feature length movie of Horton Hears a Who. Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Both are Classics

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, adoption, awe, babies/children, belonging, betrayal, bonds/connections, caring/tending, challenges, commitment, communication, covenant/promises/vows, dependence/interdependence, differences, difficulties, eggs/seeds, evangelism, faith/faithfulness, fathers, flowers/leaves/trees, helping, heroes, kindness, life, listening, mission, noise/sounds/voice, nurturing, parents/parental love, patience, poaching/stealing/theft, protecting/protection, reverence, righteousness, sacrifice, servant/service/serving, steadfastness, storms, waiting, weather

Scripture Connections: Do not break a vow (Numbers 30:2); wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage (Psalm 27:14)

Idea(s) for Application:  These books connect to scriptures about compassion, faithfulness, commitment, perseverance, protection, and many others. Also, for adult or youth programming, consider checking out The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss by James W. Kemp. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 299

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: A Blessing from Above

Author: Patti Henderson

Illustrator: Liz Edge 

Summary: This is a story of an adult female kangaroo who has an empty pouch. She prays every night for a baby to love. Everywhere she sees mothers and children enjoying one another. While resting under a willow tree, she spies a nest filled with bluebird eggs. She watches the eggs hatch, getting more crowded by each hatching. When the last and smallest bird hatches, it is accidentally knocked out of the nest and falls straight into the kangaroo’s pouch! The little bird calls the kangaroo “Mommy.” The mother bird realizes her nest is too small and is happy to see her baby bird in a warm, cuddly pouch. Momma-Roo is elated! Kangaroo and baby bird begin sharing the kinds of experiences the kangaroo was earlier seeing from a distance. Each night they thank God for all their blessings, especially each other. On the title page, you’ll find this scripture: Children are a gift from God; they are His reward. Psalm 127:3. There is another scripture reference at the end: In love He destined us for adoption to himself. Ephesians 1:5.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the first book in a PBT Dynamic Duo of Little Golden Books. In the children’s section of an independent book store, I recently found a carousel of Little Golden Books. I had read the newly published Everything I Needed to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow so I was determined to find a book suitable for my PBT blog. That was easy! The first book I picked up is featured here. I had hoped that I could somehow find a listing of all of the secular Little Golden Books that had a scripture reference inside as this one does, but alas that did not happen. I also found a beautiful book that has a contemplative prayer orientation, Wonders of Nature. I was struck by the number of sacred Little Golden Books there are. I knew two sacred books in the carousel Prayers for Children and My Little Golden Book about God. There were several others in this carousel alone such as Bible Heroes and Miracles of Jesus. I did find two internet sources that may help you search through the hundreds of titles of Little Golden Books for ones you might use in ministry. In general, Little Golden Books are appropriate for attentive toddlers (Yes, they do exist!), preschoolers, and early elementary students.

Here’s a link to the publisher: http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/little-golden-books/

Here’s another place to purchase them with a good search engine: http://goldenbookguy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_22&products_id=98

Also, here’s a link to a fun history of Little Golden Books:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/28840/childrens-books-children-history-little-golden-books

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1999

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

# of Pages: 24

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: adoption, affection, aspirations/dreams, babies/children, belonging, blessings, caring/tending, comfort, companionship, coveting/envy/jealousy, dependence/interdependence, family, found, God’s care/providence, gratitude/thanksgiving, joy, loneliness, love, manna, mothers, nurturing, parents/parental love, safe place/sanctuary, surprise, treasure, wishes

Scripture Connections: The stories of Sarah (in Genesis 17 & 21) and/or Hannah (in 1 Samuel 1 & 2); Children are a gift from God; they are God’s reward. (Psalm 127:3); In love God destined us for adoption to Himself (Ephesians 1:5)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith community when learning about the stories of Sarah or Hannah in the Hebrew Scriptures. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 297

Picture Book: Be Gentle

Author & Illustrator: Virginia Miller

Summary: Bartholomew loves his new little black kitten, but he’s not yet learned how to handle his new pet. George, an adult bear, tells him to “be gentle because she is only little.” After some squashing, scary rides, and a surprise with the garden hose, Bartholomew is reminded to be gentle. Each time he says, “Nah!” Bartholomew plays the drums for the new kitten, but she runs away. Then he is sad and sorry so he goes to his secret hiding place, where he finds the little black kitten. He handles her gently, and she purrs. He is learning.

Hanna’s Comments: Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Gentleness has many forms besides what is represented here, but this is a great first lesson for very young children in how to treat others, not just pets. Note that a board book publication of this book has a different cover than the one you see photographed here.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 1997

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler 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: action, adaptation/assimilation, affection, animals, babies/children, caring/tending, care of creation, comfort, companionship, conformity, education/learning/school, fear, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gentleness/meekness, God’s will, golden rule, goodness, hiding/isolation, mistakes, noise/sound/voice, nurturing, pets, play, power, regret/repentance, respect, victims

Scripture Connections: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22); the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason… (James 3:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of very young children who are learning how to care for and respect God’s creatures or the fruits of the Spirit. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 294

Picture Book: The Incredible Peepers of Penelope Budd

Author: Marie Karns

Illustrator: Amy Wummer

Summary: Baby Penelope is born with bright blue eyes, but time changes one of her eyes to a rich chocolate brown. Her doctor says this is unusual but not of concern, “She’s just the way she’s supposed to be.” When folks respond to Penelope’s eyes with criticism, her mother adds to the doctor’s comment, ”She’ll see things no other person will see!”  And she does. As Penelope grows, she notices the detailed beauty of the world in a way that others do not, allowing Penelope to be beautifully imaginative, creative, and unique.

Hanna’s Comments: As I read this book about a gifted and unique child, I immediately thought of some of the female saints in our Christian tradition who were imaginative, unique, criticized, and determined. There was Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) who saw the great potential of God’s divine love in a tiny hazelnut. Here Penelope sees the extravagance of God’s small things and is made wise because of her vision. This book is a wonderful introduction to contemplative prayer, a prayer that delights in the beauty, mystery, and godliness of even creation’s smallest things.   

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Gibbs Smith, 2005

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, attentiveness/observation/seeing, authenticity, awe, babies/children, beauty, birth/birthday, contemplation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, individuality/uniqueness, mothers, parents/parental love, prayer, wonder  

Scripture Connections: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14); God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11); …whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:9b).

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to help children or adults understand the possibilities of contemplative prayer or simply taking time to gaze and wonder at God’s small creations.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 225

Picture Book: Brown Bear’s Wonderful Secret

Author: Caroline Castle

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Summary: Brown Bear’s wonderful secret is that she’s going to have a baby, but this is not revealed until the end of the book. As she begins to tell her animal friends about her secret, they interrupt her with guesses about the secret’s characteristics. The conversation takes riddle form: She wouldn’t want to eat it, but she might lick it. It doesn’t fly, but she might throw it up in the air and catch it. The animal friends are not able to solve the puzzle before Brown Bear must hibernate. The wonderful secret is revealed to them when spring comes and she has a babe in her arms. Brown Bear's friends agree, it certainly was a most wonderful secret!  

Hanna’s Comments: I chose this book for the first day of Advent, a Christian liturgical season that gets overwhelmed by the pre-Christmas madness. Advent, like this story, encapsulates the anticipation and joy of waiting on a new birth. Like Brown Bear, I hope you are able to anticipate and fully experience the joys of your winter holidays and any new births coming your way. Anticipating the birth of a new member is a delightful aspect of being a part of a loving faith family. This kind of joyful expectation and hopeful longing are two of the central themes of the liturgical season of Advent in the Christian church.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2006

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, babies/children, birth/birthday, community, friends/friendship, joy, mothers, parents/parental love, secrets, surprise, waiting,

Scripture Connections: The birth narratives of Hannah (1 Samuel 1 & 2), Elizabeth (Luke 1), or Mary (Luke 1 & 2).  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are anticipating the Christ child during Advent or a new member of your faith community any time of the year. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 131

Picture Book: Mama Outside, Mama Inside

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Susan Gaber

Summary: This story begins with the line, “The babies are coming! The mamas have so much to do before they arrive.” The babies are a human baby and a bird baby. The mamas (and daddies) busily prepare by setting up a nursery or a nest. The birds’ nest is just outside the window of the nursery so the Mamas eventually hear and see one other. The parallels are many in this beautiful picture book that illustrates in two species the work and joy of welcoming a little one.

Hanna’s Comments: This would be a great book to use during Advent, but don’t limit its use to that season. Anytime a baby is expected, a celebration is in order and children have questions about what is happening and what will come. Making connections with other species enhances the experiences for children and encourages all of us to appreciate God’s wondrous and loving design for all sorts of families. If you are inclined to talk about less traditional families as well, use other species to give evidence of God’s varying designs for bringing up children. This book also offers an opportunity to talk about God's feminine qualities.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Henry Holt & Company, 2006

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: animals, babies/children, beginnings/morning, family, God’s nature, home, humanity, image of God, labor/work, mothers, nurturing, parents/parental love, preparation/prepare, wonder

Scripture Connections: Like the eagle…God spreads wings to catch you…and carry you (Deuteronomy 32:11); Prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3); as a mother comforts her child… (Isaiah 66:13); Jesus desires to gather the children of Jerusalem as a hen gathers her brood (Matthew 23:37)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to explain to children the importance of the season of Advent in the Christian liturgical year.       

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 126

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: The Keeping Quilt                             

Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Summary: This is another story of the author’s great-grandmother, Anna, that involves her immigration from Russia to America. Highlighted this time in her family’s story is a quilt, created by the neighborhood women when Anna outgrows the one dress she brought from Russia. Her mother says the quilt will remind them of home, “like having the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night.” The trim of this quilt is Anna’s babushka (Russian head covering). Other items of family clothing are cut into animal & flower shapes and scattered on the blessing quilt. The quilt is used throughout the years as a Shabbat (Sabbath) cloth, a wedding canopy, and a blanket for newborns. Like the blessing cup in the previous PBT Dynamic Duo offering, the keeping quilt is passed down from generation to generation via the oldest female, a prize indeed!  

Hanna’s Comments: A 25^th Anniversary Edition is available with 15 bonus pages detailing the quilt’s journey to the museum where it now sits. Offer both of these books in either order to encourage discussion of family heirlooms and the spiritual heirlooms we keep from our familial ancestors and religious ancestors.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1988

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, audio cassette, video

There is also a video of the author reading the book and another of the author showing the actual quilt from the story.

PBT Category: Award Winner, Pre 2K, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aliens/immigrants/immigration/refugees/strangers, ancestors/matriarchs & patriarchs, artifacts, babies/children, beauty, blessings, bonds/connections, clothes/shoes, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, family, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, God’s presence, grandparents, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, heritage, manna, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, milestones, nurturing, possessions, presence, relationships, reverence, Sabbath, security, sharing, at table, time/timing/over time, transformation, treasure, unity

Scripture Connections: Rituals for keeping & remembering the Passover (Numbers 9:2-5); as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to talk about your religious and familial rituals and how objects and artifacts comprise important parts of those ceremonies.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 114

Picture Book: Nest

Author & Illustrator: Jorey Hurley

Summary: This wonderful picture book begins by depicting a pair of robins building a nest. Milestones of their family life follow such as caring for their chick, guarding her, teaching her to fly, seeing her meet her own mate, and lastly building her own nest. Each double page spread is a beautiful depiction of the season with the one word that moves the story along from “Nest” on the first page to “Nest” on the last. This simple, universal story of families is a real treat.   

Hanna’s Comments: When a story ends as it begins, it is called a circle story. The striking illustrations of simple, muted shapes allow you to focus on the story-line, a plot-line shared by God’s creatures fortunate enough to be born and to live in families until they make new families as adults. Although the book can be comprehended by very young children, allow older audiences to be inspired by it. Encourage them to share what they see as the ingredients of a loving family. Talk about how family members change and mature to make new loving families, a cycle intended by our loving creator. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 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, abundance/bounty, animals, anxiety/worry, babies/children, beginnings/morning, belonging, caring/tending, change, dependence/interdependence, eggs/seeds, the environment/nature, family, growing up/growth, home, marriage, milestones, new home/relocation, nurturing, parents/parental love, partners/teamwork, time/timing/overtime, transformation

Scripture Connections: Birds nesting at the temple (Psalm 84:3-4); train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6); do not worry, look at the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a good book to connect with the scripture in Matthew about how humans shouldn’t worry (see above).