Baptism Sunday

At worship this Sunday, many churches will remember the Baptism of Jesus and encourage attendees to remember their own baptism. It’s a great time to talk with your children about reasons for baptism and your memories of their own baptism if they were baptized previously. The book (and song!) featured below offers a simple introduction to this important church ritual.

Picture Book: Welcome Child of God

Author: Anne Ylvisaker

Illustrator: Claudia McGehee

Summary: In simple poetic verse, baptism is beautifully presented for very young children. Hospitality is a theme here as this ritual is described as a welcoming to the one who will receive tending and guiding from their family of faith. When talking about baptism, be sure to share your own memories from your baptism or ones of those you love. Add your theological perspective on baptism. Concrete examples will help children understand this important rite of passage. Consider having an activity involving a simple sensory experience with water.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect gift for a church to give a family when a child is born or baptized as an infant. Even if your church doesn’t practice infant baptism, the song which is the text of the book, can be learned and sung to the child or used in the baptism ritual at your church. The musical score is included.

Original Publisher & Date: Augsburg Fortress, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about the baptism of Jesus and others by John the Baptist such as those in the gospels of Matthew (3), Mark (1), (Luke (3), and John (1) or scriptures about the disciples baptizing others. Many are found in Acts. There are also many scriptures about the theology surrounding baptism in The Epistles.

Idea(s) for Application: Give this book to a family at the event of their child’s birth or baptism or read it to a group of children learning about baptism. 

Fruit of the Spirit: Love

Picture Book: Love

Author: Matt de la Pena

Illustrator: Loren Long

Summary: This beautiful new book begins with the birth of a child, but the story is about several children. The word "you" refers to each of them. This allows the images and ideas to more easily apply to the reader as well. In your case, your audience.

Sounds, smells and other sensory experiences of these children's lives are celebrated as evidence of love, as in this urban scene and...

 

the sky above a trailer home. 

The delight of an urban summer day and playing with the big kids is one of many examples of love here! But these moments are not all joyful. Love comes at hard times too.

When fire alarms interrupt your sleep, a neighbor reassures you that stars shine with love long after the flames die out. 

Sometimes love is harder to find such as when there's violence in your home 

or when there's violence on the TV and no one will explain. 

You might go to bed and face bad dreams, but then 

awake to find loving arms to hold you. Then you hear, "It's okay. It's okay." That's love. 

Some love gets unappreciated like the love of a parent who is at work in the morning but leaves breakfast to share. 

Love is in each deep crevice of the face of a granddad who will fish with a grandchild. 

Love is in a young girl's daydreams 

your uncle's stories, 

and the love songs of the man who sings on the street. 

Most importantly, love is in the face you see in the bathroom mirror. 

And then one day, you'll be off on your own, surrounded by family wishing you good luck, 

but it won't be luck you'll have.  Instead you'll have the love they've given you all along. Love. Love. Love.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is a celebration of the universal bonds of love, across cultures, diverse family situations, and various milestones. This is not a straightforward book. I suggest you read each double-page spread and then discuss that situation. Begin by simply asking, "Where's the love?"  You might have to start with, "What are the feelings being experienced?" Help your audience expand the sources of love from human to divine. Consider talking about God's hope or Jesus' examples and how those might apply. Ask: "Where's The Holy Spirit?" in each situation. "What are people being called to do? Why?" Try to encourage many connections to the book and across your audience. This will build meaning and perhaps lead to transformation. 

This author's last publication was so impressive that it won the prestigious Newbery Award for 2016. This is unusual for a picture book. Like today's feature book, Last Stop on Market Street is all about a loving relationships but via a soup kitchen and a child's first exposure to poverty. [Here's] my post featuring that book.

Original Publisher & Date: Putnam’s Sons, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: In addition to The Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: ... love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18); A new commandment I give you that you love one another (John 13:34); The Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13); Let all you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14); Above all these, put on love which binds everything together (Colossians 3:14); Above all, keep loving one another earnestly (1 Peter 4:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of new parents or those who are anticipating parenthood. OR Read this book during a lesson series for elementary children on The Fruit of the Spirit. 

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. 

December Holiday Books 7, 8, & 9

Today I offer 3 picture books that are origin stories, 1 for Hanukkah and 2 for Christmas. If you are Christian, still consider using the Hanukkah story for it is not only a part of December culture but our religious heritage as well.

Picture Book: It’s a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook

Author: Stephanie Spinner

Illustrator: Jill McElmurry 

Summary: Here the rituals and elements of Hanukkah are the background for a series of 8 stories told to Owen, the OCL (official lighter of the menorah candles). Owen hears these stories each night of Hanukah from his Grandma. Most are stories of family members with a few obvious exceptions such as the story of an alien who is helped by seeing a menorah in a window. Grandma highlights miracles and connections to the Jewish holiday and Owen’s heritage.

Hanna’s Comments: What a wonderful relationship Owen has with his Grandma! What a fabulous storyteller she is! In the back of this book, you’ll find The Hanukkah Legend, a list of The Hanukkah Blessings, and a short glossary. The text of this book is quite long so I suggest you read it in portions, depending on the age of your audience. It is a great introduction for non-Jewish children who know little of Hanukkah as well as a fun book for Jewish rabbis, teachers, or parents to read to their children. After reading, talk about some particular stories and traditions of your family of origin or family of faith.

Original Publisher& Date: Anne Swartz, 2003

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The story of Hanukkah is based on stories in 1^st and 2^nd Maccabees in the Hebrew Bible and in some Christian Bibles.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children wanting to learn more about Hanukkah and their own religious heritage.

Note this book has 2 very different covers depending on publication date.

Picture Book: The Nativity

Illustrator: Julie Vivas 

Summary: The story of Jesus’ birth is illustrated here with very human but unusual illustrations. Beginning with the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, the illustrations encompass the journey, birth, and response from the community. It ends with the departure of the shepherds and wise men.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the book I usually choose when I want to read about Jesus’ birth to children and adults. Audiences respond so positively to the juxtaposition of the old King James text with the delightful and surprising illustrations.

Original Publisher & Date: Gulliver, 1986

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The text in this book is from the King James version of Matthew and Luke.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are celebrating the birth of the Christ child.

Note that this cover is different from what you may find.

Picture Book: The First Christmas

Illustrations: Paintings at The National Gallery, London 

Summary: This stunning book offers scripture texts of Jesus’ birth with corresponding paintings from masters of the Renaissance. For instance, the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in the Book of Luke are paired with this [beautiful painting] by Lippi from The National Gallery of London.

Hanna’s Comments: There are many picture books that celebrate Jesus’ birth. Here I’ve chose two that are very different. This book is most appropriate for school age children or older and has an additional art history component. An index in the back offers information about each of the paintings.

Original Publisher & Date: Simon & Schuster, 1992

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

Formats other than Book: None at present, but it is likely that most of these paintings can be viewed on-line [here] at the museum’s website.

Scripture Connections: The text in this book is from the King James version of Isaiah, Matthew, and Luke.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a homeschool or private school setting as a combined religious and art lesson.

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.

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 281

Picture Book: The Boy on the Page

Author & Illustrator: Peter Carnavas

Summary: A boy lands on the first page of this clever picture book. He wonders, “Why am I here?” and “What does it mean?” At first there is nothing, Then a world begins to appear. Comically, he rides a horse, catches a fish, paints a picture, saves an animal, grows up, falls in love…. As his family grows, he looks at the moon sometimes and wonders why he landed on the page. In an attempt to answer this question, he jumps off the page. Again at first there is nothing, but then he tumbles back to the page where he finds “everything he had ever made, every animal he had ever cared for and every person he had ever loved.” Finally, he understands the meaning of his life.

Hanna’s Comments: These hilarious illustrations mask a picture book full of meaning and connections to our own questions about how and why our lives are meaningful and important and what happens when we exit. It’s a comforting thought to think that the end of our lives will have us surrounded by those we love and the fruits of our loves and labors.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Kane Miller, 2014

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: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, afterlife/heaven, beginnings/morning, birth/birthday, blessings, bonds/connections, creation, family, God’s care/providence, gratitude/thanksgiving, humanity, life, manna, mystery, purpose, questioning/questions, relationships, time/over time

Scripture Connections: The creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children when studying the story of God creating Adam and Eve. This book would also be a fun read at a family retreat for a faith community.