The Silliness of Humans and God’s Delicious Provisions

The following two books have several things in common:

a woman devoted to children

the love, fellowship, joy, and work of preparing meals

and God’s delicious abundance.

The first book might be called a comical modern parable. The second involves a true story of determination and revolution.

Picture Book: The Seven Silly Eaters

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman

Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Summary: In clever rhymed verse, this author presents the increasing toil of a mother whose 7 children each will eat only one food. That’s 7 different foods! Her trouble begins when lovingly Mrs. Peters wants to please her first child who will only drink milk at a certain temperature. Then each newly born children will consume only one different item. All of these foods require trips to the grocery store (That’s how Mr. Peters is involved.) and cooking. No pre-cooked foods here! On her birthday, the children decide to fix their mother the food that they love, but their kitchen skills are lacking and things don’t go well. Their combined efforts make a scrumptious mess that transforms the future meal prep of Mrs. Peters and the eating habits of her children.

  

Hanna’s Comments: This book was recently used in a lesson for elementary children about Peter’s dream in Acts 10 in which he sees a group of unclean animals upon a sheet coming down from the sky. God invites Peter to eat and Peter says, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” God responds, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” It is easy to see the connections between the picture book and the scripture. It is also easy to see God personified in Mrs. Peter’s loving devotion, provision, and patience. The later deserves a very different kind of conversation about human tendencies to make demands of God on our timeline and schedule.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Voyager Books, 1997

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Video, Audio Cassette

PBT Category: Pre 2K

Scripture Connections: The food laws in Leviticus 11; My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips (Psalm 63:5); Open your mouth wide and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10); Peter’s Dream (Acts 10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group children and make connections with Acts 10 or read it to a group of adults and consider the personification of God in Mrs. Peters and how we are like her picky children.  

Picture Book: Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustrator: Hayelin Choi

Afterward: Alice Waters

Summary: Alice Waters has been called the mother of the slow food movement here in the USA. This picture book offers her back story and her mission that every child in America (Dare I say the world?) would come with her on the “Trip to Delicious.” This involves teaching children the story of fresh food and encouraging them to taste good food, every day, even in their school lunches. As a child, Alice was often in search of Delicious. She journeyed to France to study food and returned to California where she opened her restaurant Chez: Panisse. Quickly she struggled to find fresh food for her restaurant. Through her efforts to secure fresh food, relationships with growers were begun, along with The Edible Schoolyard Project, where students can grow and cook their own food. Alice hopes that all children can pursue their dreams to positively change the world sustained by Trips to Delicious. In the back of the book you’ll find an Afterward where Alice Waters encourages the readers, an Author’s Note where Jacqueline Briggs Martin offers a more detailed context to the story, a Bibliography and Resources where you’ll find websites and books on growing food and cooking food.  

Hanna’s Comments: So what does a book about the beginnings of the slow food movement offer families of faith?  In the text it says that Alice Waters knows that sharing good food can wake people up, create happiness, start a party, and make memories. What better activities for faith families? Make connections between the Trip to Delicious and our foundational precept: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Readers to Eaters, 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

PBT Category: Biography, Post 2K

Scripture Connections: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8); Open your mouth wide and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10); My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips (Psalm 63:5); You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things (Psalm 107:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of teens or young adults who are exploring vocational aspirations that will positively impact the world. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 352

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: A Seed is Sleepy

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Sylvia Long

Summary: This informative and striking picture book offers pictorial details and fun facts about a wide variety of seeds in a range of sizes, textures, structures, colors, idiosyncrasies, transport methods, and habitats. You’ll find the anatomy of a seed and the life cycles of several common seeds. There are some anecdotes such as the story of an ancient seed, unearthed in an archeological dig, that surprised the scientists by sprouting! The title comes from the fact that most seeds are dormant for a season or more.  

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book is one of a beautiful series of 6. Each offers gorgeous details and facts about its subject, even on the end papers. More books may follow. Here are the other titles, all of which have central subjects that are often spiritual or religious themes:

A Nest is Noisy

A Butterfly is Patient

A Rock is Lively

An Egg is Quiet
A Beetle is Shy

Remember, this type of non-fiction book is perfect for doing some creative program planning around a particular scriptural theme.This is the first offering in a PBT Dynamic Duo about seeds. Tomorrow’s book is a narrative from the point of view of a moonflower seed.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Chronicle Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 40 

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, awe, beauty, beginnings/morning, blessing, breath/breathing/wind, caring/tending, dependence/interdependence, diversity, dying, eggs/seeds, the environment/nature, evangelism, faith/faithfulness, flowers/leaves/trees, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, growing up/growth, hope, land/mountains/soil, patience, perseverance, purpose, quiet/rest/silence/sleep, transformation, variety, waiting, wonder

Scripture Connections: I have given you every plant yielding seed… and every tree with seed in its fruit. (Genesis 1:29); the seed parables (Matthew 13); unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24); whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this picture book when researching and planning lessons about how seeds are viewed symbolically in the Holy Scriptures or in a personal faith journey. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 257

Picture Book: Faith

Authors: Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, Cynthia Pon

Photographers: various

Summary: This book is a photographic essay with some explanatory text perfect for children and youth. It offers a panoramic view of young people engaged in religious or spiritual practices that are across our globe. All photographs are captioned with the name of the religion and the geographic location. Some offer more detailed explanation. What is celebrated here is the diversity and beauty of religious devotion and tradition throughout our world. Some religions are well known and ancient; others are more modern and obscure. This beautiful book highlights the connection humans have when demonstrating reverence and engaging in worship. Specific elements of faith are highlighted such as prayer, reading holy books, chanting, going to holy places, and building peace.

Hanna’s Comments: This would be a perfect book to read and discuss in a private school or homeschool setting where you can offer a broad context to your own religious traditions while studying others. Portions of the sale of this book support The Global Fund for Children. For more information on this organization go to www.globalfundforchildren.org. In the back, find a map locating the places where the featured children live. Also, check out the glossary and an explanation of the elements of faith in which this book is organized.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Charlesbridge, 2009

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: God Book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, action, adoration, art, awe, baptism/cleansing/washing, beauty, Bible/scripture, choir/music/singing/songs, communion/Eucharist, community, differences, diversity, faith/faithfulness, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, heritage, holiness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, prayer, religious differences, response to God, reverence, at table, variety, worship

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book when exploring the world’s various religions as well as their commonalities with and differences from your own religious tradition. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 252

Picture Book: All God’s Critters

Author: Bill Stains

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: This picture book is comprised of the lyrics to a folk song written and made famous by Bill Stains. Here are the lyrics to the chorus:

All God’s critters got a place in the choir.

Some sing low, some sing higher,

Some sing out loud on the telephone wire,

And some just clap their hands,

or paws, or anything they got.

The verses describe where on the scales various species sing while all are delighting in the sounds of God’s creatures.

Hanna’s Comments: This is nice big book so you’ll be able to show the illustrations easily. The score to the song is in the back so you can even teach your children the song and invite them to sing as you show the fun illustrations. Celebrate God’s creativity with song and praise of Earth’s bounty of creatures, great and small. You may another book with this title and these lyrics, but different illustrations by Margot Zemach.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 2009

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

# of Pages: 36

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are several versions of this song being performed on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Song book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, animals, choir/music/singing/songs, communication, creation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, diversity, the environment/nature, joy, language/literacy/reading, noise/sounds/voice, response to God, variety, worship

Scripture Connections: Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the Earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:1); Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book or sing along with it when teaching children about God’s creatures and the creative diversity they demonstrate. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 240

Picture Book: Shoebox Sam

Author: Mary Brigid Barrett

Illustrator: Frank Morrison

Summary: Delia and Jessie spend their Saturdays with Shoebox Sam at his shoe repair shop. There old shoes become like new and anyone in need finds a warm welcome. On the wall are prized ballet shoes, worn by Lucratia Lavidia and repaired by Shoebox Sam years before. After a typical customer, two separate individuals, likely homeless, come in worn and wet from the rain. They are greeted with food and offered new shoes. The latter one, an older lady, asks for prettier shoes than those first offered. Sam has none so she is fitted with some that are “serviceable and warm.” She puts them on and then sees the beautiful ballet shoes. Sam explains who they belonged to and how they are toe shoes for a dancer. She is lured to them and touches them lovingly. Sam is moved and places the shoes in her hands. She wraps them tenderly and exits after expressing her gratitude.

Hanna’s Comments: The summary above may seem sad and poignant, but this is actually a delightful book. Sam and the children’s enthusiasm for the customers and their delight in sharing the food and shoes allow this book to be a perfect demonstration of godly hospitality and generosity.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Zonderkidz, 2011

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, acceptance of others, aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, blessings, brokenness, call/calling/vocation, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, comfort, dance/dancing, difficulties, encouragement, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/talents, God’s nature, God’s will, goodness, helping, homelessness, hospitality, image of God, joy, kindness, nurturing, openness, outreach, passion, pleasing God, possessions, poverty, rain, sacrifice, satisfaction, servant/service/serving, treasure

Scripture Connections: One gives freely, yet grows all the richer (Proverbs 11:24); Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (John 13:3-11); we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)        

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children in a lesson on Jesus washing his disciples’ feet or how God wants us to delight in hospitality and generosity.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 235

Picture Book: I Know a Place

Author: Karen Ackerman

Illustrator: Deborah Kogan Ray

Summary: This book is from the point of view of a school age girl who tells the reader all about what her home uniquely represents to her and why it is so valuable. It’s an exploration of why her home (and the presence of her family) is so comforting and offers such security and stability. Habits, routines, and rituals are mentioned as she describes a typical school day in winter. The illustrations encapsulate a feeling of warmth, love, and coziness.

Hanna’s Comments: The desire, longing, and comforts of home and family are common themes in scripture and religious stories. This book, though its context is far removed from Bible stories, will offer your children the opportunity to consider why home is such an important place in scripture and in their own lives. Making these kinds of connections will help them be more empathetic with those Bible characters who are experiencing home or the longing for home. You can even use this conversation as a starting place before delving into other subjects such as ritual, tradition, homelessness, immigration, hospitality, etc.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Houghton Mifflin, 1992

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: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, attentiveness/observation/seeing, beauty, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, comfort, family, gentleness/meekness, gladness/happiness, God’s care/providence, goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, home, homelessness, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, nurturing, parents/parental love, possessions, security, unity

Scripture Connections: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15); by wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3-4); a house built on a rock shall stand (Matthew 7:24)

Idea(s) for Application: See my comments above regarding some ways you can use this book to explore the important, grounding concepts of home and family.  Then connect your conversation with Bible characters for whom these issues  are compelling such as the Prodigal Son, Mary and Joseph in Egypt, Ruth and Naomi, or those exiled to Babylon. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 234

Picture Book: A Little Peace

Author & Photographer: Barbara Kerley

Summary: This is a collection of photographs of people from various parts of the globe who are enjoying “a little peace.” Images of peace range widely from two English men in the snow tipping their hats to one another to a group of whirling Buddhist monks worshiping in Bhutan and then to an American military doctor cuddling a child who had been caught up in a battle. In the back you’ll find a world map and an explanation of each photo including details and location. The book ends with a note by Richard H. Solomon, President of the United States Institute of Peace.   

Hanna’s Comments: The concept of “peace” can be quite confusing for children. This book offers a variety of visual contexts so that you can explore the meaning of a word that can mean everything from an “overall sense of quiet satisfaction” to a “short lull in hostilities.” The word is used often in religious communities, especially this time of year in the Christian church as it is connected to Advent and Christmas. Check out the other picture books of photographic essays by Barbara Kerley which were offered on PBT Days 71 and 182.

Publisher & Date of Publication: National Geographic, 2007

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

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, attentiveness/observation/seeing, beauty, Earth/world, geography, humanity, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, reverence, satisfaction, security, worship

Scripture Connections: For unto us a child is born… his name shall be called… Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6); Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14); I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. (John 16:33); Now may the lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Idea(s) for Application: For the children in your faith community, invest your time in a discussion about the confusing concept of “peace.” It will help ground them in rich meaning, even if they exit the conversation without being able to verbalize an exact definition of peace.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 232

Picture Book: Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals

Illustrator: Ashley Bryan

Summary: In this picture book, vibrant illustrations are paired with the text of 3 commonly known and loved spirituals: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Multiple verses are given for each song.

Hanna’s Comments: You could use this book in several ways. You could simply read or sing the lyrics of the 3 songs altogether. OR You could read or sing them each on separate occasions to go thematically with your other activities. Musical scores for all 3 are provided in the back. Be sure to show the illustrations at least the first time the children experience this book. Their comprehension of the lyrics’ meanings will be that much richer. If the children in your family of faith don’t know these beloved songs, now’s the time to teach them. Also, you’ll find a note from the illustrator that gives some historical context to spirituals. She ends with a wish: “May the spirit move you to make them (these 3 spirituals) your own.”

Publisher & Date of Publication: Antheneum Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Song Book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, America, choir/music/singing/songs, God’s care/providence, joy, light/morning, response to God, satisfaction, slavery/slaves, worship

Scripture Connections: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord (Psalm 95:1); make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! (Psalm 100:1); addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19); let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Teach these songs to your children so that together they may make a joyful noise in worship. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 92

Picture Book: Glenna Seeds

Author: Nancy Edwards

Illustrator: Sarah K. Hoctor

Summary: Glenna and Amy are walking home carrying packs of seeds given to them on the occasion of garden day at school. Seeing a neighbor’s empty flower pot, Glenna spontaneously leaves a pack of seeds. Glenna’s tiny act of kindness, multiplies across several neighbors as they make wrong assumptions about who gave their anonymous gifts and reciprocate with their own gifts.  

Hanna’s Comments: This inspiring book illustrates how one small gesture of kindness can expand into positive and transformative forces. If you are able to purchase a new book, a pack of seeds may be included. If this book is too complicated for your children, consider reading instead One Good Deed by Terri Fields (illustrator Deborah Melmon). In the back, this book explains the Jewish commandment to do a Mitzvah. The word Mitzvah literally means “commandment” but the word has come to mean doing a good deed.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Child Welfare League of America, 2001

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

# of Pages: 24

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Rare but Worth the Search

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, action, blessings, body of Christ, bonds/connections, communication, community, eggs/seeds, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, flowers/leaves/trees, friends/friendship, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, goodness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, harvest, home, image of God, kindness, neighbors, neighborhood, nurturing, pleasing God/the Shema, possessions, power, relationships, righteousness, sanctification, secrets, sharing, treasure, variety

Scripture Connections: First fruits (Nehemiah 10:35, Proverbs 3:9-10); seed parables (Matthew 13)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children or youth before they do a mission project.