Obsession and Friendship

If your church uses The Revised Common Lectionary for planning your messages, you’ll find that today’s simple story perfectly illustrates verses from one of the selected scriptures for this week, Philippians 2.

Picture Book: We Found a Hat

Author & Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: Two friends on a journey, who happen to be turtles, find a hat -  one hat, two turtles. 

Each tries on the hat, 

and each declares it looks good on the other. 

They know it would be wrong for only one turtle to have the hat. 

Solution: They must leave the hat behind. 

They don't go far. The hat is still in plain site which proves to be really hard for one turtle. 

The two turtles watch the sunset together. 

It is clear that their company is important and this daily event worth their attention. 

But once the sun is down, that one turtle's eyes look back... 

to the hat, a new obsession. 

Both turtles turn and prepare to sleep, one turtle sleepier than the other. 

After a while, a night time excursion is inevitable. 

The sleeping friend is neither far in distance nor far from the thoughts of the secretive turtle. 

Next is a sort of confession. Dreams of owning the hat are declared. But... 

quickly that dream expands to both turtles owning hats and wearing them very well. 

The hat is considered again. What's this hat worth? An important friendship? 

No. 

The turtle returns to the more important relationship and settles in for a good night's sleep. 

Still there is the dream.

Hanna’s Comments: Be sure to point out the eyes as you read to your audience for they are crucial to the story. Klassen is known for his simple but profound books. This book is part of Klassen’s Hat Trilogy, but the stories are not connected - different hats, different animals. This is Not My Hat is about a fish stealing a hat. A great PBT option if you are looking for a book about “Thou shalt not steal.”  I Want My Hat Back offers another great PBT experience for exploring The Parable of the Lost Coin.

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The story of Lot's wife (Genesis 19:15-26); Be of one mind; don’t do anything out of selfishness. (Philippians 2:2-5)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of people of any age and then explore ideas of obsession, selfishness, or greed and how these can harm important friendships and be obstacles to spiritual formation.

PBT Redux Series #6 - One Winter's Day

Today I feature a former post that is one of the newly published treasures of PBT’s 500 plus books. It is for young children, but the themes of generosity and hope are for lifelong learning. Consider this a perfect book for encouraging a lifetime of giving.

Picture Book: One Winter’s Day

Author: M. Christina Butler

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Summary: The wind is blowing hard so that Little Hedgehog’s nest is toppled. He puts on all his winter clothes and heads to Badger’s warm home. Along the way, he meets other animal friends who are shivering in the terribly frigid wind. In his generosity, Little Hedgehog gives his mittens, hat, and scarf to his cold friends. When he reaches Badger’s place, he is covered in ice. Badger greets him, warms him, and listens to his story. After the storm, Little Hedgehog is restored, but he returns home with little hope for his home's restoration. He is surprised to find his home rebuilt, stronger and cozier than ever, by the friends who benefited from his generosity.

Hanna’s Comments: Sometimes PBT stories, like this one for the youngest children, have such mature meaning and relate directly to the scriptures. This is not just a story of generosity and the payback that sometimes comes. It is also a story of the great gift of hospitality in times of need and about a community coming together to help others endure and then recover after a tragedy. The underlying theme is the value of a comfortable home. Young children, more than most, understand the importance of home. They can be encouraged to thank God for their home and their loving generous community. This book can also be viewed as early seeds planted for generosity to come in the young children who hear it.

Want a similar but more comical story for older children? Check out The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Donaldson & Scheffler. In this book, a giant buys new clothes and then begins giving them away.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Good Books, 2006

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

Formats other than Book: Audio CD, there are amateur videos on Youtube.com

Scripture Connections: If anyone wants your coat, give your cloak as well (Matthew 5:40); just as you did it to one of the least of these… (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides encouraging a conversation about generosity and outreach, this book could serve as a useful tool for children who are recuperating from a disaster. After a disaster, talking about what has happened to your family, members of your family of faith, or others in your community can be very healing and motivating. This book also gives hope that homes and lives will be restored.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 284

Picture Book: Mrs. Toggle’s Zipper

Author: Robin Pulver

Illustrator: R.W. Alley

Summary: Poor Mrs. Toggle! The zipper of her puffy winter coat is stuck, and it seems she is destined to wear it all day as she teaches her young students. Also, the thingamajig, as she calls it (the pull-tab from the zipper), is missing. Her students pull with all their collective might, but the coat won’t go past her nose and her students end up in a heap on the floor. The class and Mrs. Toggle get help from the school’s nurse and principal. Each one adds their nonsensical efforts, and together they again attempt to remove the coat, but the result is the same. Finally they ask the janitor, who knows the name of the thingamajig and just what to do. Thankfully, Mrs. Toggle is released. She and her students gladly return to her classroom, and the janitor goes to find a dictionary to look up “thingamajig.”

Hanna’s Comments: There are several subtle jokes in this story that you might want to share with your audience. Note the names of the characters. Also, if Mrs. Toggle’s coat used “toggles” as fasteners instead of a zipper, she would not have a problem. There are three aspects of this story that make it a great PBT book. First, the problem is solved in community, with everyone lending a hand. Secondly, the care and concern for Mrs. Toggle is evident. Thirdly, it is the humble janitor who has the smarts here. He is the hero and his practical problem-solving skills are the reason.

Publisher & Date of Original Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1990

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are amateur videos on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, action, babies/children, body of Christ, brokenness, caring/tending, challenges, clothes/shoes, comfort, community, cooperation, dependence/interdependence, difficulties, education/learning/school, gifts/talents, helping, heroes, humility, mentors/teachers, problems/problem solving, servant/service/servant leadership, unity, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book when you want to talk to children in your faith community about God’s variety of gifts and how God wants us to respect and value all of those gifts and use them together to solve problems. Be sure to emphasize our interdependence on one another.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 271

Picture Book: One Winter’s Day

Author: M. Christina Butler

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Summary: The wind is blowing hard so that Little Hedgehog’s nest is toppled. He puts on all his winter clothes and heads to Badger’s warmer home. Along the way, he meets other animal friends who are shivering in the terribly frigid wind. In his generosity, Little Hedgehog gives his mittens, hat, and scarf to his cold friends. When he reaches Badger’s place, he is covered in ice. Badger greets him, warms him, and listens to his story. After the storm, Little Hedgehog returns to his home with little hope for recovering it. He is surprised to find his home rebuilt, stronger and cozier than ever, by the friends who benefited from his generosity.

Hanna’s Comments: Sometimes stories for the youngest children have such mature meaning and relate directly to the scriptures. This is not just a story of generosity and the payback that sometimes comes. It is also about a community coming together to help others endure and then recover after a storm.

Want a similar but more comical story for older children? Check out The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Donaldson & Scheffler. In this book, a giant buys new clothes and then begins giving them away.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Good Books, 2006

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

# of Pages: 28

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio CD, There are amateur videos on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: body of Christ, caring/tending, clothes/shoes, comfort, community, difficulties, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, helping, heroes, home, homelessness, humility, image of God, intercession, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, kindness, kingdom of God/reign of God, love, manna, neighbors, neighborhood, nurturing, outreach, perseverance, possessions, poverty, righteousness, risking, sacrifice, safe place/sanctuary, security, sharing, snow, storms, tragedy, unity, weather

Scripture Connections: If anyone wants your coat, give your cloak as well (Matthew 5:40); just as you did it to one of the least of these (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides encouraging a conversation about generosity and outreach, this book could serve as a useful tool for children who are recuperating from a disaster. After a disaster, talking about what has happened to your family, members of your family of faith, or others in your community can be very healing and motivating.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 261

Picture Book: Sky Sash So Blue

Author: Libby Hathorn

Illustrator: Benny Andrews

Summary: The sky blue sash of the title is a piece of silky fabric that Susannah, a young slave girl, keeps hidden. It was a gift from Ma’am, gleaned from the items tossed away at the Big House. Susannah plays with the sash while anticipating wearing it at her sister Sissy’s wedding and the freedom the new groom hopes to purchase for all three family members: first the bride to be, then Ma’am and Susannah. Meanwhile, Ma’am is frantically collecting bits of fabric to piece together for Sissy’s wedding dress. A white sheet is scorched, and Ma’am is thrilled when Missus orders her to cut it up for rags. The cuts Ma’am makes are carefully planned to finish the wedding dress. Because the Missus sees no point in allowing a preacher for the wedding, Ma’am must officiate. When Sissy is leaving with her groom, Susannah offers her the blue sash. Sissy refuses, but Ma’am insists so that it can serve as a reminder of Ma’am and Susannah and their promised freedom. Later, the Missus asks about the rags from the scorched sheet. In tears Ma’am disassembles the wedding dress and returns the pieces to the Big House. Ironically, the various pieces when used at the Big House serve as a rebellious remembrance of the wedding and their freedom to come. The story ends with Ma'am telling Susannah of the “overall” dress she will make her one day and a new dress she must make for Sissy, a waiting dress for there will be a baby born free!

Hanna’s Comments: The transformation of fabric scraps into art is the overall metaphor of this book and the beauty of the illustrations. Although it is a complicated story in verse, it is worth the effort. Share it with listeners who have the maturity to understand the symbolism and the transformative power of symbolic objects such as scraps of fabric used to make a wedding dress. Use this book to talk about faith, hope, and transformation, even in the most difficult times. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1998

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2^nd 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: abuse/abuse of power, acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, America, art, aspirations/dreams, beauty, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, caring/tending, challenges, clothes/shoes, collections, commitment, conformity, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, cruelty, difficulties, family, gifts/talents, hope, labor/work, marriage, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, mothers, parents/parental love, patience, poverty, preparation, race relations/racism, secrets, slavery/slaves, transformation, treasure, waiting

Scripture Connections: The marriages of Jacob (Genesis 29); Dorcas/Tabitha’s good works (Acts 9:36)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a circle of women in your faith community. Then talk about the symbolic and transformative power of objects.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 196

Picture Book: Each Kindness               

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Summary: A new girl, Maya, enters school, but Chloe and her friends won’t play with her because of the way she’s dressed. Eventually Maya no longer comes to school, then she moves away, but she is remembered by Chloe when their teacher gives a lesson on how each kindness that is bestowed makes the world better. The teacher uses a bowl of water and stones to illustrate this concept, focusing on the water ripples that spread. Chloe reflects on this idea and realizes her lost opportunities for kindness toward Maya and for friendship.

Hanna’s Comments: Consider this book a hint of things to come. Within the pages of this book about shunning and cruelty is a subtle anti-bullying message. You might not recognize it as bullying since there is no physical aggression or obvious taunting, but girls often bully in different ways than boys. Bullying in the manner of boys gets the most media attention. Girls bully with deliberate and calculated alienation and subtle insults. That’s what happens in this story and too often in communities of faith, both at places of worship and in religious schools, where breaking down the barriers of cliques can be especially hard. This is true despite scriptural exhortations to be hospitable. If your faith community struggles with this issue, consider focusing on an anti-bullying message and how it is in conflict with your faith values. The week of November 16 is Anti-bullying month here in the USA. Look for a focus on that issue in the PBT offerings the week before (November 9/Day 204 through November 15/Day 210). Meanwhile, you can check out www.bullyingawarenessweek.org .

Publisher & Date of Publication: Penguin, 2012

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio book

PBT Category: Award, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, brokenness, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, communication, community, confession, conformity, consequences/punishment, cruelty, differences, emotions/feelings, evangelism, exile/separation/walls, friends/friendship, golden rule/great commandment, greed/selfishness, guilt, hospitality, injustice, mistakes, new school, outsiders, peer pressure, poverty, power, prejudice, regret/repentance, relationships, sin, victims

Scripture Connections: Let the words of my mouth... be acceptable to Your heart (Psalm 19:14); death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:22); what comes out of the mouth defiles a person (Matthew 15:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Teach the children in your faith community the prayer usually attributed to King David (Psalm 19:14) and talk about how words can welcome, hurt, and heal in powerful ways.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 160

Picture Book: Squeak’s Good Idea

Author: Max Eilenberg

Illustrator: Patrick Benson

Summary: Squeak’s good idea is to go outside. No one else in his family is interested, but he’s willing to go it alone. Because he is a cautious fellow and in case the weather turns bad, he puts on his mittens, jacket, scarf, hat, raincoat, warm pants, extra socks, and carries an umbrella. He thinks he might get hungry so he packs a picnic lunch. It takes him a while, but finally he is ready. In his bundled state, he steps outside and slowly discovers the beauty of nature and the fine weather so he peels off his extra clothes. About that time, his family joins him for the picnic. He’s prepared enough food for all of them. “It’s lucky to be on the safe side,” Squeak declares. They all agree.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a silly story of over preparation and the daring of a young character to risk going into the unknown alone even if that unknown is just outside his house. You can’t help but love Squeak’s caution and determination. I’m glad he gets affirmed by his family in the end. He obviously wanted them to come with him all along, but he still ventured outside on his own.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2001

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, adventure, affirmation, anxiety/worry, armor, bravery/courage, clothes/shoes, comfort, commitment, the environment/nature, family, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, God’s presence, journeys/pilgrimages/migrations/quests, joy, mission, perseverance, preparation/preparing, presence, protecting/protection, rain, risking, security, weather   

Scripture Connections: God’s presence with the Israelites (Exodus 33:14); the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18); I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a perfect book to read when teaching the “whole armor of God” verses in Ephesians or the broader concept of the Holy One being present with us at all times, no matter where we venture. 

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 112

Picture Book: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Author & Illustrator: Simms Taback

Summary: Like this picture book, Joseph’s little overcoat has several holes. Each time the cloth becomes old and worn, Joseph transforms the article of clothing into a smaller but useful object. The holes (die-cuts) in the book give a hint as to what that object might be. Throughout this picture book are interesting Yiddish objects to consider while you admire Joseph’s innovations. Eventually when the least bit of the original coat is lost, Joseph, unfazed by his loss, simply creates a picture book about it! This book is based on a beloved Yiddish folksong.

Hanna’s Comments: This story offers an apparent connection to Joseph of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) whose coat of many colors was the symbol of his father’s favoritism and his brothers’ jealousy. Though the protagonist is obviously Jewish, this is not that Joseph. Reading this story while studying the biblical Joseph would allow you to make these connections: Joseph of old managed to transform a series of dire circumstances and eventually save his family just as this more recent Joseph transforms his worn clothing into something useful. The two characters share several attributes such as resilience and faith in their God-given gifts. Have fun with the repeated text and see if before you turn the page the children can anticipate how Joseph has adapted his cloth each time. A newer version of this Yiddish tale was published in 2014 in traditional picture book form (no holes). That title is My Grandfather's Coat. The author is Jim Aylesworth; its illustrator is Barbara McClintock.     

Publisher & Date of Publication: Viking, 1999                                                              

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

# of Pages: 32                                                                                               

Available in Spanish? Not at present, but there is a video version of a Spanish version (see below)                                                                           

Formats other than Book: Audio cassette, In the video collection: Strega Nona and Other Caldecott Award-winning Folk Tales (English & Spanish versions)                                                      

PBT Category: Award Winner (Caldecott Medal), Pre 2K       

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, art, change, clothes/shoes, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, gifts/giftedness/talents, image of God, individuality/ingenuity, labor/work, possessions, poverty, problems/problem solving, renewal/restoration, righteousness, satisfaction, time/timing/over time, transformation, treasure, wisdom                               

Scripture Connections: Joseph’s coat (Genesis 37); if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

Idea(s) for Application: In addition to a lesson on the biblical Joseph’s coat, this would be a wonderful book to help children discuss the spiritual concept of transformation over time and through hardship. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 74

Picture Book: The Fisherwoman

Author: Anne Carter

Illustrator: Louise Brierley

Summary: Maud, a fisherwoman, has a simple life earning her living from the sea, but her dream is to be adorned in beautiful clothes among the rich in the nearby village. When she hauls in an old pink vase, she brings it home. Eventually the vase gives her the dream she desires, a beautiful hat, shoes, and dress. Soon she is invited to feast among the rich. At first she is delighted, but when she overhears a fellow diner ridicule the common people, she is revolted. Realizing she belongs in her former world with her friends and work, she returns home, re-purposes her dress for a sail, and drops the vase into the sea.

Hanna’s Comments: This modern fairy tale has a keen lesson for those of us in religious communities who worry about how we look, rather than being content with the riches that our friends, family, work, and faith offer us.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1990

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

# of Pages: 26

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: beach/ocean/seashore, call/calling/vocation, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, consumerism/consumption/riches, coveting/envy/jealousy, dreams/aspirations, exclusion/inclusion, fish/fishing, flowers/leaves/tree, found, greed/selfishness, guilt, humility, judgment/judges/judging, labor/work, perspective, possessions,  prejudice, pride, regret/repentance, resisting evil, righteousness, satisfaction, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, sin, at table, temptations, wishes

Scripture Connections: Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things (Psalm 119:37); When pride comes, then comes disgrace (Proverbs 11:2); the Publican in the temple (Luke 18:9-12); do nothing from rivalry or conceit (Philippians 2:3) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a lesson on the sins of pride and vanity.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 18

Picture Book: A Good Trade

Author: Alma Fullerton

Illustrator: Karen Patkau

Summary: Kato is a Ugandan boy who must trek far each day in his bare feet for water at the village well. On his way home with a heavy load, he notices 2 things: the aid worker’s truck with a treasure (a load of shoes) and a beautiful flower that he can use to trade for a pair of shoes. All the children dance in celebration after receiving their new shoes. Then the aid worker drives away pleased with the flower on her dashboard.

Hanna’s Comments: The beauty and simplicity of this story allows young listeners to appropriately learn some of the hard truths about how some children in our world live in dire circumstances. I suggest pairing this story with information on actual missionary work that is being done in Uganda/Central Africa. I have written such a lesson that includes fun activities as well. Contact me via e-mail if you would like to purchase it.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Pajama Press, 2013

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Not at present

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: Africa, attentiveness/ observation/seeing, beauty, blessings, clothes/shoes, commitment, dance/dancing, drink/thirst, flowers/leaves/trees, found, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, gladness/happiness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, journeys/pilgrimages/migration/quests, joy, labor/work, outreach, patience, perseverance, poverty, sacrifice, servanthood/service/serving, steadfastness, treasure, water

Scripture Connections: my soul thirst for you… as in a dry & weary land (Psalm 63:1), water on the thirsty land (Isaiah 44:3), the woman at the well (John 4:4-42)out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38)

Idea(s) for Application: a children’s lesson on foreign missionaries in Africa particularly with regards to access to clean water or the need for shoes