Godly Silence for Everyone

 

Picture Book: Shhh… God is in the Silence:                                                                     A Story for All Ages

Author: Fiona Basile

Illustrator: Alice Mount

Summary: This is a book of shushes and questions. Every page begins "Shhh... God is in the silence. Can you here him?" 

What follows is a series of statements declaring this ideas repeatedly:

God speaks to your heart, saying...

I love you.

You are precious.

There is no one else like you.

I created you.

You are mine.

I am with you always.

Next, it declares that God lives in your heart, and adds to the reassurances above: You are safe so rest little one.

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful book gets to the heart of what children and families need today: silence and a sense of God's presence. The subtitle declares this is a story (book) for all ages, and surely it is! 

If you prefer to avoid masculine language for God, simply change the text. Sticky notes are helpful for this. 

This book has its own website. Click: here to check it out. You can order the book, while finding activities and instructions on teaching children how to pray. These methods could easily be adapted for adults or teens. I especially liked this: Personal Noise Survey

Original Publisher & Date: Loyola  Press, 2016

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present, but there is a bilingual (Spanish & English) edition of the book.

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about silence, such as Psalm 46:10 (mentioned below) and Elijah's experience of God in the silence (1 Kings 19), connects strongly to this book.

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I listed this book in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum for a summer lesson in Year C (theme: Be Still) based on Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

PBT Applications: This book would be perfect to read to a group of parents of young children. You might want to leave out the "little one" endearment. Then have them brainstorm ways to be in relative silence with their children while modeling mindful experiences of God's presence. For young children, you may want to read only a few pages and show all the images. With each illustration, encourage their responses about God in those images. For teens, you may want to simply read the text since the images are of young children, but the questions are intriguing for any age.

If you are interested in learning about Trinity Treasures, a scripture-based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you fill out the monthly feedback form.

Pointing Fingers & Name Calling

I'm a little late this week. I’ve moved my daughter to Cleveland to join Teach for America. I’ll be visiting her now and then so if your church or your church-based school is in that general area and interested in a PBT workshop, I’d love to come your way. Teaching is one of my joys and strengths. Contact me to the left, and we’ll work out the details. I’m willing to travel outside of Cleveland too if you’re willing to pay my driving expenses. Today’s book is so fun and profound and very human with lots of scripture connections!

Picture Book: You Are (Not) Small

Authors: Anna Kang

Illustrator: Christopher Weyant

Summary: This story begins with a pointed finger and judgement...

that quickly rebounds.

Perhaps there is comfort in a crowd, but peers sometimes encourage more arrogance and ignorance and...

aggression. 

Arrogance, ignorance, and aggression. How these very human inclinations change everything. 

What could have started as loving diverse community  

has to get through some violence     

and surprises 

 before understanding is expanded

 and connections are made. 

But these characters don't learn any quicker 

 than humans do.

Hanna’s Comments:  If you are struggling with name-calling and teasing among the children/youth in your church, here's a book for you! Spend some time on the feelings of all parties and invite some story sharing. Make scriptural connections, in a non-judgmental way of course, and then apply to your community, Christianity in general, and even your present political environment. Remind them of the inherent worth of every individual as a child of God, imaged in the divine. Don't want to talk about the nastiness of politics or racism at church? Your kids may be soaking it up already. If they see such attitudes in the church community or spiritual leaders, their confusion is inevitable and their role models may be scarce. Be careful to talk about aspects of respect and love in diverse community without drawing divisive political lines. This may be the first opportunity children/youth experience this. As for adult programming, here's a quick intro to a conversation on The Fruit of the Spirit when in boundary-crossing dialogue. This book is the first in a series that includes That’s (Not) Mine, I Am (Not) Scared, and We Are (Not) Friends. These you can get separately or in a boxed set. There’s even a growth chart, activity guide, and Common Core guide to go with this title!

Original Publisher & Date: Two Lions, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: All humans are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27); Do not judge so that you will not be judged (Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37); ...in passing judgement on another, you condemn yourselves. (Romans 2:1); There is neither Jew nor Greek... (Romans 3:28); The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); Do not speak evil against another (James 4:11); ...encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14b)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to any age. Focus on the judgmental nature of humans and how Jesus and the early Christian community warned us against this. 

PBT Redux #26 - Flossie and the Fox

Picture Book: Flossie & the Fox
Author: Patricia McKissack
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Summary: In rich dialect, McKissack offers a folktale from her story-telling grandfather. Big Mama asks young Flossie to deliver some eggs to the neighboring farm. Flossie begins her journey wondering what a fox looks like. When Fox introduces himself hoping for the eggs, he is puzzled that the little girl isn't afraid. Flossie insists she'll not be afraid until Fox offers proof that he is indeed a fox. Fox's pride is hurt so he lists all the reasons he is a fox. For each argument, Flossie insists that Fox is instead another animal. Eventually, Flossie lures Fox to the road where a neighbor's hound is waiting. As Fox runs from the hound, Flossie confesses that she recognized Fox all along. She heads toward the neighbor's farm with the eggs, having outfoxed the fox.

Hanna’s Comments: I love a tale with a smart female at the center! Her youth is an additional benefit. Even young children will identify with her. Consider steering your audience’s conversation towards issues of bravery and intelligence in the face of evil. Then take Fox's point of view and talk about how temptation and pride lure us into trouble. Flossie handles her fears cunningly, but the fox’s greed and pride tempt him to wander into a dangerous situation. 
Publisher & Date of Publication: Dial Books, 1986
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Eve’s conversation with the snake (Genesis 3); Be strong and courageous… for the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)
Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this picture book when teaching the story of Eve’s temptation by the snake in Genesis. Draw connections between the fox’s pride and Eve’s pride. Praise Flossie’s self-determination and cleverness.

Favorite PBT Posts: The 1st Crayon Book!

Crayons are something special for adults! Like picture books, they tap into feelings of nostalgia or a simpler time. A big box of 64 is a metaphor for the breadth of creativity and possibility that I wish I hadn't left behind in childhood. 

The author/illustrator duo, whose books are featured below and on Monday, offer a new (and clever) way to think about crayons. This is one of my favorite PBT posts and very timely given the Times Up Movement! The book's sequel will be re-posted next time. Enjoy!

Picture Book: The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers 

Summary: When Duncan pulls out his crayons at school, he finds a stack of letters instead. 

Each crayon has written him a letter of complaint. Here are a few of the hilarious examples: 

The red crayon is working too hard, not even getting off for Christmas!

The white crayon is used mainly on white paper so it feels misused and empty. 

The black crayon is only used to draw the outline of things. It’s not fair! The pink crayon hasn’t been used once! You can guess why. 

After all the letters are read, Duncan turns in a new piece of art that is very different from his usual productions. The result is unique and praised by the teacher. Clearly the crayons have been heard and change is the result.

Hanna’s Comments: Immediately, I saw 2 ways this clever book can be connected to scripture. I'm sure there are others. My first reaction was to focus on the tone of these letters. The Psalms are full of complaints, called lamentations. A lesson on this kind of prayer can be very eye-opening for children and adults. The fun of the crayons balances the negative emotions you are exploring. Secondly, I thought about the biblical prophets and the phrase “speaking truth to power.” Sometimes the right words to the right people can bring forth positive change with regards to injustice, neglect, or inefficient systems. That’s what happens in this book and that's what drives positive change, like justice movements. Justice is one of the priorities of most religions in the world. Keep in mind that there is a lot of text in this book. I suggest reading a few crayons' letters per sitting if your children are easily distracted. You could do a whole series of lessons or a week of arts camp with the ideas in this book and its sequel. The new book is about a different group of crayons that Duncan abandoned. They want him to rescue them. Sounds pretty biblical too! It’s called The Day the Crayons Came Home. Comment added later: Since the great popularity of this series, there are several products that you can purchase. This one really peaked my interest. 

Original Publisher & Date: Philomel, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Available in Spanish: Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: I pour out my complaint before God, I tell my trouble before God (Psalm 142:2) – search on Google “psalms of complaint" for more options; What does the Lord require of you but to do justice… (Micah 6:8); other scriptures or biblical stories about speaking truth to power

Idea(s) for Application: Read this fun book and it's sequel to a group of children, teens, or adults in lessons on psalms of complaint or speaking truth to power when doing justice. 

PBT Redux Series #10 - Yo! Yes?

It’s time for another repeated post about 1 of the 600 or so picture books I’ve featured here at PBT the last 3 years. Yo! Yes? was featured in the early days of this PBT website when I offered A Picture Book a Day for a Year. This book is amazing for its mass appeal. Because it has so few words, young children will understand it. And the subtleties of language (verbal & especially nonverbal) and focus on hospitality make it worthy of a spiritual conversation for children of any age.

I’m not including it in my PBT Grab & Go Series because using it in ministry will require you to spend some time deciding what aspects of the spiritual practice of hospitality you will want to highlight and how to connect them to the words and illustrations. This book is one of many PBT books in which I’ve written lessons suitable for age 4 through 11. Let me know via a comment if you’re interested in purchasing that lesson or seeing a list of other books with lessons. I charge only $4 per lesson (sent electronically).

Picture Book: Yo! Yes?

Author & Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Summary: A light-skinned boy, who is dressed up, passes a dark-skinned boy who is willing to risk a conversation. “Yo!” he says. The passing boy says, “Yes?” and their relationship begins. Cleverly, their conversation is rich in meaning even though it is comprised of only 1 or 2 word interactions, only 34 unique words in all!

Hanna’s Comments: The risks of initial interaction and the building of friendship are the themes here. The professional video of this book (check your library) is particularly appealing because music and a basketball are added. Also, the gestures of the two characters and their intonation help you interpret the simple conversation. It’s amazing how so few words can evoke hospitality, timidity, trust, and satisfaction leading to a budding friendship. Note that despite their different races, postures, and dress, their relationship blossoms. You might want to consider having the children act out the story several times since the conversation is so simple and fun. If you’re looking for a Spanish language book, this book could be easily translated because it has so few words. Consider having two languages in your reading, the dark-skinned character speaking English and the lighter-skinned character speaking Spanish. Homeschool or private school teachers, pay attention to the end marks of each sentence. There’s potential for a basic punctuation lesson here.

PBT Lesson Available: I've written a church lesson for children based on this book. Contact me via a comment if you're interested in purchasing it for just $4!

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 1993

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

Formats other than Book: Video, Audible, Audio CD

Scripture Connections: Jesus and the bent-over woman (Luke 13:10-17); Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

Idea(s) for Application: I think this book connects well with 2 gospel stories (listed above) in which Jesus initiates interactions with outsiders. Use this book when considering themes of initiating relationships in your faith community, especially with those who are different or on the outside. 

PBT Techniques Series #2 - Choosing Portions

Choosing Portions of a Picture Book 

Today I offer the 2^nd post in a new PBT series about atypical methods for using picture books in ministry. I hope to stretch possibilities for you. If you have other ideas, please share them in a comment!

Using only portions of a picture book story or illustration is what I’m proposing today. When might you do this?

-When a picture book is too long. That is the case of the book I feature below.

-When you are in the midst of a lesson and you’re about to run out of time.

-When a small portion of a picture book (a sub story, a particular scene, or an amazing illustration) is significantly better than the rest of the book.

 Picture Book: One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of WWII

Author & Illustrator: Lita Judge

Summary: This beautiful book is about the author-illustrator’s family who responded to suffering in Europe after WWII. Judge learned of this story after discovering hundreds of tracings of feet in her grandparents’ attic. The old story, from a young girl’s point of view, begins with a letter from friends in Germany who are starving. 

Judge’s family sends food, clothes, and shoes. In another letter, the recipients thank them, urge them to help others, and include tracings of feet from 10 families. 

More letters follow with tracings of feet enclosed. Judge’s family asks others to help. They translate and mail the letters to friends who also respond generously with shoes that will fit, sometimes going without shoes for the summer. 

Meanwhile, socks are knitted and a rag doll is sewn and sent. 

The doll’s new owner sends a thank you with a photo of herself. Other photos appear throughout this book as does beautiful collage. 

The text is divided into many small chapters highlighting themes that describe the poignancy of many stories and the sacrifice of Judge’s family, friends, and neighbors.

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book would be too much information for a group to hear all at once. Read the first few pages and then pre-select the chapters and illustrations that your audience will most likely respond to. I like to use Post-it Notes and paper clips to mark pages. Consider inviting someone in your family of faith who remembers WWII to come and be interviewed by you. Steer your questions to emphasize the Biblical theme you have chosen to connect with this book. There are many possibilities. It's best to give your guest the questions ahead of time. After the book is presented and your friend is interviewed, read your chosen scripture. Then close with a prayer.

Original Publisher & Date: Hyperion, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17); when you serve the least, you serve Jesus (Matthew 25); give to the needy (Luke 12: 33); Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (John 13:4-14).

Idea(s) for Application: Read portions of this book during a lesson on generosity, responses to poverty, or Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.

Crayons Speak Truth to Power

Picture Book: The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers 

Summary: When Duncan pulls out his crayons at school, he finds a stack of letters instead. 

Each crayon has written him a letter of complaint. Here are a few of the hilarious examples: 

The red crayon is working too hard, not even getting off for Christmas. 

The white crayon is used mainly on white paper so it feels misused and empty. 

The black crayon is only used to draw the outline of things. It’s not fair! The pink crayon hasn’t been used once! You can guess why. 

After all the letters are read, Duncan turns in a new piece of art that is very different from his usual productions. The result is unique and praised by the teacher. Clearly the crayons have been heard and change is the result.

Hanna’s Comments: I see 2 ways this clever book can be connected to scripture. My first reaction was to focus on the tone of these letters. The Psalms are full of complaints, called lamentations. Doing a lesson on this kind of prayer can be very eye-opening for children and adults. Secondly, I thought about the phrase “speaking truth to power.” Sometimes the right words, to the right people can bring forth positive change with regards to injustice, neglect, or inefficient systems. That’s what happens in this book and that's what drives positive change, like justice movements. Justice is one of the priorities of most religions in the world. Keep in mind that there is a lot of text in this book. I suggest reading a few crayon’s letters per sitting if your children are easily distracted. There’s a new sequel to this book. It’s about a new group of crayons that wants Duncan to rescue them. It should offer some great PBT options too. It’s called The Day the Crayons Came Home.

Original Publisher & Date: Philomel, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Available in Spanish: Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: I pour out my complaint before God, I tell my trouble before God (Psalm 142:2) – just google “psalms of complaint" for more options; What does the Lord require of you but to do justice… (Micah 6:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this fun book to a group of children, teens, or adults in a lesson on psalms of complaint or speaking truth to power when doing justice. 

Talk God, please!

Picture Book: Talk Oscar, Please!

Author: Karen Kaufman Orloff

Illustrator: Tim Bowers

Summary: This short comedy has a young boy imagining how fabulous life would be if his dog Oscar could talk. 

They would share so much, like school and soccer. 

Oscar could crack jokes or be on a quiz show. 

At the vet, Oscar would be able to explain any problems. 

At night Oscar could sing a lullaby. And when apart, they could chat on the phone. 

The last page has the boy realizing that he does sometimes feel like he knows what Oscar is saying, simply because Oscar’s his best friend.

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then, I read a book where the God-figure is so clear it makes me wonder if the author had an inkling of the book’s theological possibilities. This is one of those books. The boy’s desires for Oscar to talk are so similar to our human desires for God’s direction, problem-solving, quick comfort, our purposes, and even entertainment. The text here is poetry so practice reading for good effect from the rhythm and the clever rhymes. Enjoy the book first, then slowly prompt your audience (it could be adults) to consider how the boy’s desires parallel our desires for God. The last page is key in this discussion. Like so many PBT lessons, you may be very surprised where this conversation takes you.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Delight in the Lord and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4); if you call out for insight… then you will find knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:3-5); you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, teens, or adults and then talk about our human desires for God to respond in human ways and how we might better gain insight into what God desires for us.