Singing Praise is for the Birds

Picture Book: Sing…Sing a Song

Lyrics: Joe Raposa

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld 

Summary: Today’s PBT book is an illustrated version of a song first sung on Sesame Street and made popular by The Carpenters. 

Three tiny birds are happy in a nest. 

Green Bird sings (green notes) 

and flies away. 

Orange Bird does the same (with orange notes). 

But when Purple Bird tries…

And tries again.

The disappointment is too much, 

it stays put and falls asleep.

Later a boy with his guitar 

joins the sleeping Purple Bird and begins singing, 

singing out loud 

and strong! 

The nest is lifted by the forceful song, 

Purple Bird gets awakened, surprised, displaced and inspired. 

It's birdsong comes spontaneously 

and Purple Bird is off to find it’s companions. 

Once reunited, 

all sing together (green, orange, AND purple notes)! 

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect book to explore with young children the spiritual practice of praising God. During or after your reading, talk about how God is always pleased whenever we sing, no matter how well we sing. Point out that singing is a common way to praise God, not just in a place of worship but anywhere and anytime. Teach your children this simple song. The lyrics (in English and Spanish) are in the back and you could have your children sing along with some professionals.  [Here] you’ll find a video of the song being sung by Nathan Lane and friends on Sesame Street. Don’t like this video? You’ll find many others online. You'll also find a page about the history of this song. Here at PBT, I have featured several “song books,” picture books that are simply illustrated lyrics to a familiar song. To find other song books, simply click on the word “songs” which you’ll find in the search engine at the bottom of the screen on the web version. You’ll be taken to those books as well as a few others that are about singing. You can do the same with the word "praise" to find several other PBT books that connect to that worship practice. 

Original Publisher & Date: Henry Holt & Co., 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! (Psalm 100:1); how good it is to sing praises to our God (Psalm 147:1); Do not worry about your life…look at the birds of the air (Matthew 6:25-26)

Idea(s) for Application: Feature this book in a lesson about singing as praise to God. Talk about how such an act pleases God and can sustain us and affirm our abilities even when they seem lacking. Also, explore Purple Bird’s struggle for this is also a book about perseverance, self-expression, and the power of music to heal.

Bicycle Generosity & Hospitality

I’m going to step away from the PBT blog series of theological statements for young children and highlight a book for children who are a little older. I’ll get back to the series with my next post. 

I look forward to Alma Fullerton’s new books for she always offers a glimpse into a world far away from me and the children that I work with and yet, she makes obvious connections that all children can enjoy.

In this beautiful book, her main character, Anna, is a young girl in Tanzania who is having difficulty in school because her walk to and from school is so lengthy she has no daylight at home to do homework. 

At school while Anna is studying during lunch break, the bicycle library comes. This is simply a pick-up truck with bikes in it for the children to borrow for a time. 

There are not enough bikes for Anna to have one. Despite her disappointment, her generous heart has her helping her friends learn to ride and encouraging those friends who are having trouble.

Anna’s journey home takes much less time because she runs beside one bike and then rides with other bikers. When the last boy reaches his home, he suggests that she ride on to her home. They make plans for Anna to pick him up in the morning for school.

There are so many important values and concepts that you could emphasize here in a lesson for children in your family of faith: perseverance in difficult circumstances, generosity despite disappointment, hospitality in sharing our gifts, and coming together with friends to make a situation better. In Christianity we like to call that last one The Body of Christ.

The Author’s Note in the back explains about the need for bikes in much of Africa and lists several organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other countries. If you’re near one of these organizations, you may want to have your children organize a bike drive in your faith community.

Picture Book: In a Cloud of Dust

Author: Alma Fullerton

Illustrator: Brian Deines

Original Publisher & Date: Pajama Press, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Another one of my favorite Alma Fullerton books is A Good Trade, featured on PBT on 5/7/14. I’ve created a lesson about missions based on it for elementary aged children. I sell that lesson here on PBT for only $5. Just contact me via email to receive it.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 321

Picture Book: Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: “When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad, you should do what I do! Just tell yourself, Ducky, you’re really quite lucky.” Thus begins a song sung by an old man that the young narrator meets in the Desert of Drize. The old man goes on to tell the boy of the places and people he should be glad he is not, delightfully describing miserable situations that only Dr. Seuss could dream up, such as the man who has to paint flag poles or the creature whose tail is in knots. Then there are those who mow the fast-growing grass, the T-crosser and I-dotter, and the folks who live near the perilous pants-eating plants! The young man is as lucky, as lucky can be.

Hanna’s Comments: Optimism, Affirmation, Gratitude, and Hope. These are all spiritual orientations that connect with this book. Positive psychology tells us that these attributes also build our capacity for resilience which is what we all want for ourselves and our children when life throws us a whammy. Realizing that circumstances could always be worse is comforting and so is noticing how others seem to be suffering more. Perhaps this is selfish. It is definitely human. Dr. Seuss allows us to accept this aspect of our humanity and have fun with it. Do discuss with your audience how it is usually best to keep these thoughts to ourselves. No one likes to hear it when they are on the worse end of a comparison either. Those who are in the midst of their pain don’t want to hear how lucky they are, but eventually a healthy person will realize that there is grace in all circumstances and a kind of healing comes eventually.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1973

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

# of Pages: 64

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio, A video is available on Youtube.com. Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, affirmation, blessings, difficulties, disappointment, encouragement, grace, gratitude/thanksgiving, hope, humanity, perspective, reassurance, tragedy, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23); for those who love God, all things work together for good (Romans 8:28); I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13); give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book when talking about how there is grace in every situation and some kind of healing comes. Realizing this can help us deal with difficult circumstances and rely on God. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 316

Picture Book: Pete’s a Pizza

Author & Illustrator: William Steig

Summary: Pete is disappointed that it’s raining because he was looking forward to playing baseball with his friends. His father sees his disappointment and decides to lovingly distract Pete by making him into a pizza. When Pete’s father picks him up and places him on a table, Pete remains straight as a board (or a pizza pan). Obviously, the two have played this pretend game before! Pete’s father pretends through the various stages of pizza-making with Pete playing the part of the silent dough. Pete is kneaded, and substitute ingredients (paper shreds for cheese) are placed on him. Pete’s mother plays along in silence. Pete’s ticklishness leads to a quick break from character, but mostly he remains still, silent, and pizza-like. After being placed in the oven (on the couch) and then hand-sliced into pieces, the pizza gets up and runs way. The pizza maker chases the pizza until it is captured and hugged.  Meanwhile, the sun has come out so the pizza goes outside to look for his friends.

Hanna’s Comments: I have loved this book since the first time I read it many years ago! While reading, I suggest you frequently ask the question, “Who’s a pizza?” and then wait for your audience’s loud response. After reading this story to young children, I urge you to do your own pretend play of the stages of pizza-making with a volunteer from your audience. You may find yourself pretending to make many pizzas as each listener wants to join in the fun. How does such a silly book offer a faith lesson? It’s really quite simple. Pete’s father is a metaphor for God. I believe God sees our disappointments and lovingly interjects distractions, often in the form of others who love us. If this idea is too abstract for your children, talk about how God is the source of the love Pete’s parents demonstrate here. Loving, godly distractions help us through pain or heartache so that healing can begin. The best of those distractions come in the form of God’s loving humor and eventually, the sun does come out, circumstances change, or healing has brought us to a new place. If you explain this idea well, children will get it, and their perspective on how God loves us will be expanded, which in my view, is always a good thing.    

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1998

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

# of Pages: 34

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: video on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, blessings, brokenness, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, disappointment, emotions/feelings, family, fathers, God’s nature, healing/health care, image of God, joy, love, parents/parental love, play, renewal/restoration

Scripture Connections: Oh Lord, you have searched me and known me! (Psalm 139:1); Behold, I am making all things new (Revelation 21:5); If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of young children when teaching them about God’s loving ways particularly when we are disappointed by life’s circumstances.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 280

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: The Missing Piece Meets The Big O

Author & Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Summary: “The piece sat alone, waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere.”  Many come along, but they are not the right fit or situation. The simple illustrations make this comically clear. The Missing Piece tries to be more attractive, but those plans fail. Then it meets someone who is different, The Big O, a perfect circle with nothing missing. When asked to roll with The Missing Piece, The Big O explains that there is no place for The Missing Piece to fit, but “perhaps you can roll by yourself.” The Missing Piece argues that it is not shaped for rolling. The Big O says, “Corners wear off… shapes change.” The Missing Piece tries it with a strenuous lift and a flop. Sure enough, it works again and again until its corners do begin to wear and its shape changes. Eventually, The Missing Piece, becomes a circle and rolls right up to the Big O. Then they roll together.

Hanna’s Comments: Please note the comments in the 1^st book in this PBT Dynamic Duo offered yesterday (Day 279). Most suggestions apply here too. Like its predecessor, this book can be interpreted in many ways. The pair of these books also offer a good opportunity to consider empathy and perspective taking. In the reading of The Missing Piece, did your listener’s consider the perspectives of the pieces that were rejected and accepted? This second book offers one possibility. In The Missing Piece Meets The Big O, encourage your audience to empathize with the circles too, especially The Big O.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 1981

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

# of Pages: 104

Available in Spanish? Amazon.com did not have it available in Spanish though it may be available somewhere. It is available in Chinese and Korean on Amazon.com.

Formats other than Book: Video versions are on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, action, adventure, aspirations/dreams, bravery/courage, brokenness, challenges, change, companionship, dependence/interdependence, differences, difficulties, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, disappointment, diversity, encouragement, freedom, free will, growing up/growth, insecurity, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, loneliness, mentors/teachers, patience, perseverance, power, problems/problem solving, risking, satisfaction, self-control, self-discovery, transformation, travel, waiting, wisdom, wishes

Scripture Connections: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17); you were called to freedom (Galatians 5:13); live as people who are free (1 Peter 2:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this book and The Missing Piece (Day 279), in a marriage or pre-marital therapy context or at a marriage retreat for your faith community.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 277

Picture Book: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

Author: Mac Barnett

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: Sam and Dave begin their mission. They won’t stop digging until they find “something spectacular”. They dig straight down, but find nothing. They decide to dig in another direction, to the side. They dig in that direction for a while and then decide to split up and dig in two different directions. Each time, they find nothing so again they start digging together and straight down. Eventually they rest. Meanwhile, the dog, who all along has been giving hints as to what they are missing, begins digging straight down for a bone. All 3 characters fall through air to another home, an alternative reality of sorts. It looks very similar to the home they left. Upon landing, Sam and Dave declare, “That was pretty spectacular.”  Each illustration offers a cutaway view of Sam and Dave’s digging. Every time they change their direction, it is just before they are about to dig up a huge gem! Again and again in comical fashion, they miss a “spectacular something.” However, the characters are wise enough to realize that the journey in itself was spectacular.

Hanna’s Comments: The illustrations in this book are crucial to the enjoyment. I’m not just referring to where the huge gems are located, but also the dog’s behavior and the subtle differences between Sam and Dave’s location at the start and where they land. It will be important for your audience to be able to see these details so consider projecting the book on a screen or having multiple books with designated page turners who turn each page just as you do. Pacing is crucial in the delivery of this story. If you are reading to young children, you’ll need to explain beforehand that this is not a story based in our reality, although it seems to start that way. The ending is mysterious and up to interpretation. Encourage them all to interpret and discuss. There are many possibilities. You may want to read the book again after you have talked about it. If you plan to do this, don’t point out things the first time you read it, but do read slowly so that people have time to notice the details. Encourage them to be silent and attentive. Then the story becomes an individual journey, perhaps even “something spectacular” for each audience member.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

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: action, adventure, blessings, choices/decisions, commitment, companionship, disappointment, doubt, exploration, friends/friendship, God’s will, grace, gratitude/thanksgiving, humanity, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, life, mission, mistakes, partners/teamwork, patience, perseverance, perspective, pets, purpose, satisfaction, searching, steadfastness, treasure, waiting, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Scripture stories of wandering (i.e. the Israelites in the wilderness), scripture stories of surprisingly good results (i.e. Joseph in Egypt), or scripture stories of realizing your priorities have changed (i.e. Paul on the road to Damascus)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults when you are talking about the idea of individual spiritual journeys, particularly the value of process over product.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 203

Picture Book: Corduroy

Author & Illustrator: Don Freeman

Summary: Corduroy is a teddy bear who is waiting in a large department store’s toy area, hoping for a child to claim him and take him home. A little girl does want him, but her mother comments on the missing button for his overalls and says no. Corduroy overhears this conversation so during closing hours he goes looking for a button. He manages to get on the elevator. Then he goes to the furniture department. While trying to pull the button off a mattress, he knocks over some furniture and is heard by the night watchman who finds Corduroy and takes him back to his place on the toy shelf. The next day, the little girl arrives with her own money to buy her beloved bear. She takes him home and sews a button on his overalls.   

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book classic is loved by many, but what can it offer a faith community? How about an illustration of unconditional love, grace, and compassion? There is also the concept of adoption that is an aspect of the Christian scriptures. Consider reading this warm and fuzzy (ha!) classic to the children in your faith community or classroom and exploring God's amazing love for us all, no matter whether we have all our buttons or not!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Viking Press, 1968

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Video, Audio CD

PBT Category: Classic, Award Winner

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, adoption, affection, affirmation, anxiety/worry, belonging, brokenness, caring/tending, chosen, disappointment, found, gentleness/meekness, God’s nature, grace, home, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, love, money, new home/location, nurturing, orphans, possessions, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Love bears (I couldn’t resist - sorry!) all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this to a group of young children who are exploring the idea of unconditional love and compare the little girl's love to God’s loving nature. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 192

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Koala Lou            

Author: Mem Fox

Illustrator: Pamela Lofts

Summary: Koala Lou is wonderfully loved by her community of Australian animal friends and especially by her mother who many times a day will say, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” However, other koala babies have come, and Koala Lou’s mother has less time for declaring her love. Koala Lou begins to doubt this love so she prepares to enter and win the Bush Olympics so that her mother will again declare, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” Koala Lou trains with passion, but she comes in second in her event. Disappointed, she goes away to cry. After dark, Koala Lou returns home and is enthusiastically greeted by her mother who says, “Koala Lou, I DO love you! I always have, and I always will.” Then she hugs her for a really long time.   

Hanna’s Comments: Like yesterday’s PBT Dynamic Duo offering, this book is all about the unconditional love of parents. However, these 2 books are quite different. Here you have a determined oldest child who misses the attention of her mother so she works hard to achieve success. She learns that her mother’s love is already present and not reliant on her success. This would be a good book to read to children if you have a need to explain the grace vs. works issue in Christianity or the ever-present love and mercy of God in the Old Testament.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Gulliver Books, 1988

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are some videos on Youtube.com including one of Wally Amos, Famous Amos cookie entrepreneur, reading this book on stage.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: coveting/envy/jealousy, disappointment, family, God’s nature, grace, image of God, labor/work, loss of faith, love, mothers, parents/parental love, pleasing God/the Shema, relationships, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, siblings

Scripture Connections: Can a woman forget her child? Yet, I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15); By grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when presenting a lesson to children on how God’s love is not conditional and does not have to be earned. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 173

Picture Book: Swim! Swim!

Author: Lerch (with help from James Proimos)

Illustrator: James Proimos

Summary: Lurch, an outgoing but lonely goldfish, is looking for a friend in his fishbowl. He tries to start a conversation with pebbles, the lonely looking aqua man, and some bubbles, but they either ignore him or seem to speak another language, “blub” blub,” in the case of the bubbles. Then Lurch sees a cat spying him through the glass while licking his lips. The cat calls Lurch “Lunch” instead, picks him up out of the fish bowl (you’re certain Lurch is about to be eaten), plops him in another bowl, and introduces him to Dinner. The other goldfish quickly responds, “My name is Dinah!” Friendship and true love are found in that 2nd fishbowl and all ends well.

Hanna’s Comments: This comical tale will delight children. It is one of many children’s books I have offered on this blog about the skills of making friends and the practice of hospitality. There’s also a great deal of misunderstanding going on in these fishbowls. Misunderstanding is a problem for all humans and can lead to all sorts of problems including prejudice and dysfunctional relationships. Use this book to talk with children about the importance in your faith community of really listening to one another, not judging too early, and the concept of empathy.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2010

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

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

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: change, chosen, communication, companionship, danger, difficulties, disappointment, friends/friendship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s presence, God’s will, hope, loneliness, patience, perseverance, prayer, searching, surprise, vision, waiting

Scripture Connections: The whole law is fulfilled by, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14); do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2)

Idea(s) for Application: We welcome a number of homeless people into our church each Sunday morning. This would be a good book to use in a lighthearted way to help children in churches like mine not judge or be afraid of these strangers who are sometimes unkempt or behaving strangely.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 170

Picture Book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrator: Ray Cruz

Summary: Waking up with gum in his hair is the first of a series of bad things that happens to Alexander. He quickly declares it a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” As the unfortunate events pile on, he pronounces several times that he intends to move to Australia. When he complains to his family, no one even comments, but at the end of the day as his mom is saying good night, he says again what kind of day he is having. She tells him that “some days are just like that. Even in Australia (sic).”

Hanna’s Comments: I thought it would be fun to highlight this book just as the feature film comes out this week. At this time I’ve seen only the previews, but it looks like they have recruited some great actors for this very funny, much-loved children’s story. The writers of the screenplay would have added a great deal of material. Hopefully they have stayed true to the humor and delight of the original. Why do we love this tale so? I believe this is because we’ve all had this kind of day. Reading this story again through my PBT lenses, I thought of the many laments in the Holy Scriptures. It is very human to suffer, and it is very healthy to complain about that suffering and want sympathy and an escape, especially to a place as wonderful as Australia.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1972

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audible, CD, video on Youtube.com, A live-action feature length film is released in the USA this week.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anger, authenticity, brokenness, challenges, communication, confession, consequences/punishment, coveting/envy/jealousy, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, disappointment, emotions/feelings, grace, humanity, humility, injustice, judgment/judges/judging, lamentations, loneliness, mistakes, patience, perseverance, perspective, prayer, victims

Scripture Connections:  A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.  Rachel is weeping for her children (Jeremiah 31:15); for these things I weep (Lamentations 1:16a)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when talking with children about different types of prayers. Point out how Alexander’s complaints are similar in tone to the laments in our Holy Scriptures and perfectly appropriate to bring to God in prayer.