PBT Redux Series #3 – Lion's Lunch

Today I’m featuring the third book in the PBT Redux Series in which I re-post (with a little editing) an earlier post about a picture book published in the last few years that you need to know. The books in this series are treasures with so much potential for ministry!

Picture Book: Lion’s Lunch

Author: Fiona Tierney
Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain
Summary: Quick-witted Sarah wanders into the jungle happily singing until a lion threatens her. From Lion’s perspective, she is useless and nobody should sing in the jungle. Sarah asks what she can do to be a part of the jungle community. Lion sees her only as lunch, but Sarah quickly demonstrates her value by drawing a picture of Lion. No one else in the jungle can do that. Lion is astonished that Sarah portrays him as “mad and mean.” The other animals agree with Sarah’s assessment so she draws them in more positive ways, friendly, perky, cuddly, etc. The animals declare that Sarah “only draws it like it is.” Sarah’s drawings convince Lion to change his attitude. Then he invites her back to the jungle to see his transformation. When Sarah returns, she finds a very different Lion who invites her to become a permanent member of their jungle community. 

Hanna’s Comments: Children will love this silly book! It has a great deal to say about how we are sometimes oblivious to our own behavior and how others view us. Sarah is such a great role model for being creative, smart, frank, and empathetic. Her problem-solving is brilliant and seems to be God-inspired because it is grounded in valuing the uniqueness of each member of a loving community.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Chicken House, 2010
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up
Available in Spanish? Yes
Formats other than Book: None at present 
Scripture Connections: Tax collectors, like Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), are viewed as outsiders but change their ways after meeting Jesus; Saul changes after the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-22)

Idea(s) for Application: Lion's Lunch would be a great component to a lesson on the importance of self-awareness and how it may lead to transformation. Additionally, consider reading it in a lesson on peaceful resistance.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 303

Picture Book: Words Are Not for Hurting

Author: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrator: Marieka Heinlen

Summary: These picture books gently and simply explain how words can be both helpful and harmful. They also explore the importance of apologizing when words have been used in a unkind manner. In each situation described here, the children are encouraged to be less impulsive, less selfish, and more responsible for their words and actions. Thinking before speaking is emphasized and feelings of all parties are explored.

Hanna’s Comments: Pictured above are 2 versions of this book. The one on the left is a simpler board book with Spanish alongside English. The book on the right has no Spanish translation and is for older children. Also, you may find it has a different cover than the one shown. There are other books from this publisher with similar messages and formats: Hands are Not for Hitting, Feet are Not for Kicking, Teeth are Not for Biting.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Free Spirit Publishing, 2004

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up (book on left), 4 and up (book on right)

# of Pages: 24 (board book), 40 (other book)

Available in Spanish? The board book has a parallel Spanish translation.

Formats other than Book: Tablet (both books), videos are on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, affirmation, anger, arguing, choices/decision, communication, confession, conflict, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, emotions/feelings, encouragement, golden rule, goodness, kindness, language/literacy/reading, mistakes, regret/repentance, self-control, sin

Scripture Connections: Let the words of my mouth… be acceptable to You, God (Psalm 19:14); gracious words are like honeycomb (Proverbs 16:24); let no corrupting talk come from your mouth, but only talk that is good for building up (Ephesians 4:29).

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children in your home, classroom, or faith community when hurtful words are becoming a problem. Tie the concepts here to the commandment to treat others as we want to be treated, building empathy and kindness in even young children. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 207

Picture Book: My Secret Bully

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Abigail Marble

Summary: Monica and Katie have been friends for years, but Monica is confused because now there are times when Katie is mean to her. She calls her names, talks about her in means ways to others, threatens Monica when she tries to play with mutual friends, and pointedly leaves her out of conversations and activities. Eventually Monica has no one to play with at recess so she starts to doubt herself and miss school because of stomachaches. Monica confesses her trouble with Katie to her mom who listens and helps her practice being more assertive via role-playing. The next day Monica confronts Katie in front of the other girls, and their relationship ends. Monica is sad about this loss, but she knows that real friends don’t treat each other the way Katie has treated her. She chooses to only be around people who really like her. Monica has new friends and no more stomachaches.

Hanna’s Comments: One benefit of this author’s books is the way she has the adult characters listening and then teaching appropriate coping strategies to the children. Be sure to check out the Forward by Susan Wellman, founder of the Ophelia Project. This introduction gives some details on emotional bullying aka relational aggression. In the back you’ll find Making a Difference: A Note to Parents & Teachers, a section called What can a Target do?, discussion questions, and lists of additional resources. Today’s book continues this week’s PBT focus on bullying before Anti-bullying week here in the US next week.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2004

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, anxiety/worry, belonging, betrayal, bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, endings, enemies, exclusion/inclusion,  friends/friendship, injustice, insecurity, power, problems/problem solving, relationships, resisting evil, security, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, trust/trustworthiness, victims

Scripture Connections: A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17); encourage one another and build one another up (1^st Thessalonians 5:11)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary-aged children if you are having any relationship problems in your group. Consider having them engage in some role-playing similar to what you find in this story. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 205

Picture Book: Say Something

Author: Peggy Moss

Illustrator: Lea Lyon

Summary: This elementary-aged female protagonist witnesses bullying, but she never intervenes. When she is bullied, she realizes how desperately she wishes one of her friends, many of whom were there to witness it, would intervene. When she tells her brother how mad she is at her friends, he says, “Why? They didn’t do anything.” She sees herself in his response. The next day she befriends one of the bully victims.

Hanna’s Comments: An African proverb begins this book: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in the room with a mosquito.” Resources at the end of the book will encourage conversation with children and offer more information. Since its publication, this book has inspired “Say Something Weeks” in schools all over the world. The tenth anniversary edition has an author’s note. Anti-bullying Week is November 16-22, 2014.  You can check it out at: http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/ . For the next several days, I will be offering books on bullying. For an explanation, see my comments on Day 196.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tillbury House, 2004

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, belonging, betrayal, bravery/courage, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, exclusion/inclusion, friends/friendship, injustice, power, relationships, resisting evil, victims

Scripture Connections: Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression (Isaiah 1:17); as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to school age children in your faith family when doing a lesson on seeking justice for others. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 194

Picture Book: The Scarves

Author & Illustrator: Daniela Bunge

Summary: A granddaughter who regularly visits her grandparents is told upon her arrival that they will no longer be living together. When she asks if they don’t like the other, they separately explain that they have different opinions and interests now, but she is confused. As she begins to visit their separate homes, she suspects that they begin missing each other and their love still exists so she devises a plan to bring them back together involving 2 knitted scarves, anonymous notes, and a plan to meet to ice skate which is how they first met.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a picture book about old, forgotten love, newer love for a cherished grandchild, and remembered love. It’s a clever story which demonstrates that love doesn’t have to be about liking the same things. This plot also reveals how change can be thrilling but eventually sad and tiresome. This perceptive grandchild listens and watches with the eyes of one who loves her grandparents desperately. The power of shared memory is another important subject here that has bound together many a faith community. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Minedition, 2006

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, bonds/connections, commitment, differences, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, grandparents, hiding/isolation, loneliness, love, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, perspective, regret/repentance, relationships, tolerance, transformation

Scripture Connections: Let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14); stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught (2Thessalonians 2:15); above all, keep loving one another earnestly (1 Peter 4:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book to adults and children at a community-wide retreat for your family of faith. Then discuss loving bonds you share that encompass the diversity of interests across your population and all that you hold in common and treasure together.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 153

Terrific Trio: Book 2

Picture Book: Desmond and the Very Mean Word
Authors: Archbishop Desmond Tutu                                                                  & Douglas Carlton Abrams
Illustrator: A. G. Ford
Summary: This story from Bishop Desmond Tutu’s childhood is a very honest look at the obsessive desire for retribution when wronged and the struggle to forgive. While riding his new bike, Desmond is called a mean word by 3 white boys in pre-Apartheid South Africa. Desmond's response of shouting at them with mean words is not satisfying to him. Father Trevor Huddleston, mentioned as a mentor in yesterday’s biography about Bishop Tutu, counsels Desmond to try to forgive the boys rather than contributing to an escalation of hatred. Father Trevor says, “When we hurt someone, it hurts us too.” Desmond struggles with how to forgive them when they are not sorry. After Desmond witnesses one of the boys being mistreated, he decides to try an apology and forgiveness. The white boy doesn’t apologize, but Desmond experiences a sense of relief and freedom from his anger and obsession. Note: the “mean word” is never revealed.
Hanna’s Comments: What I especially admire about this story is the detailed way in which Desmond’s feelings are honestly explored over a period of days. The tender care and counsel that Father Trevor offers Desmond is mirrored in this text as the struggle and change in feelings on the part of both boys is explicit. This is rare in children’s books especially with boy protagonists. Also, there is not a “happily ever after” ending. The cultural limits of racism in South Africa are still very real for the two boys as this story ends. Tomorrow’s post of the 3^rd book in this Terrific Trio, offers Archbishop Tutu's beliefs about God’s dream for us to be empathetic, forgiving, and joyful human beings.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick, 2012
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up
# of Pages: 32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Tablet
PBT Category: Non fiction
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, Africa, anger, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, call/calling/vocation, challenges, choices/decisions, conflict, cruelty, differences, difficulties, discord, emotions/feelings, encouragement, enemies, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, freedom, golden rule/great commandment, hatred, joy, judgment/judges/judging, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, perspective, power, race relations/racism, relationships, resisting evil, self-control, temptations, victims, wisdom
Scripture Connections: Peter asks how often he should forgive (Matthew 18:21-22); Be kind, tenderhearted, & forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Idea(s) for Application: Forgiveness is an important subject for children to honestly explore in the safety of their faith communities. This book would be a valuable addition to any lesson relating to forgiveness. Consider explaining the remarkable Truth and Reconciliation Commission on which Bishop Tutu was a member.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 120

Picture Book: Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me

Authors: Jill Jackson & Sy Miller

Illustrator: David Diaz

Summary: This picture book’s text is a song familiar to many. Written in 1955, this song has been recorded by many famous singers throughout the world. It is a clarion call for world peace as well as interpersonal peace. Besides the song lyrics, you’ll find an audio CD which includes 11 other songs by these writers. The illustrations feature international symbols of peace which are explained in the back of the book. Other features there include historical aspects of the song and its writers as well as the musical score.

Hanna’s Comments: If you are bothered by the masculine terminology, particularly “With God as our Father, brothers all are we.” Adapt to “With God, our creator, children all are we.” For “Let me walk with my brother,” change to “Let us walk with each other.” Use Post-it notes to replace the words on the pages. Simply explain to your audience that the meaning and use of language changes sometimes and give your reasons for making the changes.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2009

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

# of Pages: 30

Available in Spanish? Not at Present

Formats other than Book: None at Present, On the internet, there are many videos of this song being performed.

PBT Category: Song Book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: arguing, art, bonds/connections, choices/decisions, choir/music/singing/songs, cooperation, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, Earth/world, enemies, ethics, God’s will, golden rule/great commandment, hatred, holiness, hope, humanity, intolerance, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, participation, partners/teamwork, power, relationships, religious differences, resisting evil, righteousness, social justice, tolerance, violence

Scripture Connections: Those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20); live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18); blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); strive for peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book or singing along with it as a part of a lesson on the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew or as part of a lesson on issues of peace, conflict, and reconciliation. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 88

Picture Book: The Big Orange Splot

Author & Illustrator: Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Summary: Mr. Plumbean happily lives on a “neat street” where all the houses look the same. A seagull carrying a can of paint (“no one knows why,” it says) spills paint on his house resulting in a big, orange splot. He delays re-painting his house. When neighbors complain, he paints his home with multiple colors. His neighbors are astounded and fear he’s gone mad. Meanwhile, Mr. Plumbean builds a clock tower, does some tropical landscaping, and adds a hammock. When they complain, he explains, “My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams.” His next door neighbor is sent as a delegate to convince him to conform. Instead, the neighbor too rebels, painting his house like a ship. One by one, the neighbors are converted, and the look of their neighborhood is transformed.

Hanna’s Comments: One of the many aspects of this book that I like is that the conflicts are handled through face to face, civil conversation. Despite some fear and misunderstanding, the neighbor/delegate visits Mr. Plumbean and somehow Mr. Plumbean convinces the neighbor to risk painting his own house to reveal his dreams. The importance of listening while others dream aloud might be a point of conversation after reading this book. More obviously, it is a delightful book about being drawn to express our authentic selves in community. That is a godly pursuit!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1977

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Amateur videos on Youtube

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adaptation/assimilation, art, authenticity, beauty, belonging, bravery/courage, change, choices/decisions, communication, community, conformity, conversion, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, diversity, dreams/aspirations, evangelism, home, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, intolerance, judgment/judges/judging, the Law/rules/10 commandments, leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, neighborhood, presence, rebellion, relationships, religious differences, risking, satisfaction, self-discovery, sin, surprise, transformation, variety, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book at a religious community’s arts camp. Tie in the idea of God’s creativity revealed through creation, including our own authenticity.