God's Nature

     

Picture Book: One Earth

Author: Eileen Spinelli

Illustrator: Rogerio Coelho

Summary: This is a counting book that celebrates the beauty of our Earth. Sure the illustrations are fabulous. That would be expected. But the book is smart too! The 1st half counts 1-10 by focusing on various aspects of nature. For instance, “One wide, sweeping sky. Two honeybees.” The 2nd half counts down from 10 to 1, focusing on Earth-friendly & environmentally conscious tasks. “Four pairs of socks with holes? You can learn to sew.” The last pages emphasize that we have only “one moon, one sun, and one Earth.” Alas, this is so very true.

Hanna’s Comments: Connecting this book to the creation story in Genesis 1 is easy. God declared creation all good in Genesis 1:31. But there are other scriptures, especially in the Psalms, that evoke beautiful earthly and skyward images. Many faith-based communities are now emphasizing human roles as Earthkeepers, stewards of the great gifts God has given us. Nature appreciation, inspiration, and preservation are all parts of rich spiritual journeys. Spiritual discernment and insight are often found in nature. A tiny seed, a glacier, or a swift brook can serve as powerful metaphors for us humans.  

Original Publisher & Date: Worthy Kids, 2020

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Scripture Connections: any scripture which refers to a geographic aspect of Earth such as I lift up my eyes to the hills... (Psalm 121:1) OR As the deer pants for streams of water... (Psalm 42:1) OR or more generally, God has made everything beautiful in its time... (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I list this book for a lesson in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum (theme: Land and Skies) based on Psalm 19:1 - The heavens are telling the glory of God...

PBT Applications: This book is a great way to begin discussions about spirituality in nature. For young children, read it and simply ask: "What does this book (or this page) tell you about God?" Before reading to older participants, ask about  favorite natural places. After the reading, encourage reflection through art, spoken word, drama, or writing. How might they help preserve their favorite spaces? End with a simple litany of praise that you say together. 

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. 

Ocean Vocation

I was able to visit the ocean last week! In my opinion, there is no more inspirational natural beauty. The post below features a book about Jacques Cousteau. We ocean-lovers, not to mention oceanographers and those who are worried about the state of today’s oceans, owe a great deal to this man and the work that is still being done in his name. Praise be to those who find their passion (aka vocation) early in life and their work benefits the entire world! 

Picture Book: The Fantastic Undersea Life                                                              of Jacques Cousteau

Author & Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino

Summary: Jacques Cousteau was a sickly French boy whose doctor suggested he swim to build strength. He also loved gadgets, cameras especially. These early experiences would guide his life's work.

His desire to view under the sea and his disdain for the limits of diving suits of his day compelled him to explore with other contraptions. Eventually he invented the Aqua-Lung which allowed divers to breath underwater while swimming. 

Cousteau's strong desire to better see what was under the surface led to inventing a waterproof camera and underwater lights. The mystery of the silent ocean was now much more accessible. The first of his Calypso ships, still widely known internationally, was purchased. 

Meanwhile, a team was recruited for filming their many global explorations . 

The Silent World was Cousteau's first widely-released film. It's audiences were amazed by the ocean's creatures. It was "the first full-length, full-color underwater film." Many TV shows were to follow. This French oceanographer would become a world celebrity.

Even Antarctic oceans were not too far, too deep, or too cold for this team!

The team's next invention was the Diving Saucer, capable of carrying 2 people into the deep ocean. 

Cousteau's great hope was finding a way to live under the sea so they invented underwater labs where scientists would stay for weeks. Alas, our bodies need for sunlight could not be overcome so Cousteau's permanent undersea dwellings were not possible. 

Eventually, return trips to particular oceans showed evidence of death and destruction from pollution. The world's foremost ocean explorer became the world's ocean ambassador, documenting their deterioration and passionately declaring a need for change. His was an early prophetic voice of doom if humanity did not protect its oceans and the treasures and necessities they held.

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I run across a picture book biography that connects strongly to a biblical figure. Do you see the connections to Jeremiah whose life was spent warning the people of Jerusalem of the doom and destruction that was to come? There are many possibilities here to talk about God-ordained vocations, particularly as they relate to ecology and justice since deteriorating oceans are negatively affecting humans in numerous ways. Another approach for this book in ministry is simply to do a lesson on God's glory in the oceans. What amazing evidence of God's creative spirit! Help your audience imagine earlier generations with no way of knowing there were such creatures as tiger fish or even otters and dolphins and then seeing those creatures on screen in full color in their homes. According to Wikipedia, Cousteau in last book, The Human, The Orchid, and the Octopus, wrote “The glory of nature provides evidence that God exists.” In the back of the book, you’ll find a time line of important events in Cousteau’s life as well as a list of other resources. Can’t find this book? Check out Manfish by Berne & Puybaret or Who Was Jacques Cousteau by Medina and Putra.

Original Publisher & Date: Knopf, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: Digital

Scripture Connections: Various verses from the book of Jeremiah; I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… (John 15:16); Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned and to which God has called. (1 Corinthians 7:17); Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to inspire art or science activities about the oceans with children in your faith community or a vocational retreat for older teens looking to connect their spiritual passions with ecological or justice work. 

PBT Grab & Go #8 - Just a Dream

Below is a revised post featuring my favorite PBT book about environmental concerns. Tomorrow is Earth Day and here in The States there will be a nation-wide (perhaps world-wide) March for Science. Here are links if you want to know more about [Earth Day] or [The March for Science]. 

Picture Book: Just a Dream 

Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg 

Summary: Walter is a present-day litterbug with futuristic optimism grounded in his love for science fiction (SF). He doesn’t bother to recycle and sneers at Rose next door who has asked for a tree for her birthday. Then a dream has his bed traveling through a series of scenes in the future. Walter doesn’t find the SF-infused future he longs for but a polluted, ugly, and treeless future instead. Walter wakes converted and immediately begins sorting the trash. He even asks for a tree for his upcoming birthday. Later he has another dream with a revised future in which he and Rose’s 2 trees thrive under a clear sky, thanks to the behavioral changes humans have made to preserve the environment.
Hanna’s Comments: Though this message is heavy-handed, its simplicity will speak to children who, for developmental reasons, tend to view controversial issues such as environmental issues like climate change with black & white tones. As expected from Van Allsburg, the illustrations are striking and offer much potential for conversation about our God-ordained role in environmental concerns and God's hope for our planet and all its creatures. I recently heard an interview with biblical scholar and seminary professor Ellen Davis on On Being, my favorite podcast. Dr. Davis and host Krista Tippett discuss Genesis 1:26, where we read the command God gives humans at their creation. Dr. Davis explains that the verb in the Hebrew language that has traditionally been translated "to have dominion" actually means "to exercise skilled mastery." She describes this act as a sort of craft or art in which we are privileged to have responsibility for our earth. [Here's] the link to that interview entitled The Poetry of Creatures. Fascinating and inspiring because along with it you get to hear some of Wendell Berry's beautiful poetry!

Publisher & Date of Publication: HMH Books, 1990 

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up 
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Humankind has been blessed with the role of exercising skilled mastery over creation (Genesis 1:26); God gives…and it was good (Genesis 1:29-31), Zacheaus converts (Luke 19:1-10) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in a private school’s Arbor Day program or at a kickoff for a church’s recycling program.