PBT Theme List: Peace

Today is Black Friday in the States, a day of Christmas shopping in excess. I woke up to headlines that there was a shooting last night in a mall walking distance from my home. When did the shootings become so ordinary?! Lord have mercy on us all! Forgive our violence and help us with our fears. 

Perhaps you too are in search of peace as we anticipate Advent and The birth of the Prince of Peace. Here is a nice variety of 6 secular books about peace. Scripture connections and ideas for applications in your ministry are at the end of the post. 

Picture Book: A Little Peace

Author & Photographer: Barbara Kerley

Summary: This is a collection of photographs of people from various parts of the globe who are enjoying “a little peace.” Images of peace range widely from two English men in the snow tipping their hats to one another to a group of whirling Buddhist monks worshiping in Bhutan and then to an American military doctor cuddling a child who had been caught up in a battle. In the back you’ll find a world map and an explanation of each photo including details and location. The book ends with a note by Richard H. Solomon, President of the United States Institute of Peace.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: National Geographic, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Picture Book: The Peace Book

Author & Illustrator: Todd Parr

Hanna’s Comments: For thoughts about peace with elementary or preschool children, consider Todd Parr's fun exploration of what peace looks like. 

He also offers a global and even ecological perspective, often with a bit of humor and some meaningful situations for young children. His books often connect directly to scripture, sometimes with a little twist. Peaceful acts can lead to life-long aspirations for world change. Parr finds peace in simple, fun gestures and big, hard work. His characters are sometimes surprising, often human and animal, but very relatable. Your children will love his whimsy and his heart. As usual, Parr ends this book with a letter to his readers.

Original Publisher & Date: Little, Brown & Co., 2004

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Picture Book: Peace, Baby!

Author: Linda Ashman

Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Summary: Conflict resolution in verse is the appeal of this delightful picture book. Here young children’s situations of conflict in the home or classroom are used to illustrate more peaceful alternatives than verbal or physical aggression. With each offering is the suggestion to try or say, “Peace Baby.” Eventually the arenas of peacemaking broaden to interactions with all sorts: parents, teachers, strangers, and all of creation.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a fun, clever book aimed at reducing conflict among young children by giving them conflict resolution and peacemaking strategies along with a new, fun phrase. Being able to deal with strong feelings is a crucial skill that will benefit everyone in your religious community.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: Chronicle Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

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, it has been recorded by many famous singers. 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 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 sticky 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

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

Picture Book: Peace is an Offering

Author: Annette LeBox

Illustrator: Stepanie Graegin 

Summary: These simple rhyming phrases explore the concept of peace via ordinary, loving gestures in a neighborhood, the place where young children would most understand peace. Generous acts like visiting and serving someone in need and enjoying God's gifts of nature with friends all instruct young children to notice how peace is abundant. This book explains in simple terms that gratitude and contemplation are important tools for peace, as is affection and being at table together. This diverse community of children (and sometimes their parents) are shown engaging in thoughtful acts, companionship rituals, hospitality, play, and even strategic avoidance of violence. You’ll find a reference to 9/11/01, but it is subtle and isn’t likely to be disturbing to young children. Hope and joy are interwoven in this text and the images are comforting. 

Hanna’s Comments: These are fear-ridden times. Sometimes the loudest messages of fear come from faith families and are overheard by children. Instead, I believe the place where children first worship and learn about God should be grounded in peace and love. We have many children riddled with anxiety. Their worship communities can address some of their fears and offer God's hope instead. The key to this heartwarming book are messages of abundance and calls to be sensitive to another’s needs while contemplating with gratitude the beauty of our world. Here be reminded that when loving acts occur, peace can be found. Opportunities for such acts are everywhere, especially in your neighborhood, but also with those you love most, like those in your faith family.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Picture Book: Growing Peace: A Story of Farming,                                               Music, and Religious Harmony

Author and Photojournalist: Richard Sobol

Summary: This story begins and ends in Africa in the village of Namanyonyi, near the border of Uganda and Kenya. Namanyonyi is unusual. In this small Ugandan village live Christians, Jews, and Muslims. They live in harmony, but they used to live more separately. Here you see children from each religion enjoying futbol. (The hats identify the boy in the middle as Jewish and the boy on the right as Muslim. Since one villager's witnessing of 9/11, they live more cooperatively and productively. J. J. Keki, a musician and coffee grower, happened to be in New York City on his way to The World Trade Center on 9/11. He emerged from the subway station in time to see one of the planes hit a tower. His life, like so many others, would never be the same. He came home and realized his village offered a perfect opportunity to model interfaith cooperation. Most families have a garden for food but also grow coffee for export. (They prefer to drink tea.) Through contacts made in his village via his children's many friends, Mr. Keki met with village farmers of all 3 religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Together they created a farming cooperative so that they can import their coffee at a better price and highlight their cooperation despite their village's religious diversity.  On the sign below find the word "Kawomera." It means "delicious." The Delicious Peace Growers Coop was born and has transformed this community! A model of interfaith cooperation was been born thanks to one man's determination to counteract religious hatred! J. J. Keki has even written songs celebrating the extraordinary peace and joy that his village now experiences. Besides a detailed account of this story, you'll find the process of growing coffee beans. Children and adults are photographed demonstrating the steps: the harvesting of coffee cherries, the drying of their seeds, the shaking to remove skins, the bagging, and the transporting to a Kenyan sea port. Growing Peace offers a wide but pragmatic perspective on peacemaking, integrated with economic cooperation. 

Hard work is celebrated here as well as the joy of living in the diversity that God ordains through nature and humanity.

Hanna’s Comments: There is so much text in this book that I highly recommend reading it over a couple of sessions or telling (rather than reading) this powerful story while showing the photographs. Find in the back an Author's Note and lots of resources including a glossary which will help with pronunciation. The music behind this story is available [here] and you can purchase the fair trade Delicious Peace Coffee [here]. 

Check out other PBT books about Africans' responses to September 11, 2001 [here] and [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Lee & Low, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: This story is told in a feature-length video available at [Youtube]

Scripture Connections For All These Books: For unto us a child is born… his name shall be called… Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6); Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6); Those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20); Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their toil. If they fall, one will lift up the other. (Ecclesiastes 4:9); Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14); Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38); I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. (John 16:33); ...live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:11); may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (Romans 15:13); the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:12); Now may the lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16); Strive for peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14); Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17); ...seek peace and pursue it.(1 Peter: 3:11)

Idea(s) for Application For All These Books: For a discussion within your faith family, talk about the confusing concept of “peace.” It will help ground them in rich meaning, even if they exit the conversation without being able to verbalize an exact definition of peace. Also, explore what peace looks like in community, school, home, or your faith family. Read Peace, Baby! in a religious childcare center along with a lesson on God’s desire for us to live peacefully. After reading Let There Be Peace on Earth, consider singing it as well then talk about conflict and reconciliation. Read Growing Peace to a group of older children or adults and consider how scripture encourages cooperative community, even across religious traditions. 

PBT Redux #17 A New Year's Hope & Prayer

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, the song has been recorded by many singers throughout the world. It is a clarion call for world peace and 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 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.” Change “Let me walk with my brother,” to “Let us walk with each other.” Use sticky notes to replace the words on the pages. Simply explain to your audience that the meaning and use of language changes sometimes. Then give your personal reasons for making the changes.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2009

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

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

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 361

Picture Book: A Day’s Work

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Ronald Himler

Summary: Francisco is a young boy whose grandfather has just arrived from Mexico and speaks no English. It’s Saturday, so grandson and grandfather go to be day laborers. When a man needs one laborer to do some gardening, Francisco convinces him to take them both and tells him that his grandfather is an experienced gardener which is not true. They are given brief instructions on-site to weed a large area, being sure to pull the roots. Then they are left alone. At the end of the day, the employer arrives and is furious that they have pulled the wrong plants. When the grandfather realizes that Francisco lied, he says they will return the next day for free to plant the correct plants. When offered partial payment, the grandfather refuses, saying they will take payment when the job is done. The employer is impressed by the grandfather’s work ethic and says he will hire him again and teach him gardening. Francisco is relieved that more money will be coming into their home.   

Hanna’s Comments: There are several aspects of this story that I think are particularly valuable. One is the context of day laboring which is a very real facet of many cultures that remains hidden to most children. Francisco’s love and pride in his grandfather and his desire to be a working man himself are poignant and realistic. Lastly, there is a struggle for basic needs that is an underlying theme here. Francisco is hoping that they will make enough to have meat for dinner and his grandfather’s presence will make a significant difference in his family’s income. You might want to also consider with your listeners the symbolic meaning of the concept of roots in this story and how it connects with religious values.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 1994

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

PBT Category: Pre 2K 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: affirmation, aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, babies/children, commitment, communication, consequences/punishment, dependence/interdependence, deception/dishonesty/lies, ethics, family, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, goodness, grace, grandparents, labor/work, language/literacy/reading, legacies, Mexico, North America, partners/teamwork, poverty, pride, sin, truth  

Scripture Connections: The story of Ruth and Naomi (the book of Ruth); commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3); train children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6); blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…like a tree that sends out roots by the stream… (Jeremiah 17-7-8); you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend (Ephesians 3:17); walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as you were taught (Colossians 2:6-7); do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9); work heartily, as for the Lord (Colossians 3:23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about integrity in poverty or hard labor, the commandment to not lie, and/or how values are passed on from generation to generation. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 342

Picture Book: The Whispering Town

Author: Jennifer Elvgren 

Illustrator: Fabio Santomauro

Summary: In their basement, Anett and her parents are hiding two Jews from the Nazis in 1943 Denmark. When Anett brings their breakfast down, she relies on their whispers in the dark to guide and comfort her. As she desires items for them from the town’s merchants, she whispers, “We have new friends. Then the merchants give a few items. Each time Anett ventures outside, she sees Nazi soldiers looking for hidden Jews. The Nazis threaten to arrest anyone who is hiding Jews. Because the Nazi presence is increasing, the Jews must leave at night with no local escort to the harbor where a boat will be waiting for their escape. How will they find their way? Anett remembers how the whispers guide her to the basement and suggests that the townspeople, along the desired route, stand at their doorways and use whispered voices to guide the Jews to the harbor. This plan works. “This way,” is repeatedly whispered and guides the Jews as they walk to the harbor.

Hanna’s Comments: The Author’s Note in the back of the book gives the historical context of this story and explains that it is based on true events in the small fishing village of Gilleleje, Denmark. I have considered featuring a book on Anne Frank this month because it is the 70^th anniversary of her death. However, I couldn’t find a picture book that balanced her heartbreaking story with her own statements of hope and faith in people. I encourage you to continue to look for that kind of book in your local library or simply tell Anne Frank’s story as a supplement and contrast to the book featured here. Anne Frank hid in an upper set of rooms in Amsterdam, Holland. Tweens and teens easily identify with Anne Frank’s story. There are reference books about her that will help you tell her story and show pictures. Also, there are many videos including the only known video of Anne Frank. She is looking out a window. Find it on Youtube.com. It is quite moving. Miep Gies, one of the protectors of Anne Frank and her family, has been interviewed many times. You'll find her story on Youtube as well. It is one of courage, humility, and sacrifice.   

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio CD 

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, adaptation/assimilation, aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, anxiety/worry, body/body of Christ, bravery/courage, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, caring/tending, challenges, commitment, communication, community, cooperation, cruelty, danger, darkness/evening/night, dependence, difficulties, encouragement, enemies, ethics, Europe, evil, exile/separation/walls, fear, goodness, helping, hiding/isolation, homelessness, hospitality, listening, neighbors, partners/teamwork, presence, prisons/prisoners, problems/problem solving, protecting/protection, rebellion, resisting evil, risking, safe place/sanctuary, secrets, sharing, unity   

Scripture Connections: I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more (Psalm 71:14); abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good (Romans 12:9); welcome one another… for the glory of God (Romans 15:7); if one member suffers, all suffer together (1 Corinthians 12:26a); now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book and consider telling the story of Anne Frank to older elementary or youth who are learning about concepts of faith, hope, and reliance on others in difficult times. This book also easily connects with spiritual concepts such as discernment, particularly discernment through the guidance of others, and the power of community.   

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 209

Picture Book: Bully

Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Summary: On her first day of school, Lyla meets Jamie a new 6^th grade boy. When Lyla makes cheerleader, she must keep her friendship with Jamie secret because of her new popular friends. When Lyla witnesses cyber-bullying with Jamie as one of the targets, she is ashamed and tries to distance herself from the girls. When she defends eating lunch with Jamie, Lyla becomes the target of their cyber-bullying.

Hanna’s Comments: The context of this book will be very familiar to older elementary and middle school students. It should serve as a great tool for discussion because the modern characters are well-developed and this issue is very pertinent to many teens and pre-teens. Do note the length of this text and allow time for discussion. Cyber-bullying has become a serious issue of concern for too many students and adults. Its effects can be devastating and permanent. Families of faith are not immune. In fact, it behooves those of us who have influence on youth to offer a place for honest discussion and the teaching of coping strategies, proactive approaches, and moral guidance before this issue detrimentally affects our communities. This book ends the PBT focus on bullying. I hope that you find these books to be helpful resources.

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2012

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, belonging, betrayal, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, choices/decisions, commitment, communication, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, enemies, ethics, evil, exclusion/inclusion,  friends/friendship, injustice, new school, peer pressure, power, relationships, resisting evil, righteousness, victims

Scripture Connections: A friend loves at all time (Proverbs 17:17); whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor (Proverbs 21:21)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book to tweens or junior highs in your faith community when talking about issues surrounding bullying or cyber-bullying.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 189

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners

Author and Illustrator: Laurie Keller

Summary: A wise owl gives Mr. Rabbit some advice about getting along with new otter neighbors. “Just treat otters the same way you’d like them to treat you.” Then there are lots of comical details about how Mr. Rabbit would like to be treated. The otters help out with the explanations as various scenarios are considered in hilarious ways.

Hanna’s Comments: Social skills instruction and clever puns abound in this entertaining picture book. Like yesterday’s PBT offering, this book is about The Golden Rule, but today’s offering is less historical and more hysterical.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Henry Holt, & Co., 2007

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio download, Video

PBT Category: Post-2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, choices/decisions, communication, community, cooperation, emotions/feelings, ethics, golden rule/great commandment, goodness, kindness, the law/rules/10 commandments, neighbors, relationships, wisdom

Scripture Connections: The Golden Rule (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson for kids on The Golden Rule. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 188

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: The Golden Rule

Author: Ilene Cooper

Illustrator: Gabi Swiatowska

Summary: In this beautiful picture book, a grandchild sees a billboard with The Golden Rule written on it. He asks his grandfather about the rule and its meaning. Thus begins a lengthy conversation between the two about the rule’s history and meaning, including an explanation that many of the world’s major religions have this rule in their moral code. In the back you’ll find the original forms of The Golden Rule and their sources in the various holy books.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the first of a PBT Dynamic Duo about The Golden Rule. I especially like the Grandfather’s explanation when his grandson asks what the rule means and why it’s golden. The wise grandfather answers, “It means this: Treat people the way you would like to be treated. It’s golden because it’s so valuable, and a way of living your life that’s so simple, it shines.” When the boy considers how wonderful the world would be if everyone lived by The Golden Rule, his grandfather explains, ”It begins with you.”

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present but there is a Berenstain Bears book about The Golden Rule that is in Spanish.

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, choices/decisions, communication, community, cooperation, emotions/feelings, ethics, golden rule/great commandment, goodness, kindness, the law/rules/10 commandments, neighbors, relationships, wisdom

Scripture Connections: The Golden Rule (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19)

Idea(s) for Application: This book would be a great source for a homeschool or private school lesson on The Golden Rule or Comparative Religion. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 162

Picture Book: In Our Image: God’s First Creatures

Author: Nancy Sohn Swartz

Illustrator: Melanie Hall

Summary: This picture book offers a new reflection of verse 26 in Genesis One. Because something is missing from this new creation, God says, “Let us create humans in Our own image.” The “Our” in this case refers to the other creatures that God has already made. God encourages these creatures to help design humans by suggesting which of their own traits these new beings should have. The animals offer suggestions that are cleverly similar to their own inclinations. “’Make them lazy,’ yawned the lizard. ‘Keep them busy’, buzzed the bee.” When God declares the dominion of the humans, all the animals run and hide in fright. Then God explains that they should not fear humans for God is making them in God’s own image as well. The goodness and loving kindness that is God’s will belong to the humans. Humans will also have the gift of reason to discern the best decisions for Earth's creatures. Then the humans are made and God sees that it is very good.

Hanna’s Comments: This book, which is endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish religious leaders, is a positive view of Genesis 1:26. O how I wish humans lived up to God’s expectations in this re-consideration of our origin. The reading of this PBT God book would likely result in a lively discussion on human responsibility and culpability in the crises that Earth’s environment is experiencing.    

Publisher & Date of Publication: Jewish Lights Publishing, 1998

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: God Book, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, abundance/bounty, animals, beginnings/morning, care of creation, creation, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, ethics, free will, God’s will, humanity, image of God, legends/myth, power, variety, wisdom

Scripture Connections: The making of humans (Genesis 1:26); who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth? (Job 35:11); the Lord’s goodness is over all that the Lord has made (psalm 145:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with a youth group that is considering how your faith tradition informs your response to the issues of climate change or treatment of animals.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 141

Picture Book: For Every Child: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Words and Pictures

Text Adapted by: Caroline Castle

Forward: Archbishop Desmond M. TuTu

Illustrators: Each double page spread has a different illustrator.

Summary: In 1989 the United Nations adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document comprised of 54 principles. This picture book highlights the 14 most relevant principles for today’s international children. As a declaration of human rights, this book will inspire and dishearten your listeners for it will become clear that the rights of many children are forgotten and ignored. 

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I run across a picture book that I must own. This is one of them. I urge you to consider designing a program that allows you to engage in conversation with your community of faith about the rights (and present day treatment) of children all over the world. As a Christian, there are few issues that so clearly speak directly to my faith. Jesus urged us to minister to the least of these. Despite his culture, Jesus took time to interact with children, heal children, and proclaim their great value. I know this value is shared by many other religions as well. Our news headlines are full of displaced families, children caught in the abyss of war, and children living in oppressive regimes or slave conditions. As a species, we can do better and must do better. It sounds clichéd, but they are our future.

There are two similar books that I would recommend. We are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures. All royalties for the sale of this book go to Amnesty International, the organization that is its author. The pages in the featured book as well as this book are illustrated by series of internationally respected artists. 

The other book I want to highlight is I Have the Right to Be a Child by Alain Serres with illustrations by Aurelia Fronty. This book takes the perspective of children who declare their rights in moving ways within the parameters of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It ends with details about this document and a list of the countries that are party to this document as of its publication, 2009. It troubles me that the United States of America is still not on this list.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Phyllis Fogelman Books in association with UNICEF, 2001

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Two different videos are on Youtube.com that have this same subject but in different words. They are well produced and very inspiring.

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adoption, babies/children, caring/tending, care of creation, citizenship, civil rights, comfort, dependence/interdependence, disabilities/handicaps/limitation, diversity, Earth/world, education/learning/school, equality/inequality, ethics, family, freedom, growing up/growth, helping, healing/healthcare, home, humanity, identity/names, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, intercession, justice, land/mountains/soil, language/literacy/reading, nurturing, outreach, play, pleasing God/the Shema, protecting/protection, religious differences, respect, safety, safe place/sanctuary, security, violence, vision, war/war veterans

Scripture Connections: Whoever welcomes a little child welcomes me (Matthew 18:5); Jesus said, ”Let the children come to me” (Matthew 19:13); the least of these (Matthew 25)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this book in a program for children or youth in which you talk about the ways children in various circumstances around the world are not secure in their human rights. Then talk about how your faith community is engaged in efforts to improve these situations.

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.