Seed Parables

Picture Book: The Tiny Seed
Author & Illustrator: Eric Carle

Summary: It's autumn and a group of seeds begin their journey via the wind from tree to destiny. Carle asks if the tiniest of them will be able to keep up. 

One seed flies too close to the sun.

 One lands in ice that never melts.

 Another seed falls into the ocean. 

A hot dry desert is too much for one seed. Meanwhile, the tiny seed is pushed on with the others. 

When the seeds fall to the ground, one is eaten, but not the tiny seed. It is so small. It isn't seen. 

The tiny seed also avoids being a mouse lunch. 

It's spring; the seeds transform into plants. 

One plant is trampled.   

One is picked... 

to become a gift.

Amazingly, the tiny seed becomes a tremendous flower, taller than a nearby house - a giant! 

Birds and bees visit all summer. They too are surprised by its size. 

When Autumn returns, the wind blows petals (and seeds) about, continuing the circle of life.  

Hanna’s Comments: I hope you see the direct connections this book has to Jesus' seed parables. Those seeds metaphorically represented the gospel, the church, or The Kingdom of God. In each case, the giant flower offers a nice point of discussion about the growth and influence of these throughout history. A board book is photographed above, but because of the amount of text, this book is better for older children who might not like being read a board book. Instead choose a larger version or the video which is very well done and free if you are an Amazon Prime member. If you’re an Eric Carle fan, find more of his books at PBT [here] and [here.] There are many books here at PBT about seeds. Besides the direct connections to seed parables, they offer aspects of transformation & resurrection and a need for tender care. My 2 favorites which are very different in tone are [here] and [here]. Find a fabulous book about the mustard seed [here]. If you want to see many more books about seeds, use the search word "seeds."

Original Publisher & Date: Little Simon, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: Video

Scripture Connections: The seed parables particularly The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, & Luke 8:4-15) and The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 31-32) Any Bible story about resilience or starting out small. 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when studying one or more of the seed parables.

Seeds

Picture Book: What Will Grow?

Author: Jennifer Ward

Illustrator: Susie Ghahremani

Summary: It's almost spring here in Alabama so it's time for folks to plant seeds.

This gorgeous book introduces young children to the idea that seeds are varied and determine what will grow. In the back you'll find lots of information about common seeds 

and the 4 stages from seed to plant.

The title question is asked and answered after each seed is described in a fun rhyming couplet. 

Sometimes the seed is described, the question asked and then ...

you are treated to an extra, fold-out page.  

Big plants for climbing are here. 

 

The origins of common flowers are considered. 

And an uncommon flower is featured  

with a surprising fold-out treat! 

But this book is not just about the plants we expect to enjoy in spring and summer. 

Some we harvest in autumn

and some we celebrate in winter. 

Here's another gorgeous surprise. 

You'll find animal interactions which you can expand on with more science, helping children understand the God-ordained interactions of plants and animals. 

The parts of a plant are mentioned 

as well as the different directions of growth. 

The wrap-up shows the busyness of the underground 

and the results of all that work and time. 

Hanna’s Comments: Because the Bible was written in an agrarian culture and a simpler time, seeds are used repeatedly as literary illustrations of godly potential. Their symbolism is straightforward and relateable to young and old. Each seed has the godly wisdom to grow in its own way just as we have God's image in us to bless the world. Although we are each a unique seed with varied potential, our genetics tie us to other humans, particular animals, and the plants we depend on.   

The first book in Ward & Ghahremani's series is What Will Hatch? 

Likewise, in that book the author/illustrator duo transform a set of simple scientific ideas about eggs into beauty we can then use for spiritual metaphors. The beautiful pages in both books (my photos don't do them justice) are thick for little hands to turn. 

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about the image of God in us, seed parables, and our connections with plants and other animals

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book during a lesson for young children in your faith family and link to scriptures in which seeds symbolically represent potential.

PBT Redux #21 Waiting for Spring & Easter

Today I post again about a picture book that is perfect for children just before spring and during the season of Lent, the liturgical season before Easter. 

Picture Book: Waiting for Wings

Author & Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Summary: In clever verse, bold shapes, and interesting paper cuts, Lois Ehlert depicts the entire life cycle of 4 different kinds of butterflies. Beginning as tiny eggs hidden among the leaves of plants, these 4 creatures change form into caterpillars, build their cocoons, and become butterflies ready to lay eggs. This book may look simple (and sideways) from the cover, but the amount of information you'll find here is amazing! 

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book offers scientific concepts in an appealing context. Find in the back identifying tips for the 4 butterflies and the many flowers that star in this book, general butterfly information, and instructions on planting a butterfly garden. The butterfly has often been used as a metaphor for spiritual transformation. Even young children can begin to see the connections between changes over time in humans and how butterflies evolve. Because they are growing so rapidly and learning new skills, the idea of transformation is not foreign to young children. Also, the symbol of the cocoon and transformation to new life as a butterfly are natural metaphors for Lent (the 40 days before Easter). This book can help you explain to even the youngest children the symbolic darkness and ritual sacrifices of the Lenten season.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 2001

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

Formats other than Book: Audio, In the video collection: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and More Amusing Animal Tales.

Scripture Connections: In general, this book connects to any Bible character for which there is great transformation such as Joseph (in Genesis), disciples such as Matthew (in the Gospels), the woman at the well (in John), Saul/Paul (in Acts), and Jesus (in the Easter story). The way in which a caterpillar cocoons and then becomes a butterfly also connects metaphorically to the seasons of Lent and Easter.

Idea(s) for Application: Use the book above and the author’s partner book about a rainbow of plants [here] to celebrate God’s creative diversity by connecting the butterflies and plants to various people in your faith community. With permission, talk about transformations that person has experienced. Then have the children color or draw that butterfly/plant and present their depiction to the person.

Harvesting Hospitality & Generosity

Picture Book: If You Plant a Seed

Author & Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: This beautiful picture book is made fabulous by pairing a simple tale with stunning illustrations. 

Nelson begins with a simple situation: tomato, carrot, and cabbage seeds are planted by a rabbit and a mouse. 

While giving their garden loving attention, 

they patiently wait while their harvest grows and grows. 

They are delighted by their harvest 

and savor their crops 

until some neighbors drop by. 

They're not particularly subtle about what they want. 

Like the seeds before, their selfishness grows and grows 

 “into a heap of trouble” and mess.

Eventually Mouse reconsiders 

and then decides to plant another kind of seed, a seed of kindness. 

Suddenly, more friends come but this time 

they don’t bring just their desires, they bring fruits of kindness in the form of showers of flower seeds which also grow

and grow while all patiently tend and wait, forming a community.

All the fruits are sweet and beautiful, 

 especially the kindness and the community.

Hanna’s Comments: I just read in Anne Lamott’s new book Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy: “God is the welcome and the welcomers” says a priest she knows. So true! Hospitality and generosity are holy acts, commands from the Hebrew scriptures and fruits of The Holy Spirit in The New Testament. In this big beautiful book, these holy endeavors bring about a surprising level of joy and communion as parts of the tasty harvest. Kadir Nelson is responsible for the illustrations (and sometimes the words too) in some of my favorite PBT books. Check out Nelson Mandela [here], Henry’s Freedom Box [here], and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Balzer & Bray, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as the native among you (Leviticus 19:34); Show hospitality to one another (Hebrews 13:2 & 1 Peter 4:9); listing of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of preschoolers or young elementary students in a lesson on kindness, generosity, and hospitality as faithful practices and fruits of The Holy Spirit.