Global Hymns of Praise

Picture Book: A World of Praise

Author: Deborah Lock

Illustrator: Helen Cann

Summary: This book begins and ends with psalms! Between those pages, experience simple poetic verses integrated with beautiful scenes of diverse children enjoying the glories of God’s creation all over the world! You’ll see mountains & flatlands, cityscapes & rural spaces, contemplative children & dancing animals. Quiet praise alternates with glorious joyful noises.

Hanna’s Comments: For a children's lesson, have a globe handy and before reading, invite them to ask you where the scenes are. You’ll find a diagram in the back that identifies each of the 16 countries/regions, but you’ll need to do a bit of prep to locate all those countries on the globe. Consider placing sticky notes on the globe to make this process easier for you or for your children to do the searching. This will encourage your children’s curiosity about their world (God's world) and build their globe skills, an added benefit. Too old school for you? Add an internet component with a tablet or laptop. Repeatedly emphasize God is everywhere and the source of all!

There are not a lot of these books on the market so check with your local library system. If your library doesn’t have the book, ask if they will order it.

Original Publisher: Eerdmans, 2020

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You’ll find in these pages the following scriptures, but any verses about the glory, gifts, and/or beauty of nature will connect here:

Psalm 24:1-2 is on the 1^st page. 

These are on the last pages:

Psalm 67:6

Psalm 113:3

Psalm 148:7-12

PBT Applications: Amidst a recording of quiet nature sounds, invite children to lie on the floor, close their eyes, and imagine portions of this book that you choose to read aloud slowly. Adapt the length of the reading so that listeners, no matter their age or attention span, can attend well and imagine fully.

For very young children, I would open this book to some favorite double page spreads and ask the children to tell you what they like and who made it. Talk about sensory experiences, especially sights/colors, textures, and sounds. Say together simple sentences, like Thank you God for birdsong! OR Thank you for making the stars so beautiful, God!

3 More God Books about Creation!

 

Picture Book: When God Made the World

Author: Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrator: Gillian Gamble

Summary: In rhyming verse and beautiful images, God’s creativity is celebrated here! Unlike typical books about creation featuring the sequence of events in  Genesis 1 or 2, this is an exploration of all that God created in our universe. Turner emphasizes the cosmic, the geographic, and especially the human with these words: “God made a place for the story of us.” After initially focusing on astronomical features, Turner shows a boy in his bedroom. The boy dreams a journey via a flying boat with some animal and human friends. The children are encouraged to experience creation first hand: "'Cause when God made the world, God... created every detail for our joy and our good." The diversity of birds, water animals, and land animals is celebrated as part of "life's circle." With a last focus on diversity in human bodies, abilities, and purposes, the book declares that all of creation reveals the Divine. Creation "whispers God's story."

Hanna’s Comments: This book was written in memory of Turner's friend, the popular and greatly missed Rachel Held Evans, a remarkable young writer who died in 2019 at the height of her influence. Click on her name above for her website. Turner was later asked to finish What is God Like? a picture book that Evans had started not long before she died. I will devote the next PBT post to it.

I have a couple of Turner’s other books already on PBT. Here are those 2 links:

When God Made Light      When God Made You

Original Publisher & Date: Convergent, 2020

Age Appropriateness: 5 & up

Formats other than Book: Audio & Tablet

Scripture Connections: This book connects to the creation stories in Genesis 1 & 2. 

PBT Applications: Because there is a lot of complex text here, read this book to a group of teens. Don't show the images since they are of very young children. Lead a discussion about the most intriguing aspect of this view of creation. Spend some time on the idea of "life's circle" or the Divine being in creation. You might have them contrast it with Genesis 1-3.If you want to read it to younger groups, show the images and consider reducing the amount of text. Check out the Reminder at end of this post for some tips. 

  

Picture Book: God Made the World

Author & Illustrator: Sarah Jean Collins

Summary: In contrast to the book above, this book follows the Genesis sequence of events with images that are interestingly geometric and bright (easy to see in a group) but limited in beauty. The actions and words of God are more modern than traditional. For instance, on day 4 God says, "Lights on! Come shine in my new sky." Adam and Eve are not named, but they are made the same day and called God's daughter and son. God loved all that was made!

Hanna’s Comments: This book is 1 of 3 in the God Made series. The others are God Made the Ocean and God Made the Sea. Soon they will be available in a 3-book pack. I like these books because they are large board books which means they are sturdy but big enough to read aloud to a group. 

Original Publisher & Date: Tyndale, 2017

Age Appropriateness: 2 and up

Formats other than Book: none at present

Scripture Connections: This book connects to the creation stories in Genesis 1 & 2.

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of preschoolers who are learning the creation story. Have them use some geometric stamps to make their own nature creations. Have each child declare their creation good, just as God did! 

Picture Book: The World God Made

Author: Donna D. Cooner

Illustrator: Kim Simons

Summary: Like the structure of the classic The House That Jack Built, this book builds on repeating text that always ends with: that shines on the world that God made. This pattern is broken at the end where the author does a nice job of emphasizing gratitude. Here you’ll find simple prayers of gratitude that you might have children repeat with you.

Hanna’s Comments: Like the book just above, I love the bright, simple images which make it perfect for reading to a large group. 

Original Publisher & Date: Word, 1994

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Unlike the books above, this book does not follow the sequence of events in Genesis. Instead, it celebrates those aspects of God’s creation that have the most meaning for very young children, such as dogs and cats. That means any scripture will connect to this book if it mentions a part of creation that is meaningful to young children.

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of young children to explore the importance of prayers of gratitude when experiencing God's very good creation. Have each child list 5 favorite aspects of God's creation. Then together create a litany or collage that incorporates some of these. You might end with a imagined (or real) nature walk full of phrases saying thank you to God. 

Reminder: Picture books are flexible tools! If the text is too long for your audience members’ attention spans, shorten it with sticky notes. These can cover text, and you can write on them to replace sections of text. You can also use sticky notes to write questions or transition sentences that may be needed if you've skipped text. Use paperclips to skip whole pages. 

Wonder Walking

 

Picture Book: Wonder Walkers

Author & Illustrator: Micha Archer

Summary: Two siblings decide to go on a wonder walk. They ask clever and imaginative questions about the beauty and mystery of the natural world. They look at the world in a new way, leaning into what they know. Here are a few examples: 

    Do caves have mouths?

    Are rivers the earth's veins?

    Is the wind the world breathing? 

Hanna’s Comments: Here is a great opportunity to tap into their natural tendency to wonder about God and God’s creation. Doing this encourages faith development, normalizes questions, and accepts exploration of godly possibilities. Wonder questions are an excellent tool for when your children are having a hard time settling down. Show the book cover or an early illustration and ask simple questions such as who, what, or how many they see. Once hooked, engage them in wondering what or who the story is about or where God might be in the book. Within the pages, ask what they see that is beautiful, surprising, or scary. Be sure to listen. Such time together is priceless.

Original Publisher & Date: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021

Age Appropriateness: Age 3 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture that celebrates the mystery and beauty of God’s creation such as Song of Solomon 2:8-15; the creation story (Genesis 1); Land and skies reveal God’s glory (Psalm 19:1); I love your house and the place where your glory abides. (Psalm 26:8)

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: In my Trinity Treasures curriculum, I recommend this book for 4 lessons using the scriptures listed above. (Trinity Sunday in Year A) theme: God Creates, (3 different Sundays after Pentecost in Year B) themes: God’s Place, Land & Skies, Nature’s Goodness.

PBT Applications: Have fun with language after reading this book. Talk about the Hebrew word for breath and spirit being the same word. Have them recall the words about human bodies (mouth, veins, etc.). See if they can come up with similar questions when you have them close their eyes and go on a imagined nature walk together if an actual experience is not plausible. Fill the lesson with gratitude for favorite aspects of creation. Have them yell, "Praise God for trees!" OR "Thank you, God, for beach waves!" This book taps into the new movement in theology called Creation Care, an exploration of what it means to have “dominion” over the animals of the earth (Genesis 1:26). I once heard “dominion” translated by a biblical scholar as “having mastery.” Mastery begins with love, vision, and wonder. In the light of climate change, environmental justice concerns, and our desires to be stewards rather than abusers of Earth, there are many applications to what your children know already. They are naturally curious and play outside more than adults. Encourage your kiddos to explore with their feet and their minds, asking wonder questions about the creation God has given us all. 

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.

Sacred Places x 2

The picture books below are unusual for PBT. Typically, I connect secular books to scriptures or spiritual ideas derived from texts in the Old or New Testaments. The books below are about sacred places in a variety of religious contexts. They are both beautiful and informative and therefore worth exploring for possible applications in ministry settings and classrooms where various religions can be freely discussed.

Picture Book: Sacred Places

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: David Shannon

Summary: Fortunately, this book begins with a simple map of the world for locating each of the 12 religious sites (some ancient, some both ancient and still in use). 

Additionally, you'll find an introductory painting and poem that introduces the idea of a sacred place. A similar poem ends the book. 

What follows is a series of groups of 3: a painting of a sacred site/practice, a poem, and a symbol specific to that religion. Here are some of my favorite paintings: The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, 

Stonehenge,  

Ganga (Ganges River) in India, 

a representative image for all cathedrals, 

and Four Corners in the United States, 

Hanna’s Comments: If you’re not interested in the poetry aligned with each illustration, that’s fine. Here the images are what’s provocative. Make sure your audience can see the illustrations easily. For a richer learning experience, consider pairing some images with photographs that may be easily accessed on the internet. An appendix gives a nice summary for each sacred place. 

Original Publisher & Date: Harcourt, 1996

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3rd and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You’ll find 1 image of The Wailing Wall and 1 image for Christian cathedrals (both above).

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults in a small group and explore their understanding of what defines a sacred versus a secular place. Be sure to encourage them to share their own experiences with these and other sacred places.

Picture Book: Sacred Places

Author: Philemon Sturges

Illustrator: Giles Laroche

Summary: A Note to the Reader begins this book. It lists 3 questions people throughout history have asked:

Where did I come from?

How should I live my life?

What happens to me when I die?

You'll find cut-paper illustrations of 28 places inspired by the faith of 5 of the world’s most prevalent religions (3 from the Abrahamic tradition, Hinduism, and Buddhism). There's a caption that gives dates and explains specific religious practices for each site. Additionally, there is larger text for reading aloud. The cover image above is of  Shore Temple in India. The image below is of Chartres Cathedral in France. 

My favorites illustrations? Great Mosque (Niger), 

The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel (France), 

Sokkuram Grotto Shrine (Korea),

the Kaaba (Saudi Arabia), 

and Concord Baptist Church (United States).

Hanna’s Comments: These images are busier and less ethereal, but the variety of places is nice. Unfortunately, sacred sites on the continents of South America and Australia are not included. I love the ending that says, “some sacred places aren’t made by people at all.” 

It closes with a map and legend to mark all 28 sites.

Original Publisher & Date: Putnam & Sons, 2000
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1^st and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: You’ll find several sites inspired by the Old or New Testaments.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to explore the spiritual practice of pilgrimage, the Celtic concept of thin places, and/or the questions, “What makes a place sacred?” and “When have you felt a sense of awe because of a place?" Be sure to allow time for personal storytelling.  

PBT Redux #22 An Orange in January

I’m ending the PBT series on The Fruit of the Spirit with 3 re-posts. Here and on Friday I feature a secular book about fruit in general. Then I’ll re-post a sacred book about Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit. The book below is from the first year of PBT. To connect it to Galatians, have your audience consider the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit by finding a living metaphor for each of the stages in the orange's journey. 

Picture Book: An Orange in January

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Julie Maren

Summary: This is the story of one orange. It begins as a blossom in a land that glows with warm spring light. It ends across the world, in a young boy’s hands as he shares it with his school friends on a snowy playground. Across the distance, the orange offers its nectar to bees, ripens on a tree, and is picked and placed in a bag, then a basket, then a truck, then a grocery store, then a school lunchbox. At last, several children enjoy the sweet yummy goodness of the orange sections, even in January.

Hanna’s Comments: I am guilty of taking it for granted that an orange is available to me in the middle of winter. Use this book to help a young audience savor the beauty of an orange, appreciate the complexity of its route, and taste one of God’s great gifts. Talk about how an orange used to be a very rare treat and still is for many in our world who don’t have the means or accessibility to exotic or off-season foods. Mention the joy of sharing such delights and consider what other treats are worthy of further attention. Then relate these joys to savoring and praising God’s goodness in worship and all day long.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8); The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children while sharing sections of oranges. Talk about savoring God’s goodness and the importance of praise and gratitude to God. OR Consider the orange's journey as a metaphor for the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit.

PBT Redux Series #8 - Ruth and the Green Book

To continue my series in which I post again some of the best PBT books published in this century, I chose a story from American history that I believe the whole world should know. This picture book will offer another opportunity to explore how spiritual values can be tied to important historical phenomena. This book also reminds Americans how things used to be here. I believe remembering our history (especially our mistakes) is especially important politically and spiritually.

My impetus for posting this particular book today is an announcement I heard on Central Alabama's public radio WBHM. A play has opened in Birmingham that explores the relationship between black people and Jewish people during segregation. Highlighted in this drama is The Green Book, the title of the play and a publication for African Americans who were traveling through the segregated south. The WBHM article explains that The Green Book was inspired by a similar book published for Jews. Here's the story I heard and details about the play if you'd like to learn more. Below is my previous PBT post describing a fabulous picture book which tells the importance of The Green Book through the eyes of a young girl. 

Picture Book: Ruth and the Green Book

Author: Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Summary: Ruth is excited because she and her parents are driving from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandmother. It’s the 1950s so before the trip, Ruth’s mother spends days cooking meals knowing there will be few restaurants willing to serve Negros. After being rejected from various gas stations, hotels, and restaurants, Ruth’s family spends the night it their car. Eventually they learn to look for Esso stations where they will be welcomed. At one Esso, they purchase The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide to places that would welcome black travelers. Ruth learns to use the book and is so happy to experience the hospitality of fellow African Americans.

Hanna’s Comments: I am a passionate advocate of the spiritual practice of hospitality so I especially loved the part of this story where Ruth’s family is welcomed into a “tourist home.” These were homes listed in The Green Book where travelers were warmly welcomed, in this case for no charge and a fun night’s sleep. In the back of the book, find The History of The Negro Motorist Green Book. 2014 was the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill which outlawed Jim Crow Laws and therefore also the anniversary of the last edition of The Green Book. Thank goodness, this book is now a relic of the last century and no longer necessary for black individuals to comfortably travel for long distances. It is my prayer that families in our country will never have to travel in fear, surrounded by hatred.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as the native among you (Leviticus 19:34); the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:30-37); seek to show hospitality (Romans 12:13); do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2); show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this picture book in a lesson or sermon on how scripture, like The Green Book, can be a comfort, a safety net, and a guide. Also, consider that the author of The Green Book might have been inspired by God’s desires for humans to be safe and hospitable in all situations.

Loyalties that Go Beyond Borders

Picture Book: Grandfather’s Journey

Author & Illustrator: Allen Say

Summary: Winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal, this beautiful story is about an immigrant who comes to the United States as a young man from Japan. 

Fascinated with the American geography, 

American industry, 

America's beauty, 

and people of The United States, 

Grandfather would walk for days just to experience his new country. 

Once settled in California, he returned to Japan to bring home a bride. 

They had a daughter. 

When she was nearly grown, Grandfather missed his homeland so much that his family returned to Japan to live. Then he missed America. 

In Japan, his daughter married and gave birth to the author who loved hearing of Grandfather’s America. 

Grandfather longed to visit America again, but WWII prevented his return.

When the author was nearly grown, he too moved to America.

Quickly he began to understand why Grandfather had loved America so deeply despite missing his homeland of Japan.

Hanna’s Comments: This story is deeply personal, but the grandfather’s emotions are shared by millions of people across the globe whose patriotism includes places beyond their country of origin. I am struck by the people all over the world who participated in The Women’s March. These beyond border connections make our world community more like family. How does this relate to scripture? Consider the loyalty the Jews always have for Jerusalem despite their distance from it. The foreign crowds at Pentecost are proof. How about the Irish? They have a contagious enthusiasm for life and unyielding love for St. Patrick, a man of God all Christians should know well. All over the world seekers find themselves on pilgrimages to spiritual places such as Iona (Scotland), the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Lordes (France), or The Vatican. These are Christian pilgrimages, but many sacred sites that are not "Christian" still summon a reverence from visitors no matter their spiritual heritage. When sacred sites are destroyed. We all lose. When we have strong relationships with people across oceans, our world is smaller. When we visit another country and see God’s creative diversity, we can be grateful. Our belief in God’s abundance leaves no room for a scarcity model of love, beauty, or loyalty.

Original Publisher & Date: Houghton Mifflin, 1993

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, audio

Scripture Connections: Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people…” (Ruth 1:16); (Jesus) came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10); every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a small group of adults in a lesson about patriotic zeal and connections across borders. Emphasize that our loyalties to multiple countries and their citizens doesn’t divide our allegiance. Instead, the love God instills in us for diverse places and persons demonstrates God’s abundant gifts and our gratitude.

Sunrise Hope

Picture Book: Where the Sunrise Begins

Author: Douglas Wood

Illustrator: Wendy Popp

Summary: This beautiful book continually asks the question, “Where does the sunrise begin?” 

Focusing on one child at a time, the illustrations gently discount possible geographic locations as the place where the sunrise begins. This happens at first with a child at the beach, 

then with a child each in particular environs such as a wood and a lake, and then with a child in Africa,

Asia, 

and the Middle East. 

To wrap up the initial child is shown with his parents, 

and an explanation follows. Every moment brings the sunrise to someone in the world. “Wherever there is a heart that loves the light, that holds a place for hope, and feels gratitude for each new day, in that heart the sun is always rising and helping to fill the world with light. Where does the sunrise begin? The sunrise begins in you.”

Hanna’s Comments: This misty morning picture book encourages its readers to realize that each new day, for everyone in the world, there is an opportunity to embrace joy and look at the world through fresh eyes, with renewed hope. Note that this is a book written from a particular locale in the world, using the words “our own native land” and Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are away.

Original Publisher & Date: Simon & Schuster, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The steadfast love of the Lord is new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations:22-23); Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12); Connect this story to any Bible story that is about hope or a new day such as the Christmas or Easter events, Jeremiah 29:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, or Revelation 21:1.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson for children about the hope and possibilities that each day brings because of your faith. This would be perfect for a lesson soon after Christmas Day or before or on New Year’s Day.