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. 

PBT Redux #27 No Dogs Allowed

I’m on vacation this week so I'm going with a repeat of a post about a book celebrating the joys of getting away. This story about a fun day trip was one of my favorite discoveries during my first year of PBT. That year I posted about a book every day! You can take this comical story in many serious directions or stay with the fun of it. Spiritual practices that it touches on include hospitality, inclusion, accommodation, rule following, feasting, and being present when someone (or some group) is left out.  

Picture Book: No Dogs Allowed

Author: Sonia Manzano

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: This is a story of a New York City family taking a day trip to Enchanted State Park to enjoy the lake. But it is so much more! Iris first introduces us to her family, a cast of caricatures that will have you giggling. Tons of food are prepared, bulging cases of necessities are packed, and a decision is made to bring El Exigente, the dog. Neighbors come along with their many necessities and vibrant personalities. A long line of cars streams out of the city bulging with folks ready to be enchanted. After some car trouble, all arrive and see a sign at the edge of the parking lot, “NO DOGS ALLOWED.” While they “figure out what to do,” they stake their claim along the edge of the parking lot and pull out the food, games, and sunbathing paraphernalia. The humans take turns entertaining El Exigente who dutifully sits in the parking lot. When there is nothing left to eat and the sun is going down, the throng piles back into their cars and heads home, knowing that even El Exigente had an enchanting time at Enchanted State Park.    

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a delightful book, and there is so much more here than the comedy and turmoil of a day trip. You’ll find a spirit of loving acceptance, even for those who are self-centered or peculiar. At the heart of this family is a joyous hospitality and resilience with a determination that all will have fun no matter the circumstances, even if there are NO DOGS ALLOWED. I kept thinking as I read this book, if only our faith communities were this accepting, hospitable, and resilient. If only everyone could be so lovingly attentive and accommodating. Perhaps you can lead your family of faith into such suppositions with the help of this fun picture book and some scripture that ties it all together.   

Original Publisher & Date: Atheneum Books, 2004

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17); on these two commandments (Love the Lord, Your God… and the Golden Rule) depend all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:34-40); Jesus goes to the bent over woman (Luke 13:10-17); Jesus addresses Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10); a boy shares his loaves and fishes (John 6:5); Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11)

Idea(s) for Application:  Consider using this book to help children understand how Jesus respected the ancient Hebrew Laws, but he sometimes broke them and argued that what God intended for The Law was being ignored by the Pharisees. 

Iowa Presentation: Book #3

This simple but profound book was a favorite at my 2 CEF conference presentations in Iowa! Check out the PowerPoint for that presentation in the "Presentations & Resources by Hanna" tab above. Here's my original post with some additional scripture connections: 

This brand-new picture book is about empowering positive responses to the anger and hatred we see in media. It will prompt meaningful faith-based conversations with children and adults about how together our small actions will make a difference. This story ends with an invitation to you!

Picture Book: Come with Me

Author: Holly M. McGhee

Illustrator: Pascal Lemaitre

Summary: A little girl is fearful while watching the stream of news. The anger and hatred that she sees - "people against people"- is troubling.

She asks her papa how she could help. His response? "Come with me." They go to the subway. 

While there, the girl notices her father tips his hat to everyone he meets so she does the same. 

As they ride the subway, they are willing to risk kindness and connection. 

These small acts help them overcome their fears and connect them to each other and the people in the world. 

The news of violence and hate doesn't end. 

The girl turns to her mama next, asking how to make the world better. 

 

Her mama says, "Come with me." This time the journey is to their local grocery store where they see the bounty and diversity of our world. 

The little girl realizes that a person she has seen on the screen doesn't tell her about one person or one family or one race or one people. 

Once home, the ritual of setting the table and eating a meal are grounding to her as is the company of her parents and her dog.

She becomes inspired and more confident! She asks if she can walk her dog so she can do something on her own to make the world better. 

Her parents consider this. It's risky, but they decide to let her go, another sort of message to the world - a refusal to live in fear. 

Just as the little girl exits, a neighbor asks where she is going. 

She decides two people are better than one. Like her parents, she offers an invitation, "Come with me." 

He does come and together they discover that it's good to be outside. 

They see the world is not so bad. All living things deserve their bravery, gentleness, strength, and kindness.  

They see simple ways they can respond with goodness 

and learn that even small gestures matter to the world. 

Everyone's small contributions matter too. They can even come together for more goodness.

To end the young hero speaks to the reader, "Your part matters, too. Come with me."

Hanna’s Comments: This timely story proclaims that hiding in fear and homogeneity is not going to make our divided world better. It's a clarion call to action for children that will be heard by adults who will be reminded that children watch what they do and mimic their approaches to the world. I love that these small acts are doable - goodness in simple and hopeful ways. It's reassuring to consider how simple gestures matter too. The author & illustrator offer a dedication explaining that this book was written "in honor of friendship, bravery, and the fact that we aren't powerless, no matter how small and insignificant we may feel." The scripture connections are so many! 

Original Publisher & Date: Putnam’s, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Diversity in Creation (Genesis 1:20-25); Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless; plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:17); We are the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8); The grounding of rituals (Matthew 7:24-25); Jesus says, "Come follow me." (Matthew 4:19); Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32); Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (Romans 12:9); Extend hospitality to strangers (Romans 12:13b); Diversity in The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:15-19); Who is wise and understanding among you? By your good conduct show works in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to begin a conversation with your faith family about responses to anger, hatred, and violence in our world. This book would be especially great for parenting class or a small group of parents.

Grab & Go #15 - Big Jabe

Below I've again featured a book from an earlier PBT post. The books in this series have such obvious connections to scripture that you can literally grab the book, read it to your audience, and then ask them what scripture connections they find. For children, you'll likely need to provide some prompting. 

Picture Book: Big Jabe
Author: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Summary: Addy, a young slave, discovers baby Jabe while fishing. Soon Big Jabe is huge & seems responsible for extraordinary, even magical feats. When the overseer blames other slaves for the changes, those slaves disappear, including Addy. Big Jabe moves on to other plantations continuing his work of lifting burdens in miraculous ways.
Hanna’s Comments: This author and this illustrator are two of my favorites! Their story is a tall tale with an American slavery context. There are at least 3 obvious connections with Bible stories and I'm not even counting the theme of slavery. It's an amazing but complicated and somewhat dark story that your children will love. There's a lot here to talk about, much of it biblical in nature.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Amistad, 2005

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Moses in the basket (Exodus 2:1-10); slaves escaping (Exodus); loads of fish in the net (Luke 5:4-7); Peter & Silas have their chains loosened while in prison (Acts 12:6-11)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides a lesson at your church for elementary-aged children, teens, or adult, this book could enhance a fabulous homeschool or private school lesson on tall tales that would encourage some great Bible story reading.

How Big is Your Umbrella?

Below I feature my favorite picture book find so far this year! It is so simple and yet so profound and beautiful. It will definitely be reposted in the PBT Grab & Go category eventually.

Picture Book: The Big Umbrella

Author/Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Author: Juniper Bates 

Summary: A friendly umbrella is the protagonist of this fabulous picture book. It waits by the door. See its upside down face? 

 It hopes to be grabbed... 

and taken into the world.

It's really big...  

and loves to give shelter.  

 It doesn't matter who... or what you are! Really tall? 

Really hairy?  

Really plaid? 

Lots of legs? No matter, all are welcome! 

There's always room for anyone    

and everyone! 

Hanna’s Comments: If only all our umbrellas (and our invitations) had such smiles and capacities to grow! Obvious connections abound to the sacred practice of hospitality and issues of inclusion (so important in today's news headlines!). Under-girding this simple story and these beautiful images are God-ordained, scriptural themes of kindness, empathy, and a willingness to be squeezed into the joy of companionship. There are other PBT books Amy June Bates has illustrated, but this book is particularly special to her because she wrote it with her daughter, Juniper, who was only eleven at the time. The idea came as they were sharing an umbrella. Check out her illustrations in a book about vocation and giftedness called You Can Do It! here. She has 3 books about popular psalms. You'll find Let’s Make a Joyful Noise and I Will Rejoice featured here. Give Thanks to the Lord is a great book to read near an autumn holiday. Find it here. 

Original Publisher & Date: Simon & Schuster, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as a native (Leviticus 19:34); Love your neighbor (Mark 12:31); Parable of the Banquet Guests (Luke 14:15-24); show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: The sacred practice of hospitality and issues of inclusion are lesson topics important for all ages. Don't let the simplicity of this story keep you from reading it to audiences beyond their early elementary years. Consider questions of who is really welcome at your church and how you show hospitality in light of the difficulty some folks have walking into church communities. 

Grab & Go #14 – Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

A PBT Grab & Go book requires little planning because its content aligns obviously with theological ideas from The Bible. Bucket Filling is all about love. There are numerous resources, including other picture books, about the concept of bucket filling as a metaphor for the importance of loving attention. I've scattered a few covers of some of those resources in this repeated post from 2014. 

Picture Book: Have You Filled a Bucket Today?                                                     A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

Author: Carol McCloud

Illustrator: David Messing

Summary: Based on the adult book How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, this picture book puts those authors’ ideas in an inviting format for children. The guiding metaphor here is that each of us has been carrying an invisible bucket since birth. The purpose of the bucket is to hold good thoughts and feelings about yourself. You need others to fill your bucket by being loving to you, and they need you to fill their bucket by being loving to them. What’s wonderful is that the act of filling someone else’s bucket fills your bucket as well. You feel good when you help others feel good. However, you might sometimes be a “bucket dipper.” Bucket dipping occurs when you take away someone’s good feelings by saying or doing mean things to them.

Hanna’s Comments:  I chose this "bucket" book because it teaches children how to fill others’ buckets and focuses on how our actions influence others’ well-being. This is an important aspect of any faith community. Another strength of this book is the way in which it teaches empathy, an important skill for personal resilience and functional community. Find an introduction by the author. For more information and resources including free downloads, visit www.bucketfillers101.com.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Ferne Press, 2006

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Amateur videos on Youtube.com where there is also a song about being bucket fillers.

Scripture Connections: This is my commandment that you love one another (John 15:12); rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15); be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32); all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, love, a tender heart and a humble mind

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book when doing a lesson for children on your faith community’s loving interdependence and God's call to live in this way.

God's Extraordinary Multiplication

Yesterday, I heard a friend preach on laity Sunday. She might think of herself as ordinary, but she declared in an extraordinary way that God is a God of multiplication! This PBT post is inspired by her. 

Picture Book: Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed

Author: Emily Pearson

Illustrator: Fumi Kosaka  

Summary: This story will inspire you and your kids to bless the world! It begins with a random act of kindness. Ordinary Mary sees an ordinary blueberry bush and picks ordinary blueberries for her neighbor. 

Mrs. Bishop is delighted so she responds with her own act of kindness: blueberry muffins for 5 friends. The number 5 is important in this story. You'll see why later. 

One of Mrs. Bishop's friends is her paperboy Billy. Instead of throwing papers in the bushes, that morning he hand delivers them. 

Mr. Stevens, who is leaving on a trip, receives his paper from Billy and is inspired to smile the entire 10 hour trip and help 5 people with their baggage! 

Maria and her little boy James are glad for Mr. Stevens' help and smile. Maria and James spread the joy to 5 people while shopping. They give some oranges to Joseph who shuffles to his bus with a full heart. 

Sarah's heavy bag breaks so Joseph gives her a new one that he has made. Sarah decides to shine on 5 people today.

On a boat, Sarah encounters a very sad Sophia. Sarah compliments Sophia on her beautiful blue eyes. 

Such an affirmation has Sophia calling 5 people to show her love, including her son Tom. 

Tom decides to give 5 balloons to 5 children who are his patients. One of them is Peter who is thrilled with the balloons. 

While on his way, Peter helps Eric, a teenager who is struggling with groceries. 

Eric is so relieved he vows to help 5 people. His sister Di is the first. He teaches Di to ride his skateboard. Di decides to be a friend to 5 people that day. 

She chooses to buy a lunch for Louise, a homeless woman in the park. Believing she has nothing to give, Louise still determines to give something to 5 people. 

When she finds a wallet and returns it to the owner, Mr. Taylor gives Louise a job in his store. 

Also, Mr. Taylor gives a theatre ticket to Kate, a tourist who's heart was set on seeing a sold-out show. 

Kate is so inspired she vows to give 5 gifts. One gift goes to her little niece, Mary - Ordinary Mary! 

It's a circle story! How can this be? Multiplication! 

Mary's gesture led to a response to 5 people who all responded likewise, exponentially! Mary's small and random act of kindness grew and grew and grew!

In 16 days, Mary's generosity had spread to every person in the whole world. That's how Mary's ordinary love spread in such an extraordinary way. 

Hanna’s Comments: I took these photographs a while back and had an earlier version of the book. Try to find the 15^th anniversary publication (published in 2002 or later). In that version, some characters' gender, name, and ethnicity have been changed to reflect a diverse global view. Such characterizations better demonstrate God's extraordinarily diverse humanity. Earlier at PBT, I featured a book with a similar but simpler plot. You might want to read that post and consider Glenna's Seeds. There I also mentioned another similar book: One Good Deed. You have several options with this theme of God's multiplying ways.

Original Publisher & Date: Gibbs Smith, 2002

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: Connect this story to scripture stories about God's extraordinary model of multiplication such as... in Genesis 1:20-25 (living creatures); in Genesis 12 & 17 (Abraham and Sarah's descendants and blessings); and in all 4 gospels (loaves and fishes)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith family and talk about how God might help them bless the world. Their acts of generosity and love paired with God's multiplying ways can spread farther than they can ever know.