Another Nora's Ark!

I started PBT Easter morning of 2014. That first year, I posted a book everyday! Since that year, I've posted less often, but you'll find 900 or so books here connected to scripture with ideas for using them in ministry, church-based schools, family devotions, and even spiritual direction. 

That first year, I featured a book called Nora's Ark. It was a play on the plot of Noah's story in Genesis. That humorous book, based on a true story, featured a hospitable and compassionate elderly woman who opened her home to neighbors during a flood. Find that post HERE .  

Today's book with the same title is about a preschool girl who pretends to be Noah in her unique and playful ways. Young children will enjoy this newer book! Nora knows the Bible story well and is enjoying being a problem solver and a caretaker to her friends, both animal and human.

At the end of this post, I'll give you a link to another Noah's Ark inspired PBT book. That one has a science fiction slant and has much more text so it's best for tweens and older. Below I'll also mention my strategies when dealing with the Bible story of Noah, which for some children and families may be quite troubling.

Picture Book: Nora’s Ark

Author: Eileen Spinelli

Illustrator: Nora Hilb

Summary: After a prediction of rain, little Nora is inspired by Noah. She builds an ark for herself, her animal toys, a few live animals that happened to be near, her little brother Frankie, and her friends who eventually wander away. Throughout the text it says Nora is being "Just like Noah. Well... not just like Noah." Then you turn the page and discover that little Nora has taken a lot of creative license with the Bible story! The illustrations are great fun so allow ways for your audience to get in close.

Hanna’s Comments: In this beautiful book, I especially love the way Nora is imaginatively exploring this Bible story that she knows quite well and has taken to heart! Isn't that what we are all supposed to do with our sacred scriptures? Think of this book as a preschoolers playful lectio divina! 

Anytime we allow for creative play in children, we are affirming not only healthy joy but also the gifts of creativity and problem solving that God "imaged" in all humans. In Genesis 1:27, where it says that God made us humans in God's own image, I believe it is God's own loving creativity that is God's greatest gift to humans. Allowing time for creative play gives time for children to experiment with story, perspective (building loving empathy!), social-emotional skills, consequences, and even STEM concepts. 

Little Nora builds in ways that are testing her environment and her caretaking inclinations. For this book and the book linked below, you have children engaging in critical thinking with joy and beautiful consequences. 

An easy lesson would be to present the scripture in Genesis. Then read 1 or more of the other books. You might do a whole month of Noah's Ark lessons! Allow the children to find the connections across and between the books and the scripture. Help them see beyond the plot details (especially the troubling ones) to themes like faithfulness, hospitality, generosity, and cleverness. All of these are present in the biblical text and in the picture books. Then allow them to have their own creative responses to this important story. 

Present the story as non-violently as is age-appropriate. If, like me, you view this as a mythic story that is shared by cultures across our globe, present it as such. If your perspective is the story happened as written, be ready to address the questions of violence and suffering that may come from your audience.

Original Publisher: Zonderkidz, 2013

Age Appropriateness: 2 and up

Formats other than Book: Audio book

Scripture Connections: Made in God's image (Genesis 1:27); Noah's Ark (Genesis 6-9) 

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: This book has been added to my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum for 2 lessons - a Pentecost lesson in Year A (theme Noah's Ark) and a Lent lesson in Year B (theme: God's Rainbow Promise).

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of preschoolers after you tell them the story of Noah. Then ask them to make an ark for everyone in the room to enjoy! Talk about what makes them feel safe and ask how God helps them feel safe.

Violence in Noah's Story: I manage this troubling story by dividing it into two stories. The first involves God's request, Noah and his family's responses, the gathering of animals, and the launch of the Ark as the rains come. This initial plot has themes about obedience, faithfulness, courage (social & bodily!), cooperation, and family ties. The 2nd part of the story begins when the rain ends. You still have plenty to talk about! The clever dove strategy, the ark's landing, again Noah and his family's responses to their new reality, and the rainbow promise from God are the key components. This last part of the story leans into conversation about hope, endurance, patience, loss, resilience, reliance, and promises. 

HERE is another PBT book inspired by Noah's story! It is a PBT Grab & Go book, meaning you will need to prepare very little to use this book in ministry. It offers much for tweens, teens, and adults to explore! If you want to present it to younger audiences, show the illustrations and tell the story because there is a lot of text. 

Other PBT Grab & Go books can be easily found by typing "Grab & Go" into the search box or clicking on that particular search label at the bottom of the web version.

If you are interested in learning more 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 agree to fill out the monthly feedback form.

Circles Circles Circles

Circles are a favorite motif for me! They hold much in the way of symbolism for life and my spiritual journey. They can be viewed as a directional line. Seasons, relationships, and life issues come and go and then return. And circles can be viewed as expanding or contracting inner spaces & community spaces. In both spaces, the potential for connections are infinite in number and rich meaning.  

Below details of today's book, find links to 3 other books about circles featured here at PBT.

Picture Book: The Circles All Around Us

Author: Brad Montague

Illustrator: Brad & Kristi Montague

Summary: In rhymed verse, a child teaches how to draw a small circle around self to represent our safe small 1-person space. Keeping that circle small and closed would be like "a library with just one book on the shelf." 

Next we are urged to draw a bigger circle, one for family. Then we see other circles for friends, often times even bigger. Concentric circles are shown for each community of connection. Hospitality is encouraged, even when differences in language and custom make it uncomfortable, because...

    there's a difference we can make

    and a love we can all show.

The acknowledgement that being in an expanding circle is not easy is rich material for conversation. Sharing space is hard. It's also hard to leave a circle to become a member of another circle. But there is joy and wonder and a sense that bigger, expanding circles are what life and love are all about!  

Hanna’s Comments: Interestingly, this book is from the creator of the Kid President web series. This author/illustrator is the person you don't usually see in those videos. If I haven’t convinced you of the powerful metaphor of circles, perhaps Father Richard Rohr can. On 4/11/22, in his daily email titled Expanding Circles of Love, he wrote the only way he knows to love God is to love what God loves. This is everything and everyone! God loves God's creation! Such inclusive love results in a "constant expansion beyond ourselves to loving others," which is what you see in this picture book.  

Here's my favorite spiritual idea about circles. Its an ancient metaphor also about loving others as a way of loving God. The world can be viewed not as circle expansion but as circle contraction, if that contraction is also toward God. This process was uniquely demonstrated via a circle diagram or compass by desert father Abba Dorotheos of Gaza in the 500s CE (spelled Dorotheos & Dorotheus). God is the center of the world's circle. An infinite number of straight lines represent each of us (Rohr would emphasize these are persons AND things) who in moving towards God also moves toward others. See Rohr's words above about the best way to love God.

Original Publisher: Dial Books, 2021

Age Appropriateness: 5 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The 2 Great Commandments: love God and neighbor (Mark 12:28-31 & Luke 10:25-28) and other scriptures about loving connections; Any scripture about community such as those describing the early Christian churches (Acts 2:42-47)

PBT Applications: This picture book and the ideas of Rohr and Dorotheos invite you to play with circles as symbols of community and connection. Do this with art supplies, floor diagrams & games, and discussions after each experience. Use circle stencils, hula-hoops, geometry compasses, protractors, big paper plates or pizza pans, posters cut into circles, etc. 

Other PBT books about circles:

Circle of Thanks

Circle Unbroken

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

Maundy Thursday Table Hospitality

 

In honor of today’s liturgical holiday, Maundy Thursday, I give you wise words from theologian & church historian Diana Butler Bass about Jesus' inclination to offer table hospitality.

Also, I post again a picture book that expresses extravagant hospitality (for a party). It’s the latest PBT Grab & Go book (Xander’s Panda Party)! These  you can literally grab & go, trusting there are many theological connections.

At the end of this post, I give a shortcut for finding more books about table hospitality at PBT! 

Here is a key paragraph from Butler Bass’ post, but if you want to read her entire post, click here.

Jesus loved meals. They (those with him at his last supper) knew that. They’d had so many together. Go back through the gospels and see how many of the stories take place at tables, distributing food, or inviting people to supper. Indeed, some have suggested that Jesus primary work was organizing suppers as a way to embody the coming kingdom of God. Throughout his ministry, Jesus welcomed everyone — to the point of contention with his critics — to the table. Tax collectors, sinners, women, Gentiles, the poor, faithful Jews, and ones less so. Jesus was sloppy with supper invitations. He never thought about who would be seated next to whom. He made the disciples crazy with his lax ideas about dinner parties. All he wanted was for everybody to come, to be at the table, and share food and conversation. 

PBT Grab & Go #20

Picture Book: Xander’s Panda Party

Author: Linda Sue Park

Illustrator: Matt Phelan

Summary: In very clever verse, Park captures the frustrations of planning a party. Xander wants to have a party. He carefully creates his invitation, menu, and guest list. As he invites various species of animals at the zoo, he realizes important species are being left out. For instance, Xander begins by inviting other bears. The koala "bear" protests, complaining that being a marsupial, not a bear, means she's not invited. So Xander expands his guest list to include all mammals. At other times, animals who are invited complain, that their cross-species friends can't come. Rhinoceros says, 
"It may sound a bit absurd, 
but I won't come without my bird." 
Similar guest list conundrums arise, but Xander's hospitable nature has him expanding the species of animals he will invite. Eventually, all creatures are invited to Xander's party, even the humans at the zoo.

Hanna’s Comments: Animal taxonomy (how species are organized) is explored throughout this delightful story so your children might learn a little science while hearing about being more inclusive and hospitable. The author also offers a note at the end with some history about animal taxonomies. For these reasons, this book would be a wonderful part of an elementary science lesson on animal classification. Homeschools or private schools could connect this story to The Parable of the Banquet Guests or the spiritual practice of hospitality. It would be an excellent read-aloud in a worship service, especially when hospitality is the theme. Point out how Panda is also using his empathy skills, an important part of loving neighbors as directed in the scriptures. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 2013 

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

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

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: Read this book in a lesson or as part of a sermon on the importance of inclusion, avoiding exclusive practices, and practicing hospitality.

From The Doorbell Rang by Hutchins

For more picture books about table hospitality, go to the search box and type in  "table hospitality."

                        From Bear Says Thanks by Wilson & Chapman

Hello from Around the World!

Picture Book: Hello World: 

                        A Celebration of Languages and Curiosities

Author: Jonathan Litton

Illustrator: L ’Atelier Cartographik

Summary: This is a big red book with a set of captivating first 3 sentences: 

Hello starts friendships. 

Hello opens doors. 

Hello brings smiles. 

This author says learning to say hello in other languages enriches friendships, makes experiences more exotic, and even creates broader smiles. Amazingly, learning the 10 hellos on the first double page spread will allow you to greet over half of the world's population! The next double page spreads show the world regionally. 

Each double page spread starts with an introduction which might be just enough for you to read aloud.  In each language region (countries mostly), there are small flaps. On the outside of each flap, you'll find the word for hello. Inside the flap is the pronunciation and a short fact. After reading the introductions, open a few of the small flaps and have fun saying hello together.

There are a few additional regional sections as sidebars. For instance, there is an interesting section about Siberia - locals say your words will freeze there when temperatures are especially low. Also, you'll find comments about the look of writing. The book ends with a spread about saying good-bye.

Hanna’s Comments: I especially love a book that embraces the beautiful diversity of God's creation and the spiritual practice of hospitality! When you run across a fabulous book like this one that is not your typical read-loud, rely on your creativity. Ask some unusual questions. Don't just think of picture books as read-aloud experiences. Are there unusual ways this book can be experienced and explored? Can you be inspired by its content to create fascinating hands-on or whole body experiences? Does the art hint at an activity? 

Look for the sequel and use it in your plans! Hello World Animals: An Amazing Atlas of Wildlife. 

This sequel opens doors for talking about the important practice of theological ecology and care for Earth's creatures. They are God's beloved creatures too! 

Original Publisher: Caterpillar Books, 2016

Age Appropriateness: Age 5 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Any of the many scriptures about God's encouragement for us to practice hospitality such as: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers... (Hebrews 13:12), and  the story of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13.

PBT Applications: This big book could be used for emphasizing how the global church started at Pentecost as described in Acts and how language was a key factor in that story. Can't you hear all the hellos that day!? OR Talk about the power of a hello in various settings, especially where you experience the love of your faith family. Don't you want visitors to experience that too? Ask: How do we show hello with our eyes? our hands? our faces? our whole bodies?

At present, if you go to the search labels below (web version) and hit "Hospitality," you'll be taken to 59 PBT posts. Here are some links to shortcut you to other PBT books about saying "hello" or the spiritual practice of hospitality. For little hands, you might consider this similar but much simpler board book: 

3 More PBT Books about Saying Hello: Say Hello 

another Say Hello! and Hello, Hello

God's Hospitality: God's Diner

Church Hospitality: 3 books

For Very Young Children: Several Books

The Pure Fun of Hospitality: And Away We Go!

African Examples: Mama Panya's Pancakes

In a Cloud of Dust

Resisting Boundaries: No Dog's Allowed

Strictly No Elephants

2 Simple & to the Point: The Big Umbrella

Yo! Yes?

A Classic: A House for Hermit Crab

A Bible Story Re-imagined: Nora's Ark

About Civil Rights History: Ruth and the Green Book

Want books about refuges? Hit that label among the search labels. At present there are 6 PBT posts about that important issue. Many are about hospitality.

Still My Favorite Picture Book!

I started PBT Easter morning, 2014. My hope was to offer easy, untapped resources to churches, families, and schoolteachers. I did not predict how much pleasure and rich experience I would receive as I discovered more and more picture books. 

I’ve said many times: PICTURE BOOKS ARE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER! 

BUT after reading over 1000 picture books, no picture book surpasses for me All the World by Scanlon & Frazee! If you don’t know it, get it in your hands as soon as possible. It is a great book for a holiday gathering, particularly a holiday about being thankful! All the World comes in board book form, but your youngest children can likely attend to the big book. It’s so beautiful you'll want those big illustrations!

Here is a link to my most recent PBT post about All the World. There you'll see many of its beautiful pages:

http://www.picturebooktheology.com/2018/10/iowa-presentation-book-1.html

In the tab above called Other Resources by Hanna, scroll down and checkout the slideshow to my presentation: 5 Secular Picture Books, 25 Ministry Applications. All the World is the 1^st book I describe. You’ll find 4 other great books highlighted in that presentation.

Get it! I hope you are glad you did! 

PBT Guest Author: Rebecca Lile

A while back, a friend gave me a picture book. He is a United Methodist pastor who I greatly respect. Then came the bonus: The author was a mutual friend of ours from college, Rebecca Lile! What I found in those beautiful pages is what I believe to be the heart of Jesus’ message: All are welcome because all are loved unconditionally. On the 1st 2 pages: 

God's Diner is open; please come one and all.

All creatures are welcome, the great and the small.

Rebecca is a resident of Waynesville, NC. She was ordained as a diaconal minister in The United Methodist Church where she is a life-long member who witnessed her father serve as a pastor. I was interested in her creative process and the logistics of getting a book published when not a professional writer. She said it took about 2 years, 1 full year for the illustrator’s images to be completed. Rebecca was able to make some suggestions and requests, but mostly, Patrick Brooks worked independently from her.

Before writing, Rebecca was told editors would prefer prose, but that didn’t seem to work for this story, instead her writing came in verse: 

No longer is color or status or size

a way to divide us when seen through God's eyes.

What a welcome and welcoming message! Besides the theme of inclusion, another important theme for Rebecca is creation care. She has several books floating around in her head & journals, but God's Diner is the book she most wanted to write.

When I asked Rebecca about her purposes for writing this book, she explained that she wanted to leave a legacy to her 2 sons, the church, and our world. This book will make the church (and therefore the world) better!

Transforming our faith communities 1 person at a time, is what Rebecca has in mind in God’s Diner. Many people come into churches, questioning whether they will be truly welcome, perhaps even questioning if they truly deserve to be there. She hopes church people (all ages!) see themselves in both the hosts' & seekers' roles. Discovering compassion for self & others and how these roles are integrated will bring transformation to the church. I asked Rebecca...

What are a few of your favorite picture books?                        (2 embedded links for PBT books already here)

The hardest question for book lovers! I'll list just a very few:

The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

    The prequel to this great book is also at PBT, posted the                 previous day! 

The Empty Pot by Demi

    A fabulous book about honesty & giftedness!

Purple, Green and Yellow by Robert Munsch

Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B Williams

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears by Rylant & Howard

How have you used picture books in ministry?

I use children's books in ministry in both children & adult education (in Sunday School, children's sermons, preschool storytime, summer camps/community centers, & retirement homes). I simply read the book and create questions & activities to complement. 

For example, if I'm looking at our call to be good stewards of Mother Earth, I might use The Little Hummingbird by Yahgulanaas. I'll create questions around what each one of us might do to be a part of the solution.

What various ways do you envision God’s Diner being used in ministry?

I would absolutely love to see God's Diner in the hands of every one of God's children, because I truly believe no child should ever have to wonder if God loves them. But since that may be a bit of a stretch, I would love to see it read in every church/faith community to both children and adults alike. I believe that the message of God's Diner is one of hope and kindness, compassion and inclusion and is at the very heart of what it means to live out of our faith.  

I've read it in churches on World Communion Day which is a wonderful use of the book as well.

What is feeding your soul these days?

Being around other women who are also always learning and coming to the table to enjoy rich conversation and connection

Creation Care is a passion for Rebecca so she hopes to write a book about that, but her next book may be a sequel to God's Diner. Perhaps its setting will be a food truck! 

Keep up with Rebecca's work here: https://rebeccalile.com/books/

Picture Book: God’s Diner

Author: Rebecca Lile

Illustrator: Patrick Brooks

Summary: All sorts of animals come into God's Diner. Many are not so sure they will be welcomed, but all are, even the skeptical. Animal characters differ in dress, income, color, language, & temperament. Symbols among the animals offer more content for conversation. Encourage your audience to look for them and consider their meanings. 

Hanna’s Comments: Rebecca said that the important image of an open table (emphasized in some church’s communion rituals) was a strong inspiration for her writing in God’s Diner. Take special note of the character Pug, who comes into the diner growling and scowling. His very skeptical "Grouch Face" might be a face your audience recognizes in or outside of your churches! Have them consider some reasons why Pug might be so different from the other characters who are laughing and smiling. Why is he is certain he won't be served? Pug is greeted this way:

I see through your meanness and somewhere deep down

I know there is goodness, instead of a frown. 

In response, Pug's face changes, he is hugged by many and invited to pull up a chair. The last words in the story declare the heart of the gospel! 

If you are hungry, remember God's place.

The food is outstanding, there's always a space.

Original Publisher: Warren Publishing, 2018 

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Matthew 25: 35 was her scripture inspiration. It’s found on the last page.

I was hungry and you gave me food.

I was thirsty and you gave me drink.

I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 

Additionally, any scripture about hospitality such as the stories of Jesus welcoming strangers (Zacchaeus), children, and challenging women (the Syrophoenician woman & the woman at the well). AND any scripture about being beloved children of God such as 1 John 3:1.

PBT Applications:  You’ll find many resources designed for further exploration of the ideas in God’s Diner here at the shop on her website, including complete downloadable lessons, games, and coloring pages. 

A Thanksgiving Grab & Go

As Thanksgiving season approaches, I'll be featuring some of my favorite picture books that emphasize gratitude. Here at PBT, a Grab & Go Book is one that has such rich content it requires little prep before using it in a group lesson. Today's  book describes the 20-year Thanksgiving tradition of a family in New York State in which over 200 friends and family are invited to celebrate in the woods.  

Picture Book: Thanksgiving in the Woods

Author: Phyllis Alsdurf

Illustrator: Jenny Lovlie
Summary: From the point of view of a young boy, this story builds with emotion as he prepares for the Thanksgiving tradition his grandparents have established.

His parents are excited too. Everyone gathers their outdoor clothes, some musical instruments, and treasures that make the season's rituals all the more pleasing. They drive a long way and finally meet up with Grandpa. The grandson climbs into the cab, and they're on their way to set-up for the feast and fun. 

They arrive at a clearing where cousins, aunts, and uncles are already busy preparing for the crowd to come. Bales of straw and wooden planks for makeshift tables are unloaded. A bonfire is prepared for lighting. 

The family gathers for a quick breakfast the next morning, anxious to get to the woods. 

Upon arrival, the kids start scrambling for kindling. Everyone needs to help with the preparations. A tractor arrives with a stately pair of grandparents in tow along with some other guests and pots loaded with foods for the feast. Hundreds of folks begin arriving with more food and a spirit of gratitude and anticipation. 

When the time is just right, all gather and sing the song Simple Gifts. Plates are piled high. The children have built a special fort for their own smaller Thanksgiving in the woods. 

The festivities end with a huge circle of singing around a warm bonfire. The young narrator joins in with his recorder. Marshmallows are roasted amid the glow of the smoky fire. Yum! The days' experiences linger as the evening comes to a close. Folks pack their gear and head to nearby cars or homes. 

The boy and his immediate family make their way back to his grandparents' house, full of good food and marvelous memories.  From behind he hears a few voices around the fire still.

'Tis the gift to be simple.
'Tis the gift to be free.
'Tis the gift to come down 
where you ought to be. 

It's a perfect ending to a woodsy Thanksgiving tradition.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a secular view of an annual holiday that is grounded in faith for so many. It's a celebration of community, hospitality, and joyful feasting which are all important rituals and sacred practices in most faith communities. The song that is sung is an old Shaker hymn. The score for "Simple Gifts" is included in the back. Consider singing it together as a part of your program. 

Original Publisher & Date: Sparkhouse Family, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: I will give to The Lord the thanks due for The Lord’s righteousness… (Psalm 7:17); Give thanks to The Lord for The Lord is good… (Psalm 107:1); They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42); Let us consider how to stir up one another in love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… (Hebrews 10: 24); Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as a Thanksgiving treat for your faith family.