More Books for Lent & Easter

Today I’m adding to last Friday's post with lists of PBT books I've featured more recently. Like before, I'll give you hyperlinks via the book titles. Books for younger children are first in each list. Keep in mind that some books could be in several lists. 

Remember these books may not directly relate to the themes I've listed. Instead, many books are starting points. Your job will be to steer your audience to the themes you most want to explore. For more explanation of these particular liturgical events, read my previous post.

Ash Wednesday and Lent in General

On this day, we remember Jesus' time in the wilderness being tempted by evil. Lent in general is a time of being inspired by Jesus' devotion and humility. Prayer and repentance are other important themes. These books will help you talk about these difficult subjects:

It's Okay to Make Mistakes

Spuds

We Found a Hat

Flossie the Fox

The Want Monsters

With You All the Way

Because I Love You

The Fisherwoman

Wind-Wild Dog

These books could lead to a conversation about refraining from distractions or waiting with hope for Easter:

Owl Moon

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Snow by Usher

These are books about prayer:

You Are With Me
Thank You Prayer
Pray to God (in series listed at end of post)
Give Me Grace
Psalms for Young Children
This is What I Pray Today
The Quiet Book
How Do I Pray for Grandpa?
Now
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
The Day the Crayons Quit
Before Morning

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a celebration of the hope that Jesus brings and abounds with praise that he deserves. In this list are books about both of these concepts:     
About Hope:
God's Dream                                      

The Little Engine That Could
Can I Be Your Dog?
Chocolate's Dream
He's Got the Whole World
Come On Rain!
Come with Me
Jessica's Box
One Day
The Water Princess
A Child's Garden

About Praise:

Psalms for Young Children                         

Sing, Sing a Song
All of Me
Baby Wren and the Great Gift
One Love
For the Beauty of the Earth                   

The Upper Room (Maundy Thursday)

Here we have the first communion ritual (bread, wine, and a call to remember) and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (a call to service).
These books connect with at least one of these themes: 

    How to Heal a Broken Wing
Bear Feels Sick
Miss Maple's Seeds
The Catawampus Cat
Lilla's Sunflowers
Aunt Mary's Rose
I Have An Olive Tree
Knots on a Counting Rope
What Do You Do with a Problem?
The Wall
Sadako
Flowers for Sarajevo
The Tsunami Quilt
An Angel for Solomon Singer

Good Friday

Connect these picture books with the story of Jesus on the cross because they are either about the concepts of sacrifice, forgiveness, death or grief:
The Rainbow Fish

I Will Love You Anyway

Curious George and the Pizza Party

Three Bears in a Boat

Miss Fannie's Hat

Life Without Nico 

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Crazy Horse's Vision

Easter

The pivotal event of the Christian faith is a celebration of joy, beauty, divine power, possibility, and transformation. At least one of these themes are connected to these picture books:                                     

God Gave Us Easter (in series listed at end of post)
All in a Day
Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise
Planting a Rainbow
Love Matters Most
The Stars Will Shine
Alfie
Turtle Spring
God's Great Love for You
A Bus Called Heaven
Bring Me a Rock
The Night Gardener
All You Ever Need
Eight Days: A Story of Haiti    

It's Love! - a Little Late

Sorry I got sick and couldn’t feature these books earlier in February, the month of love. I have 2 new publications that are rich with meaning but very different visually and in tone. Both offer profound ideas about God’s nature and God's greatest gift. I also give you links to other “love-ly” books here at PBT.

Picture Book: Love

Author: Stacy McAnulty

Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Summary: The profound question “What is love?” is the "heart" of this book. Sorry for that very bad pun! Everyday moments, sometimes unexpected, are highlighted. There's lots of fun and diversity in character and deed, but the context is consistent - families and friends loving on each other!  

Loving spiritual practices and loving situations abound such as gifts of hospitality, generosity, and that most precious gift - presence. 

Hanna’s Comments: If your country celebrates St. Valentine's Day, this is a perfect book for that occasion, but it's applicable all year long! I adore the illustrator’s choices here! Check out the cover. Within these pages you have lots of examples of how we communicate love including the American Sign Language sign and other simple signals with our body. I used all these gestures for a preschool lesson about 1 Corinthians 13. This author’s fun book Excellent Ed was featured at PBT [here]. And [here's] another favorite book all about how our bodies (hands this time) show love. 

Original Publisher & Date: Running Press Kids, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: God is love. (1 John 4:8b); The Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13); Let all you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14); Above all these, put on love… (Colossians 3:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of young children, and practice all the ways in these pages love can be communicated with your body. Then create some new ways.  

Picture Book: My Heart

Author & Illustrator: Corinna Luyken

Summary: This author/illustrator urges us to let our hearts be our guides and listen to the loving voice within us. Sounds like The Holy Spirit to me! There’s a lot of abstract metaphorical language, but don’t let that keep you from sharing this with younger audiences. Sometimes they get such messages when we adults are stuck in the concrete.

Hanna’s Comments: You’ll want to play with these metaphors yourself before you read this book to an audience. What does it mean to say “My heart is a slide, a fence, or a stain? 

I used to collect hearts. There's no red in these pages! What Luyken does with that simple design and the colors yellow and black is amazing! Be sure to have your folks find the hidden hearts in these pages. Spend time with each image’s meaning. Does it remind them of a personal experience or a possibility or hope? Can they make up or dramatize a simple story inspired by an illustration? So much potential here! Keep connecting to scripture and you have a fabulous Sunday school or Bible Study experience. [Here's] another book about loving the world, but it's so very different looking. Kids might like experiencing both and then using all the images to compare, contrast, and create. If you're a preacher, this book could serve as rich visual stimuli for a profound sermon on what it means to love. 

Original Publisher & Date: Dial, 2019

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Create in me a clean heart O God… (Psalm 51:10); Keep your heart with all vigilance… (Proverbs 4:23); I will give you a new heart and a new spirit…I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh (Ezekiel 36:26); Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or adults who need some reminders about how to love one another better. This book would also be a beautiful reading for spiritual direction or other bibliotherapy contexts, particularly if someone is struggling with important relationships. For more on that, check out [this post]. 

Boasting and Arrogance

Picture Book: Anton and the Battle

Author & Illustrator: Ole Konnecke

Summary: This book is about 2 boys, Anton and Luke, so the title is puzzling. But it does begin with Anton having a song in his heart. 

Then he meets Luke who has on a different sort of hat. 

Luke begins the boasting with a declaration of strength. 

Anton responds with his own declaration. That's when cleverly, the author/artist portrays the boys' imaginative claims as line drawings 

to demonstrate the ridiculousness of their boasts.

This begins a continual one-upmanship that eventually goes beyond strength to loudness

violence to each other, 

and violence to fierce animals. 

It gets a bit bloody in their heads. 

Despite their declarations of courage, a small puppy frightens both. 

For only a moment, they are in the same position, 

afraid and unsure what to do. 

But old habits die hard. 

As they brag about how much they can eat and drink, the dog wanders away.  

They head for home, but the dog returns. Boasts of speed end the story.

Hanna’s Comments: I was teaching a lesson to some elementary children yesterday at my church. I had set up a situation in which the children were to throw a paper ball into a box after answering a question or telling a story. One of the boys asked how you win. That’s what this book is about, our inclination to compare, boast, and compete. If like me you believe these inclinations are contrary to the scriptures, then this book is a great choice for you. Look below at a sampling of scriptures from across the Bible that address arrogance and boasting. These desires or so in grained in my American culture (I suspect in many others), that a cooperative game seems unusual, even at church. Lord have mercy on us all! Don't assume this is a book just for kids. Adults in your faith family would benefit from a discussion of these issues too, parents especially for the kids are watching and listening for models of godly behavior.  

Original Publisher & Date: Gecko Press, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Besides any scripture about humility, especially Jesus' words, consider...They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. (Psalm 94:4); Let another person praise you, not your own mouth (Proverbs 27:2); …let not the mighty man boast in his might (Jeremiah 9:23); What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7); If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30); Boasting in your arrogance is evil (James 4:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of any age and explore your culture’s inclination to boast, compare, and compete, Then consider how these values contrast with biblical imperatives. 

PBT Series: God Book #9

Most of the books I feature at PBT are secular, but there are many books here that I call “God Books.” These are sacred picture books that aren’t so easy to find in libraries or bookstores. These may be the most valuable treasures I offer for ministry. This PBT series is a collection of re-posts of those God books. Want to see them all? Simply find the Search Word list at the bottom of the web version and click on "God Book." This treasure is both beautiful and full of potential for conversation about intercessory prayer. Consider it a God Book as well as a Grab & Go book (another PBT series) for there are lots of easy possibilities here!

Picture Book: Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer
Author: Tonya Bolden

Illustrator: Eric Valasquez
Summary: One evening in a noisy city, a young boy hurries out of bed because he’s forgotten to say his prayers. As he kneels and prays, he notices a beautiful moon shining in his window. Others in the city are experiencing the rays of the moon, but those people are in distress. Then the author weaves and directs an aspect of the boy’s prayer to each of the other parties. A woman tries to sleep on a park bench; the boy prays for those who are homeless. A businessman reads a news headline about war and is worried for his soldier daughter; the boy prays for war to end. Two adults stare at an empty cupboard; the boy prays for people to have food. This continues as the beautiful moon shines on them all.

Hanna’s Comments: I don’t usually offer what I call “nighttime” books since my primary purpose at PBT is to provide ideas for ministry which usually occurs in daylight hours. I had to make an exception for this book! Help even your youngest listeners understand that the moon is a symbol for God in this story. Then expand on that idea. Be sure to talk about the feelings each scenario evokes. Ask... How might God feel about these situations? What might God be doing in this city to alleviate some of this suffering? Also, talk about this boy’s prayer practices and how they are a comfort to him and hopefully a lifelong practice. Mention that he was not "in trouble" for forgetting to pray early in the story. Invite your children (or adults) to share their experiences with prayer practices. If you get silence, there's your opportunity to instruct on the power of silent prayer. Offer a simple prayer ritual and then build on this instruction in future experiences. Throughout share the importance of intercessory prayer (prayer for others) in your own spiritual journey.

Thought not a PBT God Book, there is another extraordinary book that shares much with the book above. Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper is a secular book about a grandfather who lovingly reassures his grandson "that ol' moon will always shine for you... on and on." Again, the moon is a beautiful metaphor for God, who is always present. The grandson tests this idea and finds it to be true.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams, 2014
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: Love the Lord, your God with all your heart… (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:30); when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears (Psalm 34:17); in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be known to God (Philippians 4:6)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as a nighttime devotional at a church  family retreat or a camp program for children. OR Use this book as a tool to instruct children in the importance and comforting spiritual practice of intercessory prayer. 

PBT Stories #5: Bear Has a Story to Tell

Yesterday I taught my adult Sunday school class. I brought the book featured below from the PBT archives. I chose it because a hibernation period is in the plot. This is a great metaphor to explore as we approach Lent, the liturgical season in which we remember Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.

 

First, I explained that it would be a lesson with no discussion until the end because I wanted the quiet for better reflection. Then I simply asked my friends to hear and see the book while thinking of themselves as Bear. Once my reading was finished, I asked them to get comfortable while I asked various questions for reflection. Many questions flipped the paradigm: Does Bear remind you of a friend who needed to tell a story but you wouldn't listen? How is Bear like God? Where is the Holy Trinity in this story? After about 5 minutes of these questions, something interesting happened.

My friend Elizabeth interrupted and asked for a sheet of paper. I had none. Then she said she needed to see the questions and asked if she could write them on the board. I said of course and invited folks to help us think again of the questions (I did not have them in my notes). The result is photographed at the end of this post. Her interruption made for a better lesson and was a reminder to me that I should always consider different learning styles. My hope for quiet reflection had given me tunnel vision. Thanks to my friend, the lesson was a great success. We could have talked about this great picture book with no hesitation for another half hour.

Picture Book: Bear Has a Story to Tell

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin E. Stead

Summary: This book begins, “It was almost winter, and Bear was getting sleepy.” Bear has a story to tell before he hibernates so he approaches each of his animal friends and asks, “Would you like to hear a story?” 

Each animal is unavailable or busy preparing for winter. Bear helps them with their tasks. Then each animal friend scurries away or to sleep before hearing Bear’s story. Bear hibernates. At the onset of spring, Bear greets each of his friends and asks again if they would like to hear a story. 

At last, they are ready, but Bear can’t remember his story. With his friends encouraging the narrative, Bear begins as this book begins: “It was almost winter, and Bear was getting sleepy.”

Hanna’s Comments: At first reading, my interpretation of this book was that Bear forgets his original story because he no longer needs to tell it. Time and helping others has allowed him turn loose of that story; a kind of healing of his need to be heard has taken place. Instead, Bear tells the story of how he patiently set aside his need to be heard and helped his friends prepare for winter. 

Now I see so many other possibilities for theological or spiritual reflection and connection. This is truly a rich story especially if you're nearing Lent, a liturgical season remembering Jesus 40 days in the wilderness. The hibernation of Bear and his friends is an easy connection. This Author/Illustrator duo has another book here at PBT. It is a treasure as well and was featured [here] at PBT on Day 9.

Original Publisher & Date: Roaring Book Press, 2012 

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

Formats other than Book: Audible  

Scripture Connections:  scriptures about waiting or time apart; Jesus in the wilderness; Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42); scriptures about the importance of telling your story

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a lesson on the spiritual practice of listening or how evangelism should be as much about listening as telling. OR Read this book before Lent to encourage folks to take time away to grow spiritually or heal.

Perfection

Want a simple picture book that is a metaphor for life? Here you go.

Picture Book: Perfect Square 

Author & Illustrator: Michael Hall

Summary: A square begins as perfection 

and very, in fact perfectly, happy. 

But something changes it. Holes are punched. Pieces are cut. The perfect square is no more. 

It makes the best of the changes and becomes a gurgling fountain. 

 Then tearing happens. What next? 

 A garden. 

Then it is shredded into strips of itself 

which is perfect for a park.

Next comes shattering. 

 Bridge building is better. 

 Being snipped into ribbons is different. 

This leads to an unusual river. 

Next comes crumpling, wrinkling, and more ripping. 

The result looks a lot like a mountain.

The square waits.  

It's perspective is changed. It feels too limited by the corners, the 4 equal sides so... 

it becomes a window, 

a window... 

and... 

a fountain that gurgles with joy.

Hanna’s Comments: I love the creativity of this book! Oh to have such talent! If your audience is like me, they might be a little bothered that the words here don't seem quite true. Obviously, the changes are happening to multiple squares. I've represented the author/illustrator's words above, but be sure to ask your audience why Hall might have chosen to keep the story singular while the illustrations show multiple squares being transformed. Each transformations happens on a day of the week so this book can be used with young children to practice saying those words in order. I hope you see the potential here to talk about perfection & imperfection, resurrection, loss and renewal, healing, transformation, vulnerability, and resilience. Hall has another cool book about shapes titled My Heart is Like a Zoo. Every animal in the illustrations is comprised of hearts. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a lesson (or craft) near Valentine’s Day or a lesson focused on God’s heart.  [Here’s] an Amazon link. I’ll likely feature more of Michael Hall’s books later on PBT. His work is so simple but profound!

Original Publisher & Date: Greenwillow, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will the God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2); If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17); If we love one another, God abides in us and God’s love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to any age group and talk about how difficult experiences bring forth healing transformation. Then talk about how faith informs and directs such resilience. Christ's resurrection is an obvious connection. OR Let this book be a part of a lesson on perfection versus imperfection and pride versus humility. Check out Brene Brown’s work for inspiration, particularly her very entertaining TED Talks [here] and [here.] I recommend viewing them in this order. The faith aspects of her work are obvious.