PBT Redux #5 Maddi’s Fridge

It’s time for another re-posting of one of my favorite PBT books published in the last decade or so. I chose this one because it delicately handles the issues of hunger and poverty. Many children during the holiday season are confronted with these issues when they observe faith families giving food and gifts. This book gives you the opportunity to talk about their confusion and consider some meaningful acts of service and generosity during the holiday season.

Picture Book: Maddi’s Fridge

Author: Louise Brandt

Illustrator: Vin Vogel 

Summary: Best friends Sophia and Maddi spend each day together, playing outside, attending school, and hanging out at each other’s home. When Sophia accidentally discovers Maddi’s nearly empty fridge and realizes her friend has no access to milk at home, Sophia becomes very worried. Maddi asks her to keep their situation a secret so Sophia struggles for days, worried about her friend but compelled to keep the secret. Often it is when Sophia is eating at her home, where a bounty of nutritious food is prepared, that she asks her mother questions about food. The burden of her promise to keep Maddi’s secret becomes heavier with each meal. Finally, she tells her mother, and they respond by bringing food to Maddi’s home and talking with Maddi’s mother about how they can help. Sophia is relieved, and their relationship is not damaged. Meanwhile, there is an interesting play ritual between the girls that involves competition, strengths, and weaknesses.

Hanna’s Comments: It’s rare to see a book that is so outwardly inviting be about such a profound and stark subject as hunger. Fortunately, the issue of hunger and the broader issue of poverty are handled in a way that is wonderfully appropriate for children, presenting some of the confusion that many children must feel when confronted with this issue. After the story, there is a call to action section which lists six ways children can respond to hunger as well as information on anti-hunger groups.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Flashlight Press, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

Scripture Connections: If your kin become poor and cannot maintain, you shall support them (Leviticus 25:35); when did we see you a stranger and welcome you… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40); parable of the great feast (Luke 14: 15-24)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when studying the complex issue of hunger or poverty. Be sure to help them understand how your faith community responds to hunger and the broader issue of poverty.

A Response to "But we've always done it this way!"

Picture Book: Shh! We Have a Plan

Author & Illustrator: Chris Haughton

Summary: In very few words but vivid pictures, this clever story begins with four companions creeping in a dark woods. Three have nets. The fourth, much smaller and in the rear, does not. An extraordinary bird is spied. The smaller figure immediately offers a verbal greeting but is quickly shushed by the other three. Their plan, demonstrated time and again as they follow the bird, is to catch it in a net. After a refrain of, “Ready one, ready two, ready three... go!” they always fail comically and miserably. Ultimately the little character breaks from the pack and engages the bird with an outstretched hand of breadcrumbs and a “one, two, three.” More birds gather and are fed. Ironically, the flock of birds turn on the three aggressors with a “Ready one, ready two, ready three.” The human-like characters run away and then spy a squirrel. The three quickly shush the little character and again offer familiar assurance, “We have a plan.” They haven’t yet learned the possibility of a new plan.

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I run across a picture book that resonates on many levels. This is such a book. I recently read in the writings of spiritual author Linda Douty that failure is caused by the refusal to try anything new. That is the central message of this book, especially when new ideas involve compassion and relationship and  when old ideas don’t have compassion and relationship as priorities. This powerful book could stir within a group of children or adults (such as your governing body or small groups) important conversations about evangelism, greeting visitors, integrating new members, worship styles, and even the manner in which you consider your successes (numbers vs. relationships, dollars vs. spiritual depth). I think it’s interesting that all the approaches involve 3 steps. Might this represent a hopeful representation of the trinity or a tendency to wrap up our plans (and sermons) in neat packages of three?

There are other possibilities for application here. The smallest character (Be careful not to assume they are all male.) could easily be a Christ figure, one who offers a new approach toward building the Kingdom of God. The scene in the book with the flock of beautiful birds is particularly potent. Like the Israelites of the Hebrew Scriptures, the disciples of the New Testament, and us, we are slow to break bad habits and old paradigms. Old ways and assumptions are hard to leave behind.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Award Winner, Fresh off the Press  

Scripture Connections: Any scripture where a new idea is being offered or resisted or a negative pattern of behavior is being criticized such as... Behold, I am doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19); woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (Matthew 23:13); those who are in Christ are new creations. The old has passed away, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of ministers or leaders who need some lighthearted conversation about the battles they must wage when up against the refrain, “But we’ve always done it this way!”

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 359

Picture Book: Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen 

Author & Illustrator: DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan 

Summary: On those days when his mother works, a young nephew is always pleased to be picked up from school by his Uncle Willie who works at a soup kitchen. The young boy has lots of questions about the soup kitchen so on a day off from school, the two go to the soup kitchen together. Uncle Willie introduces his nephew to the soup kitchen volunteers including the cat Underfoot. The young boy helps prepare the fruit salad. He is amazed by the size of the appliances and how much it is like his school cafeteria. He learns that, “in the soup kitchen you only have to be hungry,” and “there’s always a little bit more.” Uncle Willie explains the difference between being homeless and hungry. The boy gets more comfortable with the strangers, even the Can Man, who he has seen around town collecting cans. He begins to understand the joy his uncle feels when so many hungry people are fed.   

Hanna’s Comments: Children can become quite comfortable as a part of a team serving those in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Much of their initial anxiety can be prevented through anticipating and answering their questions. This book is a great resource for such a conversation. Arm your children with information and they will be more ready to engage and help. Also, give them your faith-based reasons for serving. Because of the age of this book, I suggest you look on the internet for some up-dated statistics and names of soup kitchens in your city to replace the information found in the section titled About Soup Kitchens which is at the beginning of the book.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Morrow Junior Books, 1991

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre @K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: action, aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, blessings, bonds/connections, brokenness, caring/tending, community, dependence/interdependence, diversity, family, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, goodness, helping, heroes, hospitality, image of God, joy, kindness, labor/work, leadership/servant leadership, manna, mentors/teachers, neighborhood, partners/teamwork, passion, poverty, servant/service/serving, sharing, social justice, at table

Scripture Connections: Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17); …they all ate and were satisfied (Matthew 14:20); just as you did it to the least of these in my family you did it to me (Matthew 25); give to the needy (Luke 12:33); by working hard in this way we must help the weak (Acts 20:35)  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to your family or a group of children before taking them to a soup kitchen so that they may understand better the plight of the poor and the response the Lord encourages in us. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 325

Picture Book: The Cats in Krasinski Square

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Summary: The cats of the title are the abandoned cats left after the Jews are placed in Warsaw, Poland’s ghetto during Nazi occupation. The young female narrator, who enjoys petting the cats, struggles to survive on the free side of the wall. She and her sister have managed to escape the ghetto. With other rebels, they get food to their starving friends behind the walls. Because she watches the cats, the narrator knows the openings in the wall where food can be passed. News comes that Resistance Fighters are arriving on trains with smuggled food stashed in their bags for those behind the wall. But The Gestapo knows of the plan and will be waiting with dogs to sniff out the food. The narrator has a clever counter move. They lure into baskets as many cats as possible, take the closed baskets to the train station, and spread out. Once the train arrives, The Gestapo releases their dogs. Before the dogs can find the hidden food, they are distracted by the many cats that have been let loose. Chaos ensues and those with hidden food are able to flee and quickly pass their food through or over the ghetto walls.

Hanna’s Comments: I like the way this story is written so that a very dark and scary situation is told in a light manner that even young children can handle and enjoy. The suffering Jews behind the wall are only seen from afar. The illustrations are beautiful and help the subject seem less intense than reality. The political and religious issues are not in the narrative so you can avoid those difficult topics if you prefer or expand on them if that suits your purposes and is age appropriate. In the end papers, you’ll find an Author’s Note and a Historical Note.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2004 

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2^nd and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Post 2k

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, adaptation/assimilation, animals, bonds/connections, bravery/courage, caring/tending, challenges, chaos/disorder, commitment, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, cruelty, danger, dependence/interdependence, enemies, Europe, evil, exile/separation/walls, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, helping, heroes, injustice, leadership/servant leadership, mission, obstacles, outreach, partners/teamwork, poverty, power, prisons/prisoners, rebellion, risking, secrets, social justice, surprise

Scripture Connections: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6); a righteous person knows the rights of the poor (Proverbs 29:7); let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24); …do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8); as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary students who are about to engage in an outreach project involving feeding the poor or to supplement a lesson on the social justice issue of access to healthy food.   

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 298

Picture Book: Last Stop on Market Street

Author: Mark De La Pena

Illustrator: Christian Robinson 

Summary: Little CJ and his grandmother ride the bus across the city every Sunday after church. CJ begins to notice how others are different from him so he asks questions of his Nana, questions that she answers with an affirming tone that encourages him to notice and interact with the abundant life that surrounds him. CJ is open to these new experiences. When they get off the bus, CJ asks why it is always so dirty in the neighborhood. Nana wisely answers, “Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt, CJ, you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful.” When they arrive at their destination, a place where a communal meal is being served to the poor, CJ sees the faces of familiar friends and proclaims that he is glad they came. Nana agrees and begins serving the meal with CJ beside her.

Hanna’s Comments: If quickly read, this picture book offers a nice story about diversity and abundance. However, there is much more here. Have your questions ready to ask the children either during or after you’ve read the story. You may want to prompt them with a few questions before reading.  Talk about how they can be more aware of differences across communities, particularly when traveling. Delve into issues of poverty, income segregation, gated communities, hospitality, jealousy, judgment, and/or engagement with those who are different. In our church we are working towards developing deeper relationships across differences. This requires time, effort, and sometimes vulnerability and risk. Use this book well, and I believe it will bless your community. Also, this book was recently highlighted on NPR. Here’s the link: http://www.npr.org/2015/02/06/383856887/on-board-a-city-bus-a-little-boy-finds-the-route-to-gratitude

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, video, audio download

PBT Category: Award Winner (Newbery Award & Caldecott Honor)

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, acceptance, attentiveness/observation/seeing, blessings, body of Christ, choir/music/singing/songs, community, coveting/envy/jealousy, differences, diversity, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, grandparents, gratitude/thanksgiving, humanity, integration, jealousy, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, kindness, listening, openness, outreach, poverty, presence, questioning/questions, sharing, at table, travel, variety, wisdom, witness

Scripture Connections:  All these blessings shall come upon you if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city. (Deuteronomy 28: 2-3); I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about the importance of sharing in diverse community, including sharing experiences such as meals, music, stories, worship experiences, and even sharing the bus or other transportation. OR Read this book to a group of youth or adults who are about to embark on a mission activity with those who are different. Encourage them to notice and be open to the abundance of life and the blessings of the relationships and experiences to come. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 247

Picture Book: Maddi’s Fridge
Author: Louise Brandt
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Summary: Best friends Sophia and Maddi spend each day together, playing outside, attending school, and hanging out at each other’s home. When Sophia accidentally discovers Maddi’s nearly empty fridge and realizes her friend has no access to milk at home, Sophia becomes very worried. Maddi asks her to keep their situation a secret so Sophia struggles for days, worried about her friend but compelled to keep the secret. Often it is when Sophia is eating at her home, where a bounty of nutritious food is prepared, that she asks her mother questions about food. The burden of her promise to keep Maddi’s secret becomes heavier with each meal. Finally, she tells her mother, and they respond by bringing food to Maddi’s home and talking with Maddi’s mother about how they can help. Sophia is relieved, and their relationship is not damaged. Meanwhile, there is an interesting play ritual between the girls that involves competition, strengths, and weaknesses.
Hanna’s Comments: It’s rare to see a book that is so outwardly inviting be about such a profound and stark subject as hunger. Fortunately, the issue of hunger and the broader issue of poverty are handled in a way that is wonderfully appropriate for children, presenting some of the confusion that many children must feel when confronted with this issue. After the story, there is a call to action section which lists six ways children can respond to hunger as well as information on anti-hunger groups.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Flashlight Press, 2014
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
# of Pages: 32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Tablet
PBT Category: Fresh off the Press
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anxiety/worry, betrayal, blessings, body of Christ, bonds/connections, caring/tending, choices/decisions, companionship, competition, consumerism/consumption/riches, covenant/promises/vows, dependence/interdependence, differences, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, friends/friendship, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, mothers, play, poverty, risking, sharing, at table
Scripture Connections: If your kin become poor and cannot maintain, you shall support them (Leviticus 25:35); when did we see you a stranger and welcome you… Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-40); parable of the great feast (Luke 14: 15-24)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when studying the complex issue of hunger or poverty. Be sure to help them understand how your faith community responds to hunger and the broader issue of poverty.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 165

Picture Book: Gifts from the Enemy

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Craig Orback

Summary: Based on Alter Wiener’s memoir of his Holocaust experience, this is a beautiful but heartbreaking story of methodical cruelty and unexpected kindness. During one of Wiener’s stints in the 5 prison camps he was forced to endure, a complete stranger, a German worker, repeatedly and secretly left food for him. He believes it saved him, for it gave him the energy and hope to survive. It also caused him to question his own prejudices. If a German could be so kind, then how could he believe all Germans were his enemy? The story ends with him stating as his most important lesson: “There are the kind and the cruel in every group of people. How those you meet in life treat you is far more important than who they are.”

Hanna’s Comments: The subject here is harsh, but the story is powerful and important. It encourages listeners to question how they might act is similar circumstances as both victim and enemy. The Holocaust was a time in which too many Christians did nothing to save the many being killed and victimized. One way we can prevent a repetition of this kind of systematic negligence is to openly talk about this difficult history and our obligations as humans and as lovers of God. The back of the book includes an afterward from Alter Wiener, a bit about the Holocaust and WWII, a vocabulary list, questions for discussion, and a list of recommended activities for readers.

Publisher & Date of Publication: White Cloud Press, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2^nd and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, blessings, bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, choices/decisions, commitment, cruelty, danger, death/loss/grief, dependence/interdependence, disobedience/obedience, encouragement, enemies, ethics, Europe, evil, exile/separation/walls, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, found, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, goodness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, hatred, helping, heroes, kindness, mystery, prisons/prisoners, rebellion, reassurance, religious differences, risking, Sabbath, sacrifice, savior/saving, secrets, servant hood/service/serving, sharing, survival, treasure, victims

Scripture Connections: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:4); woe to those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20); when you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a program for older elementary, tweens, or teens that focuses on difficult choices, random acts of kindness, or opposing evil. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 155

Picture Book: In God’s Hands

Authors: Lawrence Kushner & Gary Schmidt

Illustrator: Matthew J. Beck

Summary: Jacob and David live very different lives in the same small town, but both men think little of miracles. Jacob, a successful baker, sleeps during most of his synagogue's worship services. David, a janitor in the synagogue, urgently prays to God to help him feed his large family. While sleepy during the reading of the Torah, Jacob hears the words of Leviticus compel him to bake 12 loaves of bread and present them to God. Believing this to be the voice of God, Jacob complies, brings 12 loaves to the synagogue, and places them in the Holy Ark. Soon after, David in his desperation finds the bread and takes it home to his family. This pattern repeats itself for months until the Rabbi realizes what’s happening. The Rabbi calls in both men who have come to believe in miracles and explains to them that in this case, the miracle is the way in which God’s hands have become their hands. They are doing God’s work and it must continue.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a thought-provoking traditional Jewish tale that weaves together the struggles of two men and God’s call to all of us to be the working (and receiving) hands of God. There is a lot to consider here such as issues of trust, prayer, worship, discernment, devotion, and human relationships. According to a list in the back, this book, along with several others, is multicultural, nondenominational, and nonsectarian and is endorsed by Protestant, Catholic and Jewish religious leaders. 

There is another picture book based on this traditional Jewish tale that has a young boy at the center of the story. It is Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Dusan Petricic.    

Publisher & Date of Publication: Jewish Lights, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Traditional Tale, God Book

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, anxiety/worry, Bible/scripture, blessings, bonds/connections, brokenness, call/calling/vocation, choices/decisions, commitment, dependence/interdependence, differences, disobedience/obedience, faith/faithfulness, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, found, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s will, holiness, hope, humility, insecurity, labor/work, legends/myths, manna, miracles, mystery, outreach, parables/stories, place of worship/the Temple, pleasing God/the Shema, poverty, power, response to God, sacrifice, safe place/sanctuary, savior/saving, secrets, servant hood/service/serving, word of God

Scripture Connections: Trust in the Lord, do good…befriend faithfulness (Psalm 37:3-4); When you do it to the least of these, you do it to me (Matthew 25); Be doers of the word, not merely hearers (James 1:22)

Idea(s) for Application: This book offers an opportunity to discuss with adults the extent to which their eyes are open to the ordinary, everyday miracles we facilitate and encourage as we do faithful, God-ordained works.