Two Picture Books of Abraham and Sarah: Stories Crucial to Our Faith Heritage

Picture Book: Abraham’s Search for God

Author: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrator: Natascia Ugliano

Summary: Beautifully presented, this is the story of Abram's (later Abraham’s) certainty that there is something greater than the many idols of clay and stone in his culture. Even as a boy, he questions the assumptions and ways of his elders. A lover of the outdoors, Abram spends one evening absorbed by the beauty of the moon, but when the sun replaces it in the skies, he believes the sun to be the ruler of all. Clouds, thunder, a rainbow, and the sun again come and replace the object of Abram’s worship. After each change, Abram believes dominance is being demonstrated. Eventually he realizes that there is something greater and more beautiful than all of these, a great power that is the force behind these changes. That great power is the one true God whose evidence is everywhere. From then on Abram worships the one true God.

Hanna’s Comments: The last line of this book summarizes why this story is so important to all in the Abrahamic tradition: “Today, we remember Abraham as the father of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” Explain further this last line to children who are unaware of the connections between these 3 great religions. If age appropriate, spend some time talking about the conflicts these traditions still have with each other and consider how God might view these struggles. Abraham’s story continues in the other book featured below. Additionally, this author/illustrator duo has at least 2 more books in this series: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet and Miriam in the Desert. 

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Kar-Ben, 2007

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: God Book, Biography 

Scripture Connections: Genesis 12

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to children and explore the importance of Abraham to your faith heritage. Emphasize the worship of the one true God in contrast to the worship of idols of Abraham’s time and today’s idols.  

Picture Book: Sarah Laughs

Author: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrator: Natascia Ugliano

Summary: Beautiful Sarah’s laugh is said to make “the whole world clap hands with joy.” She marries Abraham, who did not pray to idols like others, instead, he prays to the invisible God. When Abraham tells Sarah he hears a voice saying they should move to a new place, she agrees. In Canaan, Abraham tells Sarah that God promised the land to their children. In a dream, God visits Abraham and tells him to count the stars for there will be that many children of their children. When he tells Sarah this, she dances but does not laugh for they have no children and she is old. As their prosperity increases so does Sarah’s sadness. Sarah encourages Abraham to take her servant Hagar as his wife. Hagar has a child, but Sarah is still not happy. When three strangers come, Sarah prepares a fine meal. When they tell of Sarah’s child to come within the year, Sarah declares that she and Abraham are too old. The baby does come despite Sarah’s age. She names him Isaac, meaning laughter and declares, “God has brought me laughter.”

Hanna’s Comments: Abraham’s continuing story is offered beautifully here through the perspective of Sarah. Too often the few stories of women in the Bible are not explored with children. Such perspectives are invaluable to young girls and to young boys. This author and illustrator offer 2 glorious books that easily allow you and your children the privilege of learning about these important spiritual ancestors. Be sure to connect their stories to modern questions and hopes while explaining their crucial importance in your faith heritage.   

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Kar-Ben, 2008

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: God Book, Biography 

Scripture Connections: Genesis 18 and 21

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are studying the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Hebrew Scriptures. Make connections to today’s faith struggles, personal and global.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 362

Picture Book: Me and Dog

Author: Gene Weingarten

Illustrator: Eric Shansby

Summary: Sid is just an ordinary kid with an ordinary dog, Murphy, who loves him, perhaps too much. Sid suspects that Murphy believes him to be the absolute ruler of the world. When things go badly, Murphy thinks it must be his fault. Happy times mean Murphy is being good. Sid declares,” It isn’t true! The world is large. And I’m a kid. I’m not in charge!” The fact that Murphy so often begs is also bothersome to Sid because he knows he gives Murphy everything he needs. Sid wonders if Murphy would be so good if he understood that Sid is not in charge of everything. Would he be more fearful? Less friendly or cheerful? Sid realizes things are pretty right the way they are so he pleads, “Let’s not tell him… ‘cause I love him and he loves me.”

Hanna’s Comments: Besides the thought-provoking questions that this picture book encourages, its clever rhymed verse and illustrations are extraordinary! Eventually guide your audience to think beyond these characters to human relationships with God and approaches to prayer. How do your listeners respond to God when bad things or good things happen? Notice the conclusion is about a loving relationship. Let love be the framework for the big questions and personal examples. Don’t feel as if you must have all the answers. Children are more comfortable with mystery than you may suspect. The points here are to enjoy this story, linger on the privilege of being loved by pets, and ask the big questions such as those about human relationships with God and the purposes of prayer.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon and Schuster, 2014

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press  

PBT Topics this Book connects with: animals, awe, blessings, companionship, consequences/punishment, dependence/interdependence, God’s nature, goodness, grace, guilt, humanity, idolatry, love, manna, perspective, pets, pleasing God/the Shema, prayer, questions/questioning, relationships, righteousness, sin, truth

Scripture Connections: Love the Lord your God… (Deuteronomy 6:5 & Luke 10:27); love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4); let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14);

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when talking about issues of who or what we worship, how we view God in the context of good and bad happenings, or various approaches to prayer.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 345

Picture Book: Those Shoes

Author: Maribeth Boelts

Illustrator: Nah Z. Jones 

Summary: Jeremy longs for “those shoes”, the ones featured on the big billboard, the ones many other boys are wearing. He especially yearns for them when one of his shoes falls apart at school and he is given a pair of kiddie shoes from the guidance counselor’s box. His classmates laugh at him, but not Antonio. When Jeremy and his grandmother go shoe shopping, they discover the price is too steep. They search at local thrift shops and find a pair. They are tight, but Jeremy is thrilled anyway and takes them home, hoping they will stretch. They don’t stretch, and he gets sores on his feet. He has to resort to wearing the kiddie shoes again. Meanwhile, Jeremy and Antonio become friends. Jeremy notices that Antonio has duct tape holding his shoes together. When Antonio visits Jeremy’s house, he sees “those shoes” and asks Jeremy why he doesn’t wear them. Jeremy shrugs. The next morning Jeremy tries on the too tight shoes one more time and then secretly leaves them on Antonio’s stoop. At school, Jeremy has mixed feelings when Antonio shows up with those shoes on until Antonio quietly thanks Jeremy.   

Hanna’s Comments: This story gets to the heart of issues that many children and teens struggle with, consumerism, brand consciousness, and desiring what peers have. Usually, the crux of these matters are coveting, idolatry, and gluttony, all very human and very common problems that are addressed directly in scripture. I believe it’s good to talk with children directly about these issues, but be honest, not preachy. Confess that these issues don’t go away in childhood. In fact, they often get bigger, more expensive, and more damaging. Share honestly with the children in your faith family about how you personally struggle with status items, coveting, or consumerism. Then talk about confession and repentance. Give them hope for an abundant life that doesn’t involve jealousy, obsession, or being manipulated by marketing.  

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2007

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Video

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: acceptance, adaptations/assimilation, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, conformity, consumerism/consumption/riches, coveting/envy/jealousy, friends/friendship, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s will, grandparents, gratitude/thanksgiving, humility, idolatry, possessions, poverty, pride, sin, wisdom  

Scripture Connections: You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s (Exodus 20:17); you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions (James 4:3); little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about the struggles of coveting, idolatry, and consumerism.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 65

Picture Book: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse

Author & Illustrator: Kevin Henkes 

Summary: Lilly especially loves her teacher, but he’s not a big fan of her new purse and its contents which Lilly wants to show everyone, even during lessons.  When her beloved teacher takes Lilly’s purse away until after school, Lilly becomes quite upset, and eventually she gets very angry at him. She writes him a nasty note and puts it in his bag. Meanwhile, he too writes a note and puts it in Lilly’s purse along with some snacks. His note says, “Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.” Feeling terribly guilty, Lilly confesses to her parents, sits in the uncooperative chair for a while, and then writes & illustrates a new note in which she apologizes and compliments him profusely. At school Lilly delivers her note, some snacks, and a verbal apology. They agree to throw away the earlier note, and Lilly enjoys showing off her purse & its contents at Sharing Time.

Hanna’s Comments: Often children really struggle with some of the issues in this story (obsession, materialism, lack of impulse control, pride, and disrespecting authority). Adults too! What better place to explore these issues than in a religious context in which loving teachers can offer the Holy Scriptures as a guide and comfort to children.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Greenwillow Books, 2006                                          

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

# of Pages: 32                                                                                           

Available in Spanish? Yes                                                           

Formats other than Book: Audio cassette, Amateur videos on Youtube.com  

PBT Category:  Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, anger, challenges, change, confession, conformity, consequences/punishment, consumerism/consumption/riches, cooperation, disappointment, disobedience/obedience, education/school, emotions/feelings, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, grace, guilt, hope, idolatry, mentors/teachers, mistakes, possessions, pride, rebellion, regret/repentance, resisting evil, self-control, sin

Scripture Connections: Joseph’s coat (Genesis 37:1-36); the building of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-35)

Idea(s) for Application: Include the reading of this book in a lesson for children on materialism/idolatry or prayers of confession.