PBT Grab & Go #16 - Extra Yarn

Here’s another gem in the PBT series I call Grab & Go in which I feature again secular books that are extremely easy to use in sacred settings. I don’t recommend this, but you could literally grab one of these books and go to your audience. The rich sacred connections will easily rise to the surface. Your job is simply to encourage your listeners as they find a godly character, spiritual practice, holy idea, or scripture connection. The book below is a favorite! In fact, I sell a lesson for elementary-aged kiddos connecting this book to the story in Acts of Dorcas/Tabitha’s resurrection. Contact me (see left column) if you’re interested in purchasing for just $4!

Picture Book: Extra Yarn

Author: Mac Barnett

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: In a colorless world, Annabelle finds a box filled with multi-colored yarn and begins knitting for herself and others. Miraculously, the yarn never runs out. As Annabelle faces criticism for her knitted pieces, she knits for the one who is criticizing and all are converted to the beauty and transformational nature of her work. When a rich archduke wants to purchase the extraordinary yarn and Annabelle refuses, he steals the box. Once in his castle, he opens the box to find it empty. Angrily he throws the box out into the ocean where it floats back to Annabelle so that she can continue her knitting.

Hanna’s Comments: This metaphor of how a young girl’s loving creativity can transform a community is beautifully intriguing. I especially like the way the illustrator shows yarn attaching a character to another character, demonstrating the loving bonds Annabelle is creating with her generosity.

Original Publisher & Date: Balzer + Bray, 2012

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

Available in Spanish? Yes

Scripture Connections: Jesus’ healing power, Tabitha’s good works (Acts 9:36-42), Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12); Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Idea(s) for Application: This book offers a beautiful metaphor for spreading love with your giftedness. Use it with a lesson on the transformational & healing power of generosity and good works. Tie it to the work of knitting or sewing ministries.

Avoiding Mean Words with Lemons

Picture Book: Never Say a Mean Word Again:                                                A Tale from Medieval Spain

Author: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrator: Durga Yael Bernhard

Summary: This delightful story is about conflict resolution. Two boys live in a castle community. Their social status are different which leads to important dynamics in their relationship.

Samuel is the son of the vizier, a revered advisor to the king. He dresses in fine clothes.

Hamza is the son of a tax collector. He has less status and resents the rich boy. 

Despite innocent intentions, Samuel physically insults Hamza twice in one day. 

Samuel apologizes, but their different social status leads Hamza to believe the insults were intentional. Hamza verbally and publicly insults Samuel. 

The vizier compels his son to take care of the matter and make sure “Hamza never says a mean word to you again.” 

Samuel has a few silly ideas that involve physically preventing Hamza from speaking. 

However, in a series of daily interactions, Samuel’s punishing intentions are misinterpreted and Hamza believes Samuel wants to play. The first day Samuel shows up with a lemon to force feed Hamza. 

Instead, Hamza thinks it is an apologetic laundry remedy and suggests they play ball with the lemon. They do and have great fun.

Their play continues for days, and the boys become close friends. The vizier is pleased because Samuel made sure Hamza never said a mean word to him again.

Hanna’s Comments: I like this story, but I offer a warning. It is easy to confuse the 2 boys. I recommend distinguishing them before you begin reading so their differences are understood at the start of the story. 

Differences include status, dress, economics, & religion - Samuel is Jewish. Hamza is Muslim. This is not in the text but mentioned in the book jacket. There is a detailed Author’s Note in the back that gives you historical context and will help with your discussion. The message here is the benefit of time together to build relationships. 

Differences in politics, religious doctrine, and culture too often divide us. Too often assumptions are made that are unfounded and lessons we can learn from each other are lost or misconstrued.

I believe talking to children about ways to question assumptions, overcome resentment, and bridge divides will make for more functional communities now and in the future. Our world (and our faith communities) desperately need this.

Original Publisher & Date: World Wisdom Inc, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The jealous relationship between Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37 offers some biblical grounding to this story. AND Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It doesn’t insist on its way; it’s not irritable or resentful (1 Corinthians 13: 4b, 5); Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32); For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder (James 3:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or youth in your faith family in a lesson on jealousy, kindness, friendship, or forgiveness. Consider making a game of throwing lemons and then making lemonade together. Explain the saying “making lemonade from lemons.”

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 317

Picture Book: The Sneetches and Other Stories

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: The Star-Belly Sneetches brag about their stars and look down upon the Plain–Belly Sneetches, excluding them from games, parties, and feasts. Then Sylvester McMonkey McBean shows up with a contraption to put stars on the bellies of the Plain-Belly Sneetches for a low price of course. All pay the price and enter the machine. The Star-Bellied Sneetches react with concern that they may not know who has the natural star-bellies. Just in time McBean convinces them that “Belly stars are no longer in style,” and offers, for a price of course, to remove their stars. This pattern repeats until none of the Sneetches are quite sure how they started and all their money is spent. McBean departs with a laugh, “They never will learn.” However, the Sneetches do learn. They decide that “Sneetches are Sneetches. And no kind of Sneetch is the best.”

Hanna’s Comments: I didn’t dare try to summarize a Seuss book with clever rhyme although I was tempted. Many folks the world over would agree that Seuss was a genius of whimsical verse and manufactured words. Today is the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Geisel, one of my heroes, so I’ll be offering his books all week. This story has much to offer children and adults in faith communities because it humorously offers some of our most frustrating human qualities: our tendency toward acquiring status, creating cliques, and jealousy. McBean, like so many humans, is ready to take advantage of our faults. He gets rich off the Sneetches, but the Sneetches do learn in the end. If only it was that easy for us humans.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1961

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

# of Pages: 25

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, There is a video of this story on Youtube.com and in the video collection Green Eggs and Ham and Other Stories (also includes The Zax and Too Many Daves). Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aspirations/dreams, beauty, belonging, change, competition, conformity, consumerism/consumption/riches, coveting/envy/jealousy, differences, exclusion/inclusion, humanity, identity/names, judgment/judges/judging, prejudice, pride, race relations/racism, religious differences, segregation, social justice, suspicion

Scripture Connections: You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s (Exodus 20:17); judge not, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37); do not judge by appearances (John 7:24); so where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder (James 3:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this picture book or its video format in a program for adults or children that tackles issues such as status, exclusivity, division, or marginalization in response to our Holy Scriptures which direct us to refrain from judging others. Also, for adult or youth programming, consider checking out The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss by James W. Kemp.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 299

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: A Blessing from Above

Author: Patti Henderson

Illustrator: Liz Edge 

Summary: This is a story of an adult female kangaroo who has an empty pouch. She prays every night for a baby to love. Everywhere she sees mothers and children enjoying one another. While resting under a willow tree, she spies a nest filled with bluebird eggs. She watches the eggs hatch, getting more crowded by each hatching. When the last and smallest bird hatches, it is accidentally knocked out of the nest and falls straight into the kangaroo’s pouch! The little bird calls the kangaroo “Mommy.” The mother bird realizes her nest is too small and is happy to see her baby bird in a warm, cuddly pouch. Momma-Roo is elated! Kangaroo and baby bird begin sharing the kinds of experiences the kangaroo was earlier seeing from a distance. Each night they thank God for all their blessings, especially each other. On the title page, you’ll find this scripture: Children are a gift from God; they are His reward. Psalm 127:3. There is another scripture reference at the end: In love He destined us for adoption to himself. Ephesians 1:5.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the first book in a PBT Dynamic Duo of Little Golden Books. In the children’s section of an independent book store, I recently found a carousel of Little Golden Books. I had read the newly published Everything I Needed to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow so I was determined to find a book suitable for my PBT blog. That was easy! The first book I picked up is featured here. I had hoped that I could somehow find a listing of all of the secular Little Golden Books that had a scripture reference inside as this one does, but alas that did not happen. I also found a beautiful book that has a contemplative prayer orientation, Wonders of Nature. I was struck by the number of sacred Little Golden Books there are. I knew two sacred books in the carousel Prayers for Children and My Little Golden Book about God. There were several others in this carousel alone such as Bible Heroes and Miracles of Jesus. I did find two internet sources that may help you search through the hundreds of titles of Little Golden Books for ones you might use in ministry. In general, Little Golden Books are appropriate for attentive toddlers (Yes, they do exist!), preschoolers, and early elementary students.

Here’s a link to the publisher: http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/little-golden-books/

Here’s another place to purchase them with a good search engine: http://goldenbookguy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_22&products_id=98

Also, here’s a link to a fun history of Little Golden Books:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/28840/childrens-books-children-history-little-golden-books

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1999

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

# of Pages: 24

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: adoption, affection, aspirations/dreams, babies/children, belonging, blessings, caring/tending, comfort, companionship, coveting/envy/jealousy, dependence/interdependence, family, found, God’s care/providence, gratitude/thanksgiving, joy, loneliness, love, manna, mothers, nurturing, parents/parental love, safe place/sanctuary, surprise, treasure, wishes

Scripture Connections: The stories of Sarah (in Genesis 17 & 21) and/or Hannah (in 1 Samuel 1 & 2); Children are a gift from God; they are God’s reward. (Psalm 127:3); In love God destined us for adoption to Himself (Ephesians 1:5)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith community when learning about the stories of Sarah or Hannah in the Hebrew Scriptures. 

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 192

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Koala Lou            

Author: Mem Fox

Illustrator: Pamela Lofts

Summary: Koala Lou is wonderfully loved by her community of Australian animal friends and especially by her mother who many times a day will say, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” However, other koala babies have come, and Koala Lou’s mother has less time for declaring her love. Koala Lou begins to doubt this love so she prepares to enter and win the Bush Olympics so that her mother will again declare, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” Koala Lou trains with passion, but she comes in second in her event. Disappointed, she goes away to cry. After dark, Koala Lou returns home and is enthusiastically greeted by her mother who says, “Koala Lou, I DO love you! I always have, and I always will.” Then she hugs her for a really long time.   

Hanna’s Comments: Like yesterday’s PBT Dynamic Duo offering, this book is all about the unconditional love of parents. However, these 2 books are quite different. Here you have a determined oldest child who misses the attention of her mother so she works hard to achieve success. She learns that her mother’s love is already present and not reliant on her success. This would be a good book to read to children if you have a need to explain the grace vs. works issue in Christianity or the ever-present love and mercy of God in the Old Testament.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Gulliver Books, 1988

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are some videos on Youtube.com including one of Wally Amos, Famous Amos cookie entrepreneur, reading this book on stage.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: coveting/envy/jealousy, disappointment, family, God’s nature, grace, image of God, labor/work, loss of faith, love, mothers, parents/parental love, pleasing God/the Shema, relationships, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, siblings

Scripture Connections: Can a woman forget her child? Yet, I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15); By grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when presenting a lesson to children on how God’s love is not conditional and does not have to be earned. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 186

Picture Book: Spoon

Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrator: Scott Magoon

Summary: Spoon is, as you might have guessed, a utensil, with a wonderfully rounded shape, perfect for certain kinds of eating. However, Spoon is jealous of the unique things that Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks can do. Meanwhile, the other utensils are sure that Spoon’s life is lucky. Spoon’s mother helps him appreciate his unique life. The book ends with the entire family snuggling in bed together as they, you guessed it, spoon each other.

Hanna’s Comments: This clever book will tickle the children in your faith community. Be sure your audience gets all the puns. You might need to explain them. Then engage them in a conversation about jealousy and coveting. Encourage them to be real while helping them view their own unique and blessed lives. Share your own struggles with jealousy. We all battle that green monster sometimes!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Hyperion Books, 2009

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: audio, There is a video version in the collection: Spoon and More Stories about Friendship.

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, affection, affirmation, authenticity, body of Christ, call/calling/vocation, coveting/jealousy, difference, diversity, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, gifts/talents, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, individuality/uniqueness, labor/work, the Law/rules/10 commandments, mothers, parents/parental love, perspective, purpose, reassurance, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, sin, (at) table

Scripture Connections: Do not covet (Exodus 20:17); present your bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1); there are varieties of gifts (1 Corinthians 12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson for children on the 10 Commandments or more specifically, jealousy and coveting. Be sure to talk about how jealousy can squelch thanksgiving and joy. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 170

Picture Book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrator: Ray Cruz

Summary: Waking up with gum in his hair is the first of a series of bad things that happens to Alexander. He quickly declares it a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” As the unfortunate events pile on, he pronounces several times that he intends to move to Australia. When he complains to his family, no one even comments, but at the end of the day as his mom is saying good night, he says again what kind of day he is having. She tells him that “some days are just like that. Even in Australia (sic).”

Hanna’s Comments: I thought it would be fun to highlight this book just as the feature film comes out this week. At this time I’ve seen only the previews, but it looks like they have recruited some great actors for this very funny, much-loved children’s story. The writers of the screenplay would have added a great deal of material. Hopefully they have stayed true to the humor and delight of the original. Why do we love this tale so? I believe this is because we’ve all had this kind of day. Reading this story again through my PBT lenses, I thought of the many laments in the Holy Scriptures. It is very human to suffer, and it is very healthy to complain about that suffering and want sympathy and an escape, especially to a place as wonderful as Australia.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1972

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audible, CD, video on Youtube.com, A live-action feature length film is released in the USA this week.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anger, authenticity, brokenness, challenges, communication, confession, consequences/punishment, coveting/envy/jealousy, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, disappointment, emotions/feelings, grace, humanity, humility, injustice, judgment/judges/judging, lamentations, loneliness, mistakes, patience, perseverance, perspective, prayer, victims

Scripture Connections:  A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.  Rachel is weeping for her children (Jeremiah 31:15); for these things I weep (Lamentations 1:16a)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when talking with children about different types of prayers. Point out how Alexander’s complaints are similar in tone to the laments in our Holy Scriptures and perfectly appropriate to bring to God in prayer.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 59

Picture Book: Too Perfect

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Lisa Fields

Summary: To young Maisie’s eyes, Kayla is perfect and therefore happy until Maisie is partnered with Kayla for a school project. Then Maisie sees the perfectionism, judgment, and stress that are a big part of how Kayla views herself and others. The girls’ teacher becomes concerned, and Maisie’s mother perfectly handles with unconditional love the questions Maisie asks about Kayla’s views of herself and others.

Hanna’s Comments: This author has a number of great books about children’s interpersonal & social issues. Be sure to read the afterward about perfectionism written by Thomas S. Greenspon, Ph.D, licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. I chose this book for PBT because too often religious life is only about comparing yourself to a set of standards or laws. Hopefully, this book will encourage children in religious settings to explore in non-threatening ways the topics of perfectionism, religious laws, works vs. faith, God’s grace & mercy, self-acceptance, and unconditional love.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2009                         

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

# of Pages: 32

                                                                                 

Available in Spanish? Not at present                                                          

Formats other than Book: None at present  

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, affirmation, authenticity, challenges, coveting/envy/jealousy, differences, difficulties, dreams/aspirations, emotions/feelings, encouragement, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, freedom, gifts/giftedness/talents, gladness/happiness, God’s nature, goodness, grace, guilt, holiness, the law/rules/10 commandments, mistakes, mothers, nurturing,  parents/parental love, perspective, self-reflection, regret/repentance, righteousness, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, sin, works vs. faith or grace

Scripture Connections: The Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14); There is therefore now no condemnation (Romans 8:1-39); My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9-10); If we say we have no sin (1 John 1:8) 

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book as a part of tween girls’ scripture study groups when dealing with issues of religious law, mercy, and grace.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 42

Picture Book: Extra Yarn

Author: Mac Barnett

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: In a colorless world, Annabelle finds a box filled with multi-colored yarn and begins knitting for herself and others. Miraculously, the yarn never runs out. As Annabelle brushes against criticism for her knitted pieces, she knits for the one who is criticizing and all are converted to the beauty and transformational nature of her work. When a rich archduke wants to purchase the extraordinary yarn and Annabelle refuses, he steals the box. Once in his castle, he opens the box to find it empty. Angrily he throws the box out into the ocean where it floats back to Annabelle so that she can continue her knitting. 

Hanna’s Comments: This metaphor of how a young girl’s loving creativity can transform a community is beautifully intriguing. I especially like the way the illustrator shows a piece of yarn attaching each character to another, demonstrating the loving bonds Annabelle is creating with her generosity. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Balzer + Bray, 2012 

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

# of Pages: 40 

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: several amateur videos are on Youtube

PBT Category: Award Winner (Caldecott Honor), Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, abundance/bounty, abuse/abuse of power, action, beauty, blessings, call/calling/vocation, caring/tending, commitment, community, consumerism/consumption/riches, coveting/envy/jealousy, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, fruit/fruit of the spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, gladness/happiness, gospel/good news, greed/selfishness, healing/healthcare, helping, individuality/uniqueness, joy, kindness, love, manna, miracles, mission, mystery, neighbors, neighborhood, outreach, purpose, sharing, transformation, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Jesus’ healing power, Dorcas’/Tabitha’s good works (Acts 9:36-42), Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) & particularly Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Idea(s) for Application: This book offers a beautiful metaphor for spreading love with your giftedness. Share with a group doing sewing or prayer shawl ministries or use in any lesson on the transformational & healing power of generosity and good works for others.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 41

Picture Book: Sparky

Author: Jenny Offill

Illustrator: Chris Appelhans

Summary: The narrator in this clever book is determined to have a pet. When her mother agrees only to a pet that wouldn’t need to be walked, bathed, or fed, a sloth is ordered by mail. Sparky, the sloth, is not quite what the narrator hoped for especially once she sets up a “Trained Sloth Extravaganza” after a friend criticizes Sparky. Though the training is both hilarious and disappointing, the determination and unconditional love that the narrator has for Sparky is inspiring.

Hanna’s Comments: Throughout this tale, “a promise is a promise” is proclaimed so you'll see Sparky is about a lot more than a girl and her unusual pet. It also touches on issues such as accepting differences, overcoming disappointment, suffering because of jealousy & comparison, and patience in addition to keeping promises.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Schwartz & Wade, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, adoption, animals, authenticity, belonging, challenges, chosen, coveting/envy/jealousy, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, disappointment, laziness/sloth, patience, pets, preparation/preparing, presence, pride, promises/vows, quiet/silence, sin, waiting

Scripture Connections: Be patient & don’t fret over what others have (Psalm 37:7), Don’t compare yourselves with others (2 Corinthians 10:12)

Idea(s) for Application: a perfect book for a minister whose congregation is not growing as fast as hoped