Iowa Presentation: Book #5

Below is my initial post about the last of the 5 books I talked about at my presentations in Iowa. It may be a personal favorite because it is so weird and wonderful. I hope you find ways to use it in your ministry among the many suggestions I've given you below. Here's that post:

One of the benefits of PBT is bringing high-quality secular stories to audiences of faith. Encouraging connections between that story and scripture boosts faithful responses for several reasons. Check out my Picture Books in Ministry tab for more about this. There is so much "below the surface" of these secular picture books!

Children's literature is getting better and better! Some stories are so good, you want your audience to explore them thoroughly, like the PBT book I'm featuring today. This new picture book has 2 protagonists so I encourage you to do what I call The PBT Flip-Flop, which involves finding the connections in opposite aspects of the story. I explain more in my comments below. It's so simple to do!

Picture Book: Hattie & Hudson

Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen

Summary: Hattie lives near a beautiful lake. She has an nature exploration ritual every morning.

On this particular morning, Hattie sings a sort of invitation song in her canoe. A huge creature, who usually stays hidden deep within the lake, is lured by Hattie’s lovely song. He decides to breach the surface, something he has not done for a very long time despite being very lonely. 

 

When the creature surfaces, Hattie is intrigued so she keeps singing. 

After looking in the creature’s eyes, Hattie knows there is no reason to fear. The creature even begins to harmonize with her!

However, the others on the lake soon see the creature and are terrified. The creature disappears into the waters. 

Both Hattie & the creature wonder if they'll see each other again. That evening Hattie decides to venture out and see. 

They do meet again. Hattie isn't afraid of the two eyes below the surface

or the creature's head when it emerges. She names her new friend Hudson. 

They play together all night and plan to meet again the next evening. 

The next day a meeting at The Town Hall is all about "getting rid of ...the Deadly Beast." Hattie tries to speak up, but there's no room for her voice. 

When Hattie and Hudson meet again, Hattie explains the adults' plan. Hudson surprises her with a bump of the canoe and a smile, then another bump and smile. Hattie soon understands. 

Next morning as her neighbors prepare, Hattie paddles to the center of the lake and waits for Hudson. 

 Hudson gently overturns Hattie's canoe. 

Then Hattie's acting begins. She makes sure her screams of terror are heard by the neighbors. As expected, they jump in their boats to rescue her. 

 

Just as they get close, Hudson to the rescue! 

The neighbors all watch in amazement as Hudson lifts Hattie above the water. 

Hudson gently swims Hattie to the pier and places her there. 

Next, Hattie holds a meeting of her own. She introduces Hudson, declares him to be safe, and assures everyone that once they get to know him, he will be their friend too. A boy approaches, and eventually others befriend Hudson. 

Once Hudson is fully integrated into the community, people from far away come to meet and play with him, the "famous friendly monster."  

But at night, it is just Hattie and Hudson growing and playing together.

Hanna’s Comments: If you are inclined create or piggyback a tune for Hattie’s song and sing it while reading. A musical friend of mine suggested trying the tune to "Do Your Ears Hang Low." Singing will enhance this story experience. The PBT Flip-Flop method is to read the story and then have 2 very different (even opposite) conversations. With this book, I encourage you to ask your audience the 2 questions below. Ask the second question only after the first has been discussed.

How is God (or Jesus) like Hattie?

How is God (or Jesus) like Hudson?

Another way you can use this book is to encourage connections to the gospel story in which Jesus heals the man born blind who then must defend Jesus to the Pharisees. Simply ask your audience to find any connections between that gospel story and the picture book. The stories don't have to be parallel. They just have to have some connections. Another Bible story to consider is Philip and the Eunuch. Notice the holy ideas that are here such as Hattie's contemplative ritual each morning. There's an aspect of worship in her ritual. Consider Hudson being lured by Hattie's song. That's like previenent grace. There's a lot of holy risk-taking and justice seeking for the stranger in this story. Talk about those! 

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick Press, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world... (Romans 12:2); Scriptures about the nature of God such God being viewed as a shield for all who need refuge (Psalm 18:30) Or the nature of Jesus such as when he heals the man born blind (John 9:1-34) or Philip, Jesus' disciple, welcoming a eunuch into Christianity (Acts 8:26-40); verses about welcoming the stranger such as when Jesus heals the Bent-Over Woman (Luke 13:10-16) or Jesus visiting Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Or scriptures about wisdom or discernment when faced with a problem

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of tweens or older and ask them to find connections via The PBT Flip-Flop method as described above in my comments. 

PBT Techniques #7 - Flip-Flopping

One of the benefits of PBT is bringing high-quality secular stories to audiences of faith. Encouraging connections between that story and scripture boosts faithful responses for several reasons. Check out my Picture Books in Ministry tab for more about this. There is so much below the surface of these secular picture books!

Children's literature is getting better and better! Some stories are so good, you want your audience to explore them thoroughly, like the PBT book I'm featuring today. This new picture book, has so much to offer I encourage you to do what I call The PBT Flip-Flop, which involves finding the connections in opposite aspects of the story. I explain more in my comments below. It's so simple to do!

Picture Book: Hattie & Hudson

Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen

Summary: Hattie lives near a beautiful lake. She has an nature exploration ritual every morning.

On this particular morning, Hattie sings a sort of invitation song in her canoe. A huge creature, who usually stays hidden deep within the lake, is lured by Hattie’s lovely song. He decides to breach the surface, something he has not done for a very long time, despite being lonely. 

 

When the creature surfaces, Hattie is intrigued so she keeps singing. 

After looking in the creature’s eyes, Hattie knows there is no reason to fear. The creature even begins to harmonize with her!

However, the others on the lake soon see the creature and are terrified. The creature disappears into the waters. 

Both Hattie & the creature wonder if they'll see each other again. That evening Hattie decides to venture out and see. 

They do meet again. Hattie isn't afraid of the two eyes below the surface

or the creature's head when it emerges. She names her new friend Hudson. 

They play together all night and plan to meet again the next evening. 

The next day a meeting at The Town Hall is all about "getting rid of ...the Deadly Beast." Hattie tries to speak up, but there's no room for her voice. 

When Hattie and Hudson meet again, Hattie explains the adults' plan. Hudson surprises her with a bump of the canoe and a smile, then another bump and smile. Hattie soon understands. 

Next morning as her neighbors prepare, Hattie paddles to the center of the lake and waits for Hudson. 

 Hudson gently overturns Hattie's canoe. 

Then Hattie's acting begins. She makes sure her screams of terror are heard by the neighbors. As expected, they jump in their boats to rescue her. 

 

Just as they get close, Hudson to the rescue! 

The neighbors all watch in amazement as Hudson lifts Hattie above the water. 

Hudson gently swims Hattie to the pier and places her there. 

Next, Hattie holds a meeting of her own. She introduces Hudson, declares him to be safe, and assures everyone that once they get to know him, he will be their friend too. A boy approaches, and eventually others befriend Hudson. 

Once Hudson is fully integrated into the community, people from far away come to meet and play with him, the "famous friendly monster."  

But at night, it is just Hattie and Hudson growing and playing together.

Hanna’s Comments: If you are inclined create or piggyback a tune for Hattie’s song and sing it while reading. A musical friend of mine suggested trying the tune to "Do Your Ears Hang Low." Singing will enhance this story experience. The PBT Flip-Flop method is to read the story and then have 2 very different (even opposite) conversations. With this book, I encourage you to ask your audience the 2 questions below. Ask the second question only after the first has been discussed.

How is God (or Jesus) like Hattie?

How is God (or Jesus) like Hudson?

Another way you can use this book is to encourage connections to the gospel story in which Jesus heals the man born blind who then must defend Jesus to the Pharisees. Simply ask your audience to find any connections between that gospel story and the picture book. The stories don't have to be parallel. They just have to have some connections. Another Bible story to consider is Philip and the Eunuch. Notice the holy ideas that are here such as Hattie's contemplative ritual each morning. There's an aspect of worship in her ritual. Consider Hudson being lured by Hattie's song. That's like previenent grace. There's a lot of holy risk-taking and justice seeking for the stranger in this story. Talk about those! 

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick Press, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world... (Romans 12:2); Scriptures about the nature of God such God being viewed as a shield for all who need refuge (Psalm 18:30) Or the nature of Jesus such as when he heals the man born blind (John 9:1-34) or Philip, Jesus' disciple, welcoming a eunuch into Christianity (Acts 8:26-40); verses about welcoming the stranger such as when Jesus heals the Bent-Over Woman (Luke 13:10-16) or Jesus visiting Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Or scriptures about wisdom or discernment when faced with a problem

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of tweens or older and ask them to find connections via The PBT Flip-Flop method as described above in my comments. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 346

Picture Book: You Call That Brave?

Author: Lorenz Pauli

Illustrator: Kathrin Scharer

Summary: With nothing to do, a mouse, a frog, a snail, and a sparrow decide to have a courage competition. The title question is what is heard when each animal announces their daring feat. First they are judgmental, but then they begin to understand. Because of their differences, what is easily done by one is brave for another. As each animal is brave and successful, the others are affirming. The sparrow’s choice is more subtle. Her bravery is in facing peer pressure, the expectation that she too should engage in a courageous task. She simply refuses to do anything. It takes a moment, but the other animals catch on and affirm her even in her non-compliance.

Hanna’s Comments: My summary doesn’t do this book justice. It is clever, the illustrations are marvelous (You will definitely laugh!), and kids will love it, adults too! There are many things to talk about here: refraining from impulsive judgement, trying loving empathy instead, being creative in your thinking, not succumbing to peer pressure, and especially being affirming when others are brave.

Original American Publisher & Date of Publication: North-south Books, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present, Originally in German titled Mutig, Mutig

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abilities, affirmation, authenticity, bravery/courage, challenges, competition, conformity, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, difficulties, diversity, encouragement, fear, friends/friendship, judgement/judges/judging, participation, peer pressure, risking, variety 

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified (Joshua 1:9); judge not, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37); do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24)  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or youth when talking about refraining from judging others and instead being empathic while affirming others’ efforts.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 319

Picture Book: The Butter Battle Book

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: Grandfather Yook takes his grandson to the wall that separates the Yooks from the Zooks. He explains the horrible thing that the Zooks do. They eat their bread with the butter side down! Grandfather has been a Zook-watcher for the Border Patrol where he used to be armed with a Snick-Berry Switch. He goes on to explain that one day a very rude Zook, Van Itch, came to the wall and slingshotted his switch. After reporting to the Chief Yookeroo, he was given a fancy suit and a bigger weapon. When he meets Van Itch again, armed and ready, Van Itch runs away, but he soon returns with a weapon that makes Grandfather’s weapon obsolete. The pattern repeats Seusian-style with fantastical weapons and contrived words galore until both the Yook and the Zook are on top of the wall, poised with small but very damaging bombs in their hands. The grandson is watching so that he may be a witness to history. Here’s the ending to this cautionary tale: ”Grandpa! I shouted. Be careful! Oh, gee! Who’s going to drop it? Will you…? Or will he?” “Be patient,” said Grandpa. “We’ll see. We will see….”

Hanna’s Comments: It is likely that Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, wrote this book in response to the escalation of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Although nuclear weaponry is still a major problem, this picture book can serve to encourage conversations about other topics that relate to religious issues such as tolerance, insulation, respect for differences, the culture of war, or peacemaking. Be sure to make connections to real issues your audience understands such as violence in the media or religious intolerance. Also, ask your audience, "Who in the story is benefitting as the potential for violence progresses?" Relate their comments to modern situations of war, oppression, or aggression.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1984

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

# of Pages: 56

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, audio, A video is available on Youtube.com. The Best of Dr. Seuss dvd collection has The Butter Battle Book, Daisy Head Mayzie, & Horton Hatches the Egg. Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anger, anxiety/worry, armor, challenges, competition, conflict, conformity, differences, disputes/fighting/opposition, diversity, exile/separation/walls, fear, grandparents, hatred, heritage, intolerance, judgment/judges/judging, legacies, neighbors, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, power, prejudice, pride, protecting/protection, religious differences, tolerance, violence, war/war veterans

Scripture Connections: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks… (Isaiah 2b-4); love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27); that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of youth who are talking about the culture of war, violence in the media, reconciliation, or peacemaking. 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 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 272

Picture Book: You are Not My Friend, But I Miss You

Author & Illustrator: Daniel Kirk

Summary: This delightful story begins with a sock monkey being very upset because his friend, a plush toy dog, has taken sock monkey’s red ball and won’t share it. He declares, “You are not my friend! Friends are supposed to share.” He sneakily gets the ball back, but he finds that finding a new friend to enjoy his ball is not so easy nor is it fun to play ball by himself. As he begins missing his friend, he remembers that he didn’t share the ball either so he invites the toy dog to play again. As they share the ball, their friendship is revived and all is forgiven.

Hanna’s Comments: For very young children, the issue of sharing toys is crucial. While playing, toys are their world. The ability to take another’s point of view is still very immature, but it is growing so conversations about others' perspectives are important. Encouraging sharing, considering another’s perspective, and forgiving selfishness are all important lessons for all members of faith communities where those values are foundational to their Holy Scriptures.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams Books, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 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: acceptance, anger, conflict, cooperation, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, friends/friendship, golden rule, greed/selfishness, judgment/judges/judging, perspective, play, possessions, self-reflection, regret/repentance, sharing, sin

Scripture Connections: You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15); if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will God forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15); why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not see the log that is in your own eye (Matthew 7:3)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about forgiveness and generosity or to refrain from judging and stealing.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 233

Picture Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance

Author: Giles Andreae

Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees

Summary: Gerald, a giraffe, wants nothing more than to join in the dancing at the annual Jungle Dance, but his knees are crooked and his legs are thin, both of which make his dancing clumsy and awkward. He approaches the dance floor anyway, but he is quickly teased so he slinks off, ashamed. Along the way home, Gerald is encouraged by a cricket who says, “Sometimes when you’re different you just need a different song.” Then he tells him to imagine the moon is playing just for Gerald because everything makes music. Gerald begins to shuffle, sway, and swish. His dancing becomes glorious. Soon the animals from the party arrive and become entranced by Gerald’s moves. They declare Gerald the best dancer ever! When asked to explain his sudden grace, Gerald says that we all can dance when we find music that we love.

Hanna’s Comments: This is such great book about encouraging others and finding your bliss! Many of Gerald’s admirable attributes could be talked about with children in your faith community such as his ability to persevere, be authentic, and listen. The cricket would be a great character to explore in a children’s discussion too. Both of these characters can be connected to characters in the scriptures who acted in similar ways such as Barnabus, Paul’s encourager, and Paul himself, who was an outsider among Christians until he proved himself a valuable preacher of the Gospel.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Orchard Books, 1999

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Video, Audio download/CD

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, action, Africa, aspirations/dreams, authenticity, celebration/party, choir/music/singing/songs, dance/dancing, diversity, doubt, encouragement, exclusion/inclusion, gifts/talents, gladness/happiness, God’s presence, goodness, helping, individuality/uniqueness, joy, judgment/judges/judging, listening, loss of faith, mentors/teachers, moon/space/stars/sun, participation, prejudice, reassurance, response to God, self-discovery, underdogs

Scripture Connections: Then Miriam took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. (Exodus 15:20); You have turned my mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11); let them praise his name with dancing (Psalm 149:3)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to talk with children about different styles of worship and the purposes of worship including to authentically praise God. Or Connect these main characters to Bible characters with similar attributes.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 181

 

Picture Book: The Grudge Keeper

Author: Mara Rockliff

Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler

Summary: In Bonnyripple no one ever kept a grudge because they gave all their grudges (written on bits of paper) to the Grudge Keeper, Cornelius, who tucked them away in his cottage for safekeeping. The grudges piled up, but the system seemed to be working until a severe wind storm came. All were irritated by this inconvenience, new grudges emerged, and together they marched their new grudges up to the Grudge Keeper’s cottage. They were astonished to find their former grudges had been blown into a pile. While arguing over the grudges again, they heard Cornelius moaning from underneath the pile. As they hurried to save him, grudges were read, apologies were made, and the grudges were tossed away. When Cornelius staggered to his feet, he saw that all the grudges were gone. Immediately, another grudge-worthy event occurred, but all was forgiven, even a romance blossomed. No one ever kept a grudge again, not even The Grudge Keeper who had a lot more room in his home for entertaining his now more pleasant friends.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is clever in plot and verbal gymnastics, and it comically demonstrates the way grudges can limit relationships, even if those grudges are kept hidden away. The power of forgiveness is the subtle theme here. The importance of and difficulty achieving forgiveness is a valuable lesson to explore with children and adults. This book is so clever that it would work for both types of audiences.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Peachtree Publisher, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Fresh Off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, brokenness, collections, communication, conflict, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, emotions, feelings, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, friends/friendship, grace, greed/selfishness, humility, intolerance, judgment/judges/judging, mistakes, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, pride, relationships, tolerance

Scripture Connections: Forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 8:21-22); when you pray, forgive if you have anything against anyone (Mark 11:25); the Jesus Prayer (based on Luke 18: 13 & 38); be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32)

Idea(s) for Application: One aspect of forgiveness is humbly realizing that we are all imperfect sinners. Consider reading this book and then teaching The Jesus Prayer to your participants: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This prayer has been ritually recited since the 5^th century.