Ecological Praise

If like me, you're worried about the future of Earth and you see it as a spiritual issue, then this book about the glories of our Earth is a great tool to begin that conversation with your faith family, particularly your youngest children.

Picture Book: I Love Our Earth

Authors: Bill Martin Jr. & Michael Sampson

Photographer: Dan Lipow

Summary: In this beautiful book, photographs of international children accompany text that declares the gorgeous variety of Earth's environs. 

I love the beaming smiles on these kids' faces, 

the variety of spaces, some your children may not have imagined,  

the diverse faces so that all can find a bit of themselves in the pages,  

and the distinctive textures of Earth. 

The phrase, "I love our Earth," repeats several times

as we see reasons for our gratitude in details  

and wide spaces.  

Surprising aspects of Earth that we don't think to be grateful for are here 

along with more expected images.  

The 4 seasons are mentioned, 

but this is a celebration of year-round Earth!

Hanna’s Comments: Ecology has been a common concern for people of faith throughout the ages. For some religions, such as The Jewish Faith, practices are built on reverence and stewardship. But ecological stewardship is a relatively recent topic for Christians, particularly for those in more conservative churches. 

Check out these links to more PBT books about ecology. There's a book here at PBT called Glory that looks at this issue more theologically (and with very different images). Chris Van Allsburg's classic Just a Dream is such a powerful story! Because environmental concern is growing, you'll find many newly published books (secular and sacred) addressing this topic from various angles. This is a great topic for  engaging teens & young adults who are often more engaged in (and worried about) Earth's future. What a pragmatic faith issue! 

Why this book today? I like the simplicity of the text, especially for toddlers and preschoolers who respond strongly to photographs of other children. They can begin developing an ability to see God in nature. This skill is so important in spiritual formation. If you're looking for adult books about ecological stewardship (I've also heard it called Christian Environmentalism and the spiritual practice referred to as "creation care"), I suggest checking out the books of Matthew Sleeth. Here's his website www.blessedearth.org. 

Original Publisher & Date: Charlesbridge, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Any scripture that praises God's creation of or glory in nature or the beauty of Earth such as Nature Psalms (8, 33, 95, 102...) or  creation verses in Genesis. In an interview with biblical scholar Ellen Davis on On Being, my favorite podcast, Genesis 1:26 is discussed. Dr. Davis explains that the verb in the Hebrew language that has traditionally been translated "to have dominion" actually means "to exercise skilled mastery." She describes this idea as a sort of craft or art in which we are privileged to have responsibility for Earth. [Here's] a link to that interview entitled The Poetry of Creatures. This episode is fascinating and inspiring because along with it you get to hear some of Wendell Berry's beautiful poetry!

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of young children and talk about gratitude and seeing God in nature. Offer a simple gratitude prayer that will begin their understanding of ecological stewardship. 

Connections to Christ

Picture Book: Crazy Horse’s Vision

Author: Joseph Bruchac

Illustrator: S. D. Nelson

Summary: This story focuses on Crazy Horse’s devotion to his Lakota tribe, the threat they faced as settlers moved into their lands, and the guiding vision he received as a young man.

In the 1840s near the Wyoming & South Dakota border, Crazy Horse was born a solemn child with curly hair so they named him Curly.

Strong and wiry, Curly was an early leader who listened carefully and told his peers, "Follow me. If we're brave we can help our people." 

At age 11, Curly surprised everyone by taming a wild pinto so his father gave him the horse.

When hunting buffalo at age 13, he swiftly felled a huge buffalo in the middle of the herd with just one arrow. Then he gave the buffalo to all in his camp who had no one to hunt for them. 

During his childhood, the American army built a fort in Lakota land, declaring it would keep the peace. After a warrior killed a destructive cow that had wandered into the Lakota camp from the fort, the Chief offered a mule and 5 horses to compensate. 

The offer was disregarded, instead the Army killed the chief. 

After witnessing this event, Curly left in haste for a vision quest without the expected preparations from the Holy Man. 

Tying his horse's legs to prevent it from wandering, Curly then climbed into a pit. 

There he "prayed for strength to help his people." After three days, no vision had come. He climbed out of the pit and collapsed near his horse. 

His father found him and scolded him for being unprepared and discounting the wisdom of the elders. 

Meanwhile, Curly saw an eagle but held his vision in secret because of the scolding he received. 

Three years later, Curly had become much quieter, more serious, and more generous. When his father asked about his vision quest, Curly described the eagle. 

His father explained that Curly would become "the first to defend your people" and must "keep nothing for yourself." And he gave Curly his own name, a practice of honoring. Curly would be called Crazy Horse and known for his great bravery and loyalty to his people.

The story of Crazy Horse continues in a lengthy Author’s Note in the back. Here you’ll read about some of his other memorable deeds and his martyrdom. 

Hanna’s Comments: Christians observe Good Friday today. Each year, I struggle with what kind of book to feature at PBT on such an important day. Today I chose a story about a man whose life has obvious connections to Jesus. That’s why I told the summary above in the manner I did, highlighting biographical milestones that had some connection to Jesus life. Direct your audience to look broadly for character traits and aspects of power, not story details. In some cases, encourage your audience to find the differences. I don’t equate Crazy Horse to Jesus, but I do think it’s good to know when humans approach the level of humility, self-giving love, and courage of Jesus. The story of Crazy Horse is not well known. The little I knew of him before reading this book I learned at the monument being built in his memory, an amazing feat in progress that also isn’t well-known. 

If you find yourself in South Dakota, perhaps to see Mt. Rushmore, don’t miss The Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s nearby. Don’t wait for it to be finished; it will likely not be finished in my lifetime. It is astonishing for its size; Mt. Rushmore would fit only in the head of the huge Crazy Horse of this memorial. See it and read about the memorial and why it is being built without government money [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Lee & Low, 2000

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: There are numerous connections to Jesus such as Crazy Horse’s political concerns for his people, his humility, his vision quest, and his martyrdom. You might find connections to other biblical figures such as Moses and John the Baptist.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book or use Crazy Horse’s story in a lesson or sermon, making connections to Jesus or another man of God. Consider telling about The Crazy Horse Memorial as well.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 327

Picture Book: I Have an Olive Tree

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Karen Barbour

Summary: Sophia, age 7, is puzzled that her grandfather has given her an olive tree for her birthday. Even more puzzling, the tree is on an island in Greece, where the family lived before coming to California. Her grandfather explains that those who purchased their house let them keep the tree as a symbol of their family’s rootedness to Greece. When Sophia’s grandfather dies, he gives Sophia her grandmother’s string of pearls and asks her to go to Greece and hang the pearls on the olive tree. Upon arrival, they are dazzled by the strangeness of Greece as they wait for the ferry to take them to the island. As they approach the family home and tree, Sophia begins to have strange feelings. The tree was not as Sophia imagined, but it moves her emotionally. She pulls the pearls out of her backpack and her mother lifts her up so that she can hang the beads on a high branch. Sophia realizes that the trip is not just about the beads. It is also about her mother’s memories and Sophia gaining an understanding of her roots. As Sophia considers coming back someday, she says, ”I have an olive tree.”

Hanna’s Comments: This is a rich story of family heritage and origin. Because our Holy Scriptures are often about these same themes, you should have no problem connecting this story to a variety of religious topics such as memory, the power of place, altars, reverence, family bonds, or inheritance. Besides connections to scripture, tie this story and a scripture to an aspect or person in your local family of faith as well. Creating strong connections to the people and place where you worship is invaluable and important for the future of your spiritual community. Another direction you could take is to consider the spiritual symbolism of trees in general. 

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999

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

# of Pages: 32 

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio Cassette

PBT Category:  Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: acceptance, action, adventure, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, babies/children, belonging, birth/birthday, bonds/connections, change, death/loss/grief, Europe, exile/separation/walls, family, fruit/fruit of the spirit, grandparents, heritage, home, identity/names, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, land/mountains/soil, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, reverence, self-discovery, travel, worship

Scripture Connections: I am like a green olive tree in the house of God, I trust in the steadfast love of God (Psalm 52:8); your children will be like olive shoots around you (Psalm 128:3b); a good person leaves an inheritance (Proverbs 13:22); the word of God’s grace is able to give you your inheritance (Acts 20:32); so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you may be rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17); rooted and built up in him and established in the faith (Colossians 2:7); work heartily as for the Lord, knowing that you will receive the inheritance as your reward (Colossians 3:23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or teens who are learning about their religious or spiritual heritage or origins. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 286

Picture Book: The Dove

Author: Dianne Stewart

Illustrator: Jude Daly

Summary: After crops are destroyed by flood on Lindi’s South African farm, she and her grandmother begin feeding a dove who they liken to the dove in the story of Noah’s ark. To buy new seed for planting and to feed themselves, they make traditional bead jewelry to sell at market, but they are unsuccessful. Then Lindi is inspired to make a beautiful beaded dove, a unique item, which sells easily. As new crops grow, they create new designs for beaded animals and begin to make a good living.    

Hanna’s Comments: Though this story ties into Noah’s ark, it could be used in a variety of lessons that are unrelated to the flood from the Hebrew Scriptures such as lessons on ingenuity or work, both of which are gifts from God. No matter your topic, be sure to talk about the symbolism of the dove in the Old Testament story and what it might mean to these two characters.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Green Willow Books, 2005

Age and 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: Post 2 K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: Africa, animals, change, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, disaster, eggs/seeds, family, flood, gifts/giftedness/talents, home, labor/work, land/mountains, poverty, rain, storm

Scripture Connections: Noah’s ark (Genesis 6), be transformed by the renewal of your mind to discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2), according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a program about social justice issues surrounding fair trade practices or fair trade companies such as Ten Thousand Villages or SERRV.org.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 262

Picture Book: On Earth

Author & Illustrator: G. Brian Karas

Summary: In this smart picture book, the author/illustrator depicts our Earth in a way that young children can easily understand. Although the children on Earth’s surface are shown to be about the side of a small country, your young audience won’t mind. They’ll be gleaning important scientific concepts to help them visualize and understand our vast and well-designed solar system and the forces that affect them.  Concepts such as the Earth’s rotation, revolution around the sun, and our place among our planetary neighbors are wonderfully shown. Daylight moves from shadow into night. Seasons in both hemispheres are explained, and months are delineated. Gravity is given the credit it is due, and key concepts are defined on the last page.

Hanna’s Comments: This book would be great to read to a group of young students in a homeschool or private school where beliefs in God’s creation can be paired with some basic planetary science. Focus on the beauty and awe we have when personally discovering and considering these extraordinary gifts from God. Then consider talking about our God-given responsibility for caretaking and conservation of Earth and Earth’s resources.

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2005

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: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, awe, beauty, creation, dependence/interdependence, directions/maps, geography, heaven/sky, home, humanity, land/mountains/soil, life, moon/space/stars/sun, wonder

Scripture Connections: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1); he set the earth on its foundations (Psalm 104:5); You, Lord, laid the foundations of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands (Hebrews 1:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of young children who are just beginning to understand God’s creation, our human home, and our place in the solar system.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 255

Picture Book: Hope Springs

Author: Eric Walters

Illustrator: Eugenie Fernandes

Summary: Boniface is a young orphan boy in Kenya who leads a group of younger orphans to gather water down at the small spring shared by the entire drought-ridden village, a spring that is simply drops of water, seeping from rocks into a muddy puddle. Because the orphans are new to the area, the children are forced to leave without water. The adults give this reason: “You may live here, but you are not from here. This is our water for our families.” When they return, Henry, Boniface’s houseparent, explains that they were not welcome to get water because the villagers are afraid their own families will not have water. The spring could dry up anytime. Meanwhile, through donations to the orphanage, a well is being built next to the orphanage. When the orphanage’s well is successfully dug, Boniface suggests that the well-digging equipment be used to build a well in the valley for the villagers. Henry agrees as long as the villagers provide the labor. The village well is successfully built and named Hope Springs. The book ends with these words: “And there was enough water – and enough kindness - for all.”  

Hanna’s Comments: My favorite line in this inspiring true story is Boniface’s response to his Henry’s surprise that the boy wants to help those who turned him away. “We are not desperate… so perhaps we can be kind. I know that when you give water, you give life.” If only more people could overcome fear and scarcity with such generosity! On my PBT blog, I use the non-fiction category more loosely than you would find in a library. If a picture book is based on a true story, I categorize it as non-fiction. is an example. It’s unlikely you’ll find it in the non-fiction section of your library. Look in the fiction section. In the back of the book, you’ll see The Story Behind the Story which includes a map and photographs of the characters and places in the story, including the built wells. You may want to learn more about the author’s philanthropic endeavors for orphans in Kenya at www.creationofhope.com.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tundra Books, 2014

Age & 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, but there is a 15 minute TEDx video on Youtube.com of the author talking about his experiences in Kenya.

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, Africa, anxiety/worry, babies/children, blessings, body of Christ, challenges, community, dependence/interdependence, discord, drink/thirst, drought, fear, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, goodness, grace, helping, hope, insecurity, intolerance, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, orphans, outreach, partners/teamwork, problems/problem solving, sharing, survival, water, wisdom

Scripture Connections:  You shall treat the stranger as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself (Leviticus 19:34); and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6); blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6); 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)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with children or youth when talking about scarcity of water in many places in the world or overcoming selfishness and fear with generosity.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 254

Picture Book: Amos & Boris

Author & Illustrator: William Steig

Summary: The story begins with Amos, a mouse who loves the sea, deciding to build a boat and set sail. Amos gets so caught up in the beauty of the sea and sky, that he rolls into the ocean. His boat drifts away, and he is left to tread water. Eventually, he is rescued by Boris, a whale and fellow mammal, though a very different sort, who considers it a privilege to take Amos home and learn about such a small creature. Along the way, the two become devoted friends with little in common but much admiration between them. When they say goodbye, Amos offers future help to his friend, but Boris wonders how his little friend could ever help such a big whale. Many years later, a hurricane strands Boris on Amos’ shore. Immediately they recognize each other, and Boris begs his little friend for help. Amos recruits two elephant friends who push Boris so that he rolls into the sea. Once again, the pair have to say goodbye, knowing they may never meet again but also knowing they will never forget each other.

Hanna’s Comments: There is a lot of potential here for meaningful conversations about high quality friendships, particularly those that are long-term and involve parties that are very different. This story also emphasizes the honor of responding to a friend in need. In the Christian tradition, we talk about the body of Christ as being comprised of valuable individuals with different strengths and needs. This book would help explore that concept or it could be used when teaching about Paul’s relationships with his traveling companions.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 1971

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

# of Pages: 28

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, There is an amateur video on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: beach/ocean/sea/shore, body of Christ, bonds/connections, cooperation, covenant/promises/vows, differences, friends/friendship, helping, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, land/mountains/soil, partners/teamwork, preparation, rescue, saving/savior

Scripture Connections: Paul’s friendships and travels with Barnabus, Silas, Timothy, Aquila, or Priscilla in the book of Acts; the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with listeners of all ages to illustrate the concept of the body of Christ or important long-term friendships found in our Holy Scriptures. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 222

Picture Book: Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle

Illustrator: Susan Jeffers

Summary: The central part of this book is a portion of a speech Chief Seattle gave in the mid-1850s while sitting at a table with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs who wanted to purchase the last of Chief Seattle’s native lands for the U.S. government. At the heart of his message is a reverence for the natural world, a hope that this world will be preserved, and a warning that waste of these resources and desecration of that which is beautiful will lead to the end of life.

Hanna’s Comments: In Jeffers introduction, she gives a brief history of Chief Seattle’s ancient people and describes Chief Seattle as being one of the bravest and most respected chiefs of the Northwest Nations. In her Endnote, Jeffers explains that this speech, was given in Chief Seattle’s native tongue. It was transcribed by a friend of the chief’s but translated numerous times. Jeffers too has adapted Chief Seattle’s words for this book. She says here that Chief Seattle’s words now haunt us. Our present environmental concerns, which have become more pressing and complicated since this book’s publication, as well as Jeffers’ striking illustrations here only add to that haunting.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 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: Biography, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, abuse/abuse of power, America, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, animals, awe, beauty, blessings, caring/tending, care of creation, citizenship, consumerism/consumption/riches, creation, dependence/interdependence, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, God’s presence, gratitude/thanksgiving, greed/selfishness, heritage, heroes, humanity, land/mountains/soil, legends/myths/manna, mentors/teachers, North America, prophesy/prophets, protecting/protection, reverence, treasure, vision, water, wilderness, wisdom  

Scripture Connections: For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7); long ago, at many times in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1)

Idea(s) for Application: The idea of prophets and prophesies is somewhat foreign to many of us. Chief Seattle and his words here seem like good examples of these concepts, especially when you consider how Chief Seattle’s passions and warnings, like those of the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures, were largely ignored. Instead, they were remembered after the painful prophesies came true. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 109

Picture Book: Building Our House

Author & Illustrator: Jonathan Bean

Summary: This is such a wonderfully detailed picture book about the process in which the author’s parents build his childhood home. Living the life of homesteaders, they use traditional construction techniques and involve even the youngest child in a manner that is intriguing and delightful. Readers get to see each of the numerous and exhausting steps, beginning with their arrival in an overloaded truck at a weedy field to their eventual collapse onto their couch in the newly finished home. Friends and family pitch in when needed, but mostly this is a 4-person family affair with mother and father Bean starring as the heroes of their son’s loving retelling of what must have been an invaluable childhood experience.

Hanna’s Comments: I was most fascinated by the way the Bean family built the foundation of their home. After picking up hundreds of rocks from their field, they built the wooden form and then mixed and poured the concrete which included as one of its contents the earlier rocks. This part of the story lends itself well to the idea of building on a firm foundation. Seeing these illustrations will help children understand why that principle is so crucial. You may want to begin the reading by showing your audience the family photographs that the author includes. Look in the back surrounding the Author’s Note which explains how this book is grounded in his family’s story.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2013

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

# of Pages: 48 

Available in Spanish? Not at present  

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audible, Video 

PBT Category: Award Winner, Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, action, adventure, affection, beginnings/morning, blessings, challenges, change, comfort, commitment, dreams/aspiration, family, fathers, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, helping, heritage, home, image of God, joy, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, milestones, mothers, new home/relocation, nurturing, parents/parental love, participation, partners/teamwork, perseverance, power, preparation/preparing, protecting/protection, rocks/shells/stones, safe place/sanctuary, satisfaction, strength/strength in God, time/timing/over time, transformation, unity, wisdom 

Scripture Connections: The Lord is my rock (Psalm 18:2); Build your house on rock not sand (Matthew 7:24-27); like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation (1 Corinthians 3:9-15)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a wonderful book to read to children who are homeschooled or in a private school where a construction project is in process. Use this event and wonderful picture book to inspire discussion about what your spiritual community views as the components of a “firm foundation” or a “safe sanctuary.”

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 106

Picture Book: Everybody Needs a Rock

Author: Byrd Baylor

Illustrator: Peter Parnall

Summary: Byrd Baylor is seriously passionate about everyone having a rock for a friend. She views rocks as much superior to other kinds of child companions such as bicycles and playhouses. So she offers 10 rules for finding your very own rock, a rock that you might even keep forever.  

Hanna’s Comments: This author's wit and enthusiasm for the objects that might have been the first toys in human history is delightful and contagious. After reading this book, I was desperate for a rock hunting expedition. Encourage the children in your religious community to go on such an expedition. 

Additionally, Baylor & Parnall have a beautiful book called The Other Way to Listen. It is about careful listening in natural spaces. The look of that book is similar to this one. Both are strikingly original! 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Charles Scribner’s Songs, 1974

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

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

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: artifacts, attentiveness/observation/seeing, choices/decisions, collections, comfort, Earth/world, the environment/nature, exploration, found, God’s nature, God’s presence, journeys/pilgrimages/migration/quests, land/mountains/soil, possessions, reverence, rocks/shells/stones, searching, strength/strength in God, treasure

Scripture Connections: The Lord is my rock and my fortress (Psalm 18:2); you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (Matthew 16:18)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with children when talking about metaphors for God such as God as a rock or in a lesson on Peter, Jesus’ disciple.