It is Not Good to Be Alone

Picture Book: Mouse Island

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Dominic Catalano 

Summary: Mouse lives alone on an island with a lighthouse that has been electrified so human operators are no longer needed. 

He is safe and comfortable, but he feels that something is missing in his life. He interacts with animals that come and go, but he is lonely. 

When Mouse sees a ship sink, he jumps into the water to help save the passengers. The humans on the ship are able to get into a lifeboat, but Cat is left in the water. 

Mouse drags Cat to shore. Once revived, Cat explains to Mouse that cats eat mice.

Mouse is stunned, but Cat reassures him that Cat will never eat Mouse. Instead, Cat wants to hear about his new home.

They begin teaching each other about their lives. Cat promises to teach Mouse to play beach volleyball. The book ends with Mouse contemplating how strange it is to find what you didn’t realize you needed.

Hanna’s Comments: Be sure to show the illustration on the title page before reading. 

It gives some perspective, showing the island and Cat before the shipwreck. The central message of this book is subtle so you may need to help your audience find meaning. Mouse needs loving companionship. Then a companion is provided by unusual circumstances. God does that sometime. Genesis 2 says we are not meant to be alone. Even though Cat is an enemy according to the world, Mouse sees Cat as a creature to save, befriend, and share the island, despite their differences. The lighthouse can be viewed as God’s light or Jesus. Lastly, you might want to discuss with your children how sometimes heroes are quite small.

Original Publisher & Date: Boyds Mills Press, 2008

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: It is not good for the man to be alone (Genesis 2:18); love your enemies (Luke 6:27); all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this story as part of a lesson for children about the importance of close relationships, the concept of enemies and how to treat them, or God’s wise provision. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 360

Picture Book: Over There

Author & Illustrator: Steve Pilcher 

Summary: Shredder, a tiny shrew, is happy in his forest home. It’s cozy and food is aplenty, but there’s no one to talk to or sing with him. He wonders if there might be something more, something better. He sees a shiny object in the distance and decides it might provide the answer. Despite his fears, his curiosity leads him to set off and explore. His point of view changes as the sky gets bigger and the grass gets taller. When he reaches a stream he must cross, he finds the shiny object there. It is a silver boat (aluminum foil bowl) which he expects will serve him nicely as his journey continues, but it quickly capsizes. A dark furry mole fishes him out of the water and introduces himself as Nosey, a professional digger. Nosey invites Shredder to dig. They dig together until a shadow falls over them. Together they quickly hide until it is gone and decide to find Shredder’s home. Shredder, wearing red and blue, says to Nosey, who is wearing purple, “Did you know that red and blue make purple?” At this question, Nosey responds that purple is his favorite color. Everything did seem better.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is part of a series of books that highlight the artists of Pixar Animation Studios, makers of movies like Finding Nemo and Up. The illustrations are luscious! The story is poignant and has potential for much discussion about the benefits of considering the possibility of more, exploring beyond your ordinary, and being in community. Both children and adults would enjoy this book. Consider starting with the question, “Why did Shredder want someone to sing with him?”

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Disney Press, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 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: adventure, attentiveness/observation/seeing, beginnings/morning, belonging, bonds/connections, choir/music/singing/songs, community, companionship, discovery/invention, emotions/feelings, exploration, found, friends/friendship, God’s will, hiding/isolation, home, hope, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, loneliness, openness, presence, questioning/questions, searching

Scripture Connections: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil… (Ecclesiastes 4:9); where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20)  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about the benefits of being in community. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 340

Picture Book: Eight Days: A Story of Haiti

Author: Edwidge Danticat

Illustrator: Alix Delinois

Summary: On the first page of this extraordinary book, Junior is being interviewed on camera. He has just been pulled out of the rubble that was his home prior to the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Junior explains that while he was trapped and afraid, he missed his family but he was brave too. In his mind, he played. Each double page spread that follows chronologically takes the reader through the memories of play that Junior clings to from the first day to the eighth day when he is rescued. These imaginings help Junior survive. In many of his pretend memories, Junior plays beside his friend Oscar, who is with him in the rubble. On the fifth day, during a memory of playing soccer with Oscar, “Oscar felt very tired and went to sleep. He never woke up. That was the day I cried.” Two more days of beautiful memories follow, memories of a pre-earthquake Haiti that no longer exists.

Hanna’s Comments: Before reading this book, explain to your audience that the days of activities that Junior engages in are pretend memories that help him cope as he waits in the rubble to be rescued. Also, tenderly warn them of the death of Alex, likely beside Junior as they wait. Be sure to point out to your audience that Junior is not an actual person, but he symbolically represents not only the many who were trapped and rescued because of the earthquake, but the entire nation of Haiti. A Note from the Author in the back gives context to the earthquake. Why do I offer such a heartbreaking story for you to read to children or youth? Because I believe such stories build compassion, empathy, and resilience. Talk about how Junior’s good memories of the Haiti he knew before the quake, may have kept him from giving up and likely kept him strong as he waited.

I would also highly recommend these books about Haiti: Hope for Haiti by Jesse Joshua Watson, also about children after the 2010 earthquake, and Selavi: A Haitian Story of Hope by Youme, a book written before the earthquake about orphaned children who together create a children’s radio station, Radyo Timoun, which is still in operation today. There are also several non-fiction books about Haiti and the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Orchard Books, 2010

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: adaptation/assimilation, anxiety/worry, armor, aspirations/dreams, bravery/courage, brokenness, challenges, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, danger, death/loss/grief, difficulties, disaster, emotions/feelings, fear, found, friends/friendship, hope, loneliness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, miracles, North America, patience, perseverance, play, prisons/prisoners, resurrection, strength/strength in God, survival, tragedy, victims, waiting    

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you (Joshua 1:9); oh Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7); they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength… (Isaiah 40:31); fear not for I am with you… I will strengthen you… (Isaiah 41:10); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary or middle school children who are learning about how to faithfully respond to fear in challenging circumstances. Or Read this to a group of people going on a mission trip to Haiti.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 315

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

Author: Katherine Applegate

Illustrator: G. Brian Karas

Summary: The first 7 pages of this picture book are about Ivan’s idyllic life with his gorilla family in Central Africa. Then a poacher takes Ivan and another baby gorilla and transports them inside a small crate to Tacoma, Washington where an owner of a shopping mall had placed an order for them “like a couple of pizzas.” They were named Burma and Ivan after a Name the Baby Gorillas Contest. Sadly, soon after their arrival Burma died, and Ivan was alone. For his first three years in America, Ivan lived in a human home and was cuddled and played with by humans.  Eventually he was placed in a cage in the mall where he grew into a silverback gorilla. He had a TV and a few toys, but mostly he watched the people through a window. Shoppers began to react negatively to Ivan’s lonely life, but it wasn’t until he had lived in his cage for 27 years that he was gently moved to Zoo Atlanta where scientists helped him adapt to a more jungle-like lifestyle. There are a few photographs of the gorillas in the back of the book along with some more facts and even a painting by Ivan.  

Hanna’s Comments: This second PBT Dynamic Duo offering about rescued animals is quite different than those offered yesterday. Because this story is beautifully animated and reads less like a documentary and more like a children’s story, the realities of Ivan’s life are not as harsh as my summary might suggest. Do consider the sensitivities of your young audiences though when choosing non-fiction stories or videos about animals that are mistreated. I could have featured many more picture books like these some of which involve cross-species relationships that fascinate scientists. Here are a few others:

Terra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

Suryia & Rosco: The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship

Kate & Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story

Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World

Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, The back of this book explains that you can access a slideshow about Ivan at www.ZooAtlanta.org.

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, adaptation/assimilation, Africa, America, animals, brokenness, cruelty, the environment/nature, exile/separation, fear, greed/selfishness, growing up/growth, loneliness, neglect, new home/relocation, pets, poaching/stealing/theft, rescue, respect, victims

Scripture Connections: Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6); 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: Use any of these picture books about animals when talking about God’s creative design of various species and how humans have been encouraged to be their caretakers. OR Use these books to speak about the various ways love can be demonstrated, even across species. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 311

Picture Book: Cat and Bunny

Author & Illustrator: Mary Lundquist

Summary: Born on the same day, Cat & Bunny have always been together, just the two of them. They have even made up a game together: The Made-Up Game. When another character, Quail, wants to play too, Bunny is welcoming, but Cat is not. Others join the game. As Bunny’s attention is on the new friends, Cat wanders away, sad and hoping Bunny will come to find her. Instead a kitten approaches and wants to play. Cat begins playing a new Made-Up Game with the kitten. Then Giraffe asks to play. Cat, no longer pouting, says, “Of course.” Then the earlier group of children ask to join the new Made-Up Game. Cat welcomes them all, especially her friend Bunny.

Hanna’s Comments: It’s not clear here if Cat & Bunny are twins, neighbors, best friends, or all of the above. Also, what’s with the costumes?! Are these human children who each have a different animal costume or is this an original world this talented first time picture book author has created? It’s a mystery that I especially like. This will not be a problem for young children who are used to dealing with unknowns. You don’t need to answer all of their questions. Here you have the theme of sharing attention which is a big issue for many young children. Also, one of my favorite spiritual disciplines is offered here in simple terms: hospitality. This book encourages little ones to consider that being open to new friendships and shared fun doesn’t have to be threatening. In fact, community sharing can even enrich your experiences. I also like that Cat’s strategy of wandering away and pouting doesn’t get her the attention she so desires. That’s the psychologist in me. At first Cat doesn’t get her way, but what she does get is a new set of friends that don’t deplete her rich relationship with Bunny, and she discovers the delights of shared joy in community.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Balzer & Bray, 2015

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: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, belonging, change, choices/decisions, community, companionship, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, exclusion/inclusion, friends/friendship, hiding/isolation, hospitality, integration, loneliness, openness, outsiders, perspective, play, segregation, sharing, shyness, unity

Scripture Connections: They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share (1 Timothy 6:18); do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2); do not neglect to do good and to share what you have (Hebrews 13:6); above all, keep loving one another earnestly … show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:8-9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to young children when wanting to encourage the sharing of attention, toys, games, and/or relationships. This book would also be an excellent tool for beginning to teach the concept of empathy.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 302

Picture Book: Sadako

Author: Eleanor Coerr

Illustrator: Ed Young

Summary: It’s August of 1954 in Hiroshima, Japan, and a happy and healthy Sadako Sasaki is anticipating Peace Day, a memorial day for those who died in the atomic bombing of that city. Although it is like a carnival, Sadako is reminded that it is first a day of memorial and reverance. Next we learn of Sadako’s dreams of being a great runner as she prepares for a relay race. When spells of dizziness and fainting plague her, Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia, known as the atomic bomb disease. She is hospitalized long term. A friend brings her origami paper and tells her of a Japanese legend. If a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, she will be made well again. With each crane Sadako folds, she wishes to get better. She meets a young boy with the same disease who has little hope. She sends him a crane, but it does not save him. After folding 500 cranes, Sadako does begin to feel better so she goes home where she receives a beautiful kimono from her mother. She becomes weak again and returns to the hospital where she continues to work on her cranes, reaching 644. Eventually she begins to accept and wonder about death. Her death is written here as a peaceful, dream with her family surrounding her. After her death, Sadako’s friends finish folding the paper cranes. The book ends with a description of the monument placed in Sadako’s memory at Hiroshima Peace Park where every Peace Day children hang garlands of paper cranes. The monument is inscribed with these words: This is our cry, this our prayer: Peace in the world.    

Hanna’s Comments: This book has many references to Sadako’s faith. You will need to frame these contradictions with your own faith in a way that does not detract from this powerful story. Sadako was made famous all over the world via a chapter book for children written by this author in 1977. Much material is available about her, on-line and otherwise. You’ll find short videos, books of various reading levels, supplemental teaching activities, and even music by pianist George Winston. Her short life has inspired many. Choose carefully what you will share with a young audience. This subject is not an easy one, but it will be remembered. Point out that “peace” has many meanings. In this book, Sadako seems to have attained a personal peace as she faces her death. There is another picture book about Sadako, but it was not in our local library system for me to review. It is Peace Crane by Sheila Hamanaka.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1992

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are none for this picture book, but there are many materials about Sadako Sasaki on-line and otherwise.

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Biography, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, Asia, brokenness, commitment, death/loss/grief, difficulties, dying, endings, friends/friendship,  heroes, labor/work, legends/myths, loneliness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, prayer, reverence, victims, war/war veterans, wishes

Scripture Connections: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4); blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9); so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18); seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to older children in lessons about peace or young heroes who have inspired others. 

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 291

Terrific Trio: Book 2

Picture Book: Sorry

Author: Jean Van Leeuwen

Illustrator: Brad Sneed

Summary: Brothers Ebenezer and Obadiah are farmers who live happily together until Obadiah complains of lumps in the oatmeal that Ebenezer made. Ebenezer responds by putting his bowl of oatmeal over Obadiah’s head. The brothers never speak again. Obadiah moves half of the house to a nearby hill and starts a new farm. Each of the brothers marry and begin a family. Each family member learns not to speak to those neighbors though they are unsure why. Generations come and reasons for the feud are created. Eventually, great-grandsons from each family, Nathaniel and Luther, are sent to the shared fence to investigate missing crops. When Nathaniel begins to eat an apple that has fallen to his side, Luther accuses him of stealing apples. Nathaniel accuses his cousin of stealing corn. Then Nathaniel says a peculiar thing, perhaps because of loneliness, “Sorry.” Luther is astonished, but responds with a smile and a suggestion that they trade. Together the boys laugh and eat apples.

Hanna’s Comments: This second book in this PBT Terrific Trio of books with the same title is a little more complicated than yesterday’s offering. Here you have emphasized the sin of pride and its potential for long-term harm. Be sure to talk with your listeners about what these families have lost over the years because the two brothers refused to apologize. Talk about their loneliness and how awkward it must have been to live so long next to each other without speaking. Be sure to mention not only apologizing and confession, but the importance of forgiveness too. Tomorrow’s book emphasizes being authentic when you say you’re sorry.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2001

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: anger, belonging, bonds/connections, brokenness, choices/decisions, communication, confession, conflict, death/loss/grief, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, enemies, exile/separation, family, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, greed/selfishness, guilt, hatred, heritage, intolerance, legacies, loneliness, neighbors, pride, relationships, rocks/shells/stones, siblings/sibling rivalry

Scripture Connections: Cain and Abel (Genesis 4); how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity (Psalm 133:1); be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32); let brotherly love continue (Hebrews 13:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about Cain and Abel or the importance of humility and forgiveness in relationships.