Favorite Posts #8 - Books for Lent & Easter

As we approach Lent and Easter, I thought seeing this post would be particularly helpful. In my next post, I’ll add to these lists of PBT books, giving you links to more PBT books about Lent and Easter that I’ve featured more recently. 

For those of us who are liturgical Christians, Ash Wednesday is upon us. This solemn day begins the season of Lent, a period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) that symbolically represents Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness. This season guides us through Holy Week in preparation for Easter. 

At PBT, I’ve offered many picture books that you might want to choose to read during this season to help children connect in new ways to the concepts we consider and the events we remember during Lent and Easter. I’ve listed them below with a guiding connection that will help you tie the Biblical concepts/stories to the content of the picture book. 

These books are not meant to be perfect reflections of the Biblical concepts/stories. Instead they are offered as tools to encourage conversation, exploration, and application. For each, enjoy the secular story then let it lead you to more meaningful consideration of theological or spiritual possibilities. I’ve listed the book titles which serve as links to the PBT post. Books for the youngest audiences are listed first.

Lent (in general)

Lent is a time for remembering that Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness for 40 days and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Therefore, during Lent we focus on intentional prayer, fasting, and service. Fasting is viewed generally as refraining from something (not just food) that distracts you from God. With a sense of repentance (returning to God), we re-focus our lives to be more like Jesus.

Make connections with these stories and the concept of refraining from distractions or temptations in order to live more generously, like Jesus:

Curious George Saves His Pennies     

Strega Nona                                             

A Chair for My Mother                          

Extra Yarn                                                

My Mouth is a Volcano                         

These are great books about prayer:

Does God Hear My Prayer?                 

Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer       

Ash Wednesday

In an Ash Wednesday worship service, the sign of the cross is made with ashes in order to recognize our mortality so that we may humbly begin Lent committed to make changes and determined to be more like Jesus.

These stories connect well with the concept of humility:

Bear Has a Story to Tell                        

The Three Questions                               

Albert                                                         

Those Shoes                                              

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a celebration of the hope that Jesus brings and an offering of the praise that he deserves. Here I’m offering books about both of these concepts: hope and praise.

Tie these concepts to the story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.

    About Hope:

Hope is an Open Heart                          

If You Want to See a Whale                  

And Then It’s Spring                              

A Child’s Garden                                     

We Shall Overcome                                

Hope Springs                                           

About Praise:

I Will Rejoice                                            

Let’s Make a Joyful Noise                   

All God’s Critters                                     

The Hallelujah Flight                             

Jesus’s Anger at the Money Changers

Children need clarification when it comes to how to deal with their anger. When Jesus sees the money changers whose greed is spoiling the purposes of the Temple, he gets violently angry.

Here’s the best story I know for children about anger:

When Sophie Gets Angry…                     

The Upper Room (Maundy Thursday)

The story of Jesus in the Upper Room with his disciples is a foundational story in the Christian faith. You have the first communion (the elements and a call to remember) and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (a call to service).

Delve into the components of the Upper Room story with these books: 

Hands Say Love                                        

Bread Comes to Life                                 

The Memory String                                  

Uncle Willie & the Soup Kitchen            

Washing the Willow Loon                       

The Garden of Gethsemane

The focus on this event is usually Jesus’ prayer, but here I offer a book about what Jesus’ disciples did not do for him in the garden.

This is the best book I know about being with friends when they are suffering and doing what they need you to do:

A Sick Day for Amos McGee                   

Peter Denies Knowing Jesus

This story is about Peter’s deceit and shame.

Here I offer a delightful picture book about being shamed and lying about who you are:

Unlovable                                                    

Golgotha

Connect these picture books with the story of Jesus on the cross.

These books are either about the concepts of sacrifice, giving, forgiveness or death:

One Winter’s Day                                      

The Friend                                                   

Stone Soup                                                   

Badger’s Parting Gifts                              

The Grudge Keeper                                    

Our Tree Named Steve                              

The Goodbye Boat                                      

The Giving Tree                                          

Easter

The pivotal event of the Christian faith is a celebration of joy, beauty, and possibility.

These wonderful feelings can easily be connected to these picture books:

AnnaHibiscus Song                                  

MorningHas Broken                                

WinterMoon Song                                     

YesDay!                                                        

Waitingfor Wings                                      

Whata Wonderful World                         

TheGardener                                               

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children #8

Illustration from Be Gentle by Virginia Miller

Finding stories that are appropriate for toddlers & preschoolers becomes challenging when considering the topics of the next PBT statement for young children: God/Jesus doesn’t want you to lie, steal, or hurt others.

Illustration from Be Gentle by Virginia Miller

Generally, these darker subjects are not addressed in stories for the very young except perhaps for the last prohibition, hurting others. Parents and teachers of young children often have to teach children to “be gentle” or “don’t hurt.” I did find a few excellent series that are specifically published to address social-emotional skills which are crucial for children's success in school and later in adult life. 

I featured 2 books in the Best Behavior Series on February 16, 2015. These 2 books had the same title, Words are Not for Hurting, but one was much simpler and offered Spanish text as well. The rest in the series are also perfect for very young children and many connect with this theological statement. Some are board books, and some come with Spanish text. Their contents are obvious, given the titles, so I’m just going to list those below. 

The illustrator for all is Marieka Heinlen. The author of all is Elizabeth Verdick, except for the first which is by Martine Agassi. Elizabeth Verdick also has a series called Toddler Tools which describes in simple terms typical moments in a young child’s day. Here are some titles from that series: Calm Down Time, Naptime, Sharing Time, Listening Time.

Best Behavior Series:

Hands are Not for Hitting

Feet are Not for Kicking

Teeth are Not for Biting

Tails are Not for Pulling

Germs are Not for Sharing

The Getting Along Series is for children a little older. The recommended age is 4 and up rather than 2 and up for the series above. This series focuses on more complex interpersonal interactions. They are all written by Cheri J. Meiners who also writes the Being the Best Me Series, which I would highly recommend. It covers topics like forgiveness, integrity, and resilience.

 Getting Along Series:

Talk and Work It Out

Cool Down and Work Through Anger

Know and Follow Rules

Share and Take Turns

Be Polite and Kind

Be Honest and Tell the Truth

Respect and Take Care of Things

Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:

The Empty Pot - 7/27/14     

Peace, Baby - 7/8/14

Unlovable - 6/27/14

Do Unto Otters - 10/25/14

Be Gentle - 2/10/15

Too Tall Houses – 3/21/16

Words are Not for Hurting - 2/16/15

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 99

Note: The photograph above is the Braille version of this book.

Picture Book: The Empty Pot

Author & Illustrator: Demi

Summary: Ping is a young boy who, like many in China at the time of this traditional tale, has a passion for growing flowers. What he grows bursts into bloom. When the Emperor needs a successor, he decides to “let the flowers choose.” The Emperor orders all the young children to come to his palace to receive flower seeds. Whoever shows the Emperor “their best in a year’s time” will succeed him. Ping receives the flower seeds but has no success; nothing grows. When the year ends, Ping fearfully brings an empty pot to the Emperor. The other children bring brilliant blooms. When the Emperor asks for Ping’s explanation, Ping describes the different methods he tried for growing the seeds, and then Ping says “Nothing grew. It was the best I could do.” The Emperor smiles and proclaims that Ping will be his successor. All the seeds had been cooked, making them impossible to grow. Only Ping has been honest and courageous.

Hanna’s Comments: Like so many traditional tales, this has a clever twist and an honorable hero. Consider using this book when talking about the importance of honesty or courage. Emphasize that the beauty in this story is not only in the flowers but also in the characters of Ping and the Emperor. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Square Fish, 1990

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Video on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Traditional

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, anxiety/worry, Asia, authenticity, babies/children, bravery/courage, challenges, choices/decisions, chosen, competition, confession, consequences/punishment, disappointment, deception/dishonesty/lies/lying, eggs/seeds, ethics, flowers/leaves/trees, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, gifts/giftedness/talents, goodness, honesty, humility, labor/work, the Law/rules/10 commandments, legends/myths, resisting evil, respect, righteousness, risking, temptations, truth

Scripture Connections: The story of Joseph interpreting dreams for Pharaoh (Genesis 41); Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); For we aim at what is honorable (2 Corinthians 8:21)

Idea(s) for Application: This book would work well with a lesson on Joseph when he chooses to tell the Pharaoh dire dream interpretations. This telling took a great deal of courage and led to Joseph becoming an Egyptian leader who saves many during the terrible famine his dreams predicted.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 69

Picture Book: Unlovable

Author & Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino 

Summary: Because of how he looks, Alfred, a pug, has to put up with the taunts of his family’s cat, bird, and neighborhood animals. The cat has even taught the bird to call Alfred, “Unlovable.” Alfred comes to believe he is unlovable. When a family moves in on the other side of the tall fence, Alfred communicates with a potential new dog friend, Rex. Relieved that he can’t be seen and desiring a friend so badly, Alfred says he is a golden retriever. Once their friendship grows, Alfred regrets his lie. When Rex digs under the fence to meet Alfred face to face, Alfred’s lie and their shared breed is revealed. The 2 pugs then discover what true friendship is all about.   

Hanna’s Comments: This simple tale has a lot to say about how words can hurt and shame can jeopardize potential friendships. Too often harsh words & negative labels are accepted in families and in religious communities. Shame is a heavy burden that affects long-term. This book offers an opportunity for children to talk about social bullying and the harm it can do. Having these kinds of conversations in your religious community offers a way to frame this issue with your community’s values in mind. 

Publisher and Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2001

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 3 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: abuse/abuse of power, acceptance, anxiety/worry, beauty, bonds/connections, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, cruelty, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, disception/dishonesty/lies/lying, exclusion/inclusion, friends/friendship, hiding/isolation/separation/walls, identity/names, injustice, insecurity, intolerance, judgment/judges/judging, justice, loneliness, neighbors, prejudice, relationships, secrets, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, surprise, truth

Scripture Connections: God’s instructions to Samuel to not judge based on looks but based on the heart instead (1 Samuel 16:7); Judge not that you will not be judged (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37)

Idea(s) for Application: as part of a lesson on judging others and the harm it can do to individuals and community; part of a lesson on unconditional love