It Takes a Village for Little Bears Too

I've been saving this favorite book for a while. It's sooo good! 

Picture Book: Baby Bear

Author & Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: Baby bear is lost, but this little one is never alone. As he encounters members of his community, he respectfully asks for help. Each offers wise suggestions and encouragement. 

Mountain Lion suggests retracing his steps. 

Busy Frog encourages him by telling him to "Trust yourself. You will find your way home." 

Squirrels say that hugging a tree and thinking of home works for them. 

Baby Bear thinks it's silly but does just that. 

He's interrupted by a moose who suggests Baby Bear sit very still and listen to his heart. 

Baby bear does, 

but the tears come. 

A question comes from Ram, "Why are you crying?" Baby Bear admits he is lost so Ram suggests that he climb higher for a better view and sing a song for comfort. 

At the top, Owl hears his song. When Baby Bear says he is alone, Owl says, "I am here with you. You only need to look up and keep going. You will find your way home." 

Both exchange words of love and Baby Bear keeps going.

Next Baby Bear speaks to a salmon who is willing to lead him a little further if Baby Bear doesn't eat him. Baby Bear promises. 

Salmon shows him just where to get out of the river, 

and Baby Bear sees that he is 

home.

Hanna’s Comments: I know of no more beautiful book about discernment than this one. There is so much rich content here. This is a great book for teens and adults for that reason, but don't assume that children are too young to explore such an important spiritual concept. They need to be making wise decisions about their personal paths and choices. Encourage all of these audiences to talk about how their community and The Body of Christ help them make decisions or find their path. Kadir Nelson's work astounds me. I plan to feature another of his books on MLK Day. Check out other PBT posts featuring his books [here] and [here]. I recently used this book in my new preschool curriculum that’s linked to The Revised Common Lectionary. I chose it for a lesson about The Body of Christ. This book could also be used with adults to explore the journey of finding a faith home or your way back to your faith after disruption. For a really interesting lesson, have your children compare and contrast this story with the story of Jesus being left behind in Jerusalem when he was 12.

Original Publisher & Date: Balzar & Bray, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about discernment; Jesus left behind (Luke 2:41-49); The lost parables (Luke 15); we are The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27); the church is The Body of Christ (Revised Common Lectionary, Epistle Yr. A, Proper 29: Ephesians 1:22)
Idea(s) for Application: Home is a commonly explored spiritual concept. This book is all about finding home so it lends itself to all sorts of lessons about discernment, being lost, and leaning on our village for help.

An Alternative to The Giving Tree

Picture Book: The Amida Tree

Author & Illustrator: Bonnie Ferrante

Summary: Healthier emotional bonds are the "gift" of this variation of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. The story strongly echoes the 1964 classic, but the apple tree loves a girl, 

and the girl, in less selfish ways, benefits from her relationship with the tree while repeatedly demonstrating her love for it. Initially, she feels loved by the tree in the way it tickles her fingers.  

As she observes nature around the tree, she becomes intrigued and wants to purchase a microscope. When she asks the tree for its apples, the tree answers, "Many eat my apples... Take a few and perhaps a better idea will come to you." 

She does get a better idea. She creates forest characters and apple dolls and sells them, earning enough money for a microscope and a chemistry set! She wants to show her gratitude so the tree suggests that she plant some fallen apples. As her fascination for the tree and her understanding of botany grow, she creates compost. 

Hoping to pay for university, she asks for tree branches to sell for firewood. "That will weaken me," the tree responds and encourages another "better idea." 

Upon seeing a beaver's face in a branch, the girl becomes a woodcarver.

The success of her art, leads to an exit for university so she gratefully says goodbye to the tree. 

When she returns, the planted apples have sprouted. She explains that she is writing a book about the importance of wild fruit trees and will be traveling and telling their story. 

Age and burrowing insects weaken the tree so that a storm splits its trunk and a portion falls. 

After many years, the girl returns, aided by a carved cane and surrounded by blooming apple trees. All declare that they have missed each other!

Grateful for a place to rest, the girl settles into the sweet scent of apple blossoms, content with a life well-lived.

Hanna’s Comments: Honestly, these illustrations don't do much for me, but the story is excellent. Here you have a book that celebrates creative, artistic problem solving, a relationship with nature that seems vocational, and the many other positive aspects of this story mentioned above. I’m a big fan of The Giving Tree, I even consider it my earliest inspiration for PBT. I first heard it at church camp, but I do remember feeling guilty about being human as I heard how the boy used and used and used the tree that loved him. The end wasn’t particularly positive either. I still think it’s a valuable book. You’ll find my PBT post on it [here]. A simple faith-based lesson could be to read Silverstein's book first and then this book. Glean from your audience (children or adults), the differences in these stories and consider the value of each. Find God (or Christ or the Holy Spirit) in both of the stories. See if your audience notices the similarity between the apple doll and the girl as an elderly woman. Tie this to being made in God's image and connect that idea to both stories. Be sure to check out the excellent questions that Ferrante provides at the end of the book. You won't want to ask them all, but do consider asking some of them to your audience. 

Original Publisher & Date: Single Drop, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. (Proverbs 22:6); Jesus said, I am the vine; you are the branches (John 15:5); Paul wrote he hoped that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17-18)
Idea(s) for Application: I’ve created an elementary Sunday school lesson that features this book and connects it to the scriptures above and the 2^nd component of my church’s mission statement: All are welcome to worship, GROW, and serve. Interested in purchasing it for just $4? Leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

It = Vocation or Calling

Picture Book: You Can Do It!

Author: Tony Dungy

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Summary: Linden, is in a lot of pain, tooth pain. 

When he quacks in pain, his teacher warns that she will be calling his parents. Apparently, Linden has a history of entertaining his class with noises. 

In his defense, Linden explains about his tooth pain and then adds, “I just like to make people smile.”  His brother Tony likes to play football.  

Besides the toothache, Linden is troubled by something else. He shares with his family that he doesn’t know what his “it” is. He explains that Tony and his other classmates know “what they dream about or what they want to be.” 

Then Linden recites what his parents tell their children, “Whatever it is that you want to do, you can do it. Trust God and dream big!”

At dinner, older brother Tom prays, asking God to “please help Linden find his it.” 

Linden’s dad takes him to his science lab on the way to the dentist and explains that science is his it, but he hadn’t yet discovered it when he was Linden’s age. He assures Linden that he has plenty of time and to “just keep having faith.” 

At the dentist, Linden is fascinated by all the dentist’s instruments and methods. After the procedure, Linden asks the dentist lots of questions.

Later at Show & Tell, Linden explains to his classmates that being a dentist is his it because “When you make people feel good, they smile.” 

Hanna’s Comments: This story is full of loving family members who talk of God in a very natural way and encourage Linden. 

The children in your family of faith would benefit from experiencing such a story. The fact that this story comes from an NFL coach and former player may mean they will be especially attentive to the kind and faithful manner of Tom Dungy, the author, whose faith is very much a part of his vocation as a football coach. 

The book ends with a grateful letter from Tony Dungy, explaining that Linden did become a dentist and declaring his gratefulness for parents who encouraged their children to dream and pray to God about those dreams. 

Vocation (or having a calling) is a concept that children can begin learning about it elementary school. Many people have early experiences and inclinations that lead them toward a meaningful and God-ordained vocation that contributes to a better world. Remember the story of Samuel being called from his bed? Explain this kind of discernment and communicate your lofty and hopeful expectations that they too will serve God well according to God's gifts in them. God can use us all, no matter what we choose for work.

Original Publisher & Date: Little Simon, 2008

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio CD 

Scripture Connections: God calls Samuel from his bed (1 Samuel 3); For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11); Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:6a); …walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience (Ephesians 4: 1-2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson to children in your faith family when talking about gifts, vocation/calling, or loving encouragement. You might want to show them a short Youtube video of Tony Dungy. There are several. 

December Holiday Books 1 & 2

As we approach the December holidays, I’ve decided to break with PBT tradition and offer some sacred picture books along with my usual secular stories. There are so many beautiful Christmas and Hanukkah books so on my usual post days, Mondays and Fridays, I’ll briefly feature 2 books, a secular first and then a sacred. 

Picture Book: A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story about Knitting and Love

Author: Michelle Edwards

Illustrator: G. Brian Karas 

Summary: Sophia’s neighbor, Mrs. Goldman, taught her how to knit and regularly demonstrates the Jewish practice of mitzvah (doing a good deed) by knitting and giving hats. Sophia enjoys making the pom-poms for these gifts. While walking with her neighbor on a series of blustery days, Sophia worries that Mrs. Goldman has no hat for her own keppie (head) so Sophia decides to remember her lessons and knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman. Sophia struggles with the task but perseveres. Unhappy with the result, she adds 20 pom-poms to cover her mistakes. Mrs. Goldman gratefully exclaims that each pom-pom has been made with love.

Hanna’s Comments:  Sometimes a title tells me when I’ve found a PBT book! The loving generosity in this title is on every page of this book. I also very much liked the cross-cultural interaction of a Hispanic child (Sophia mentions her abuela) with a Jewish adult. The Jewish concept of mitzvah is an idea all of us would be enriched to know. Sophie’s creative problem solving, which I believe is a gift from God, is another aspect of this book that offers you rich material for conversation and activities in your family or faith community. A pattern for knitting the “Sophia hat” is in the back of this book.

Original Publisher & Date: Schwartz & Wade, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture that involves generosity to neighbor or patient perseverance through difficult work would connect with this story. In December, this story connects with religious practices of gift-giving and compassion.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about God-inspired good deeds or creative problem-solving. Making pom-poms would be a fun activity to supplement this book.

Picture Book: December

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: David Diaz

Summary: Simon and his mom live in a cardboard house on the street. They have managed to create a simple Christmas tree and decorate with a paper angel named December from a calendar. Christmas eve brings to their makeshift door an elderly woman, poorer even than Simon and his mother. They welcome her and give her a coat and food. Simon gives his guest his one cookie. Early Christmas morning, Simon is awakened by the old woman’s exit. When he gets up to close the door, he sees December, the Christmas angel instead of the old woman. She sings quietly to him as she disappears. The next Christmas eve finds Simon in a much better place. His mom has a job and they live in an apartment. Their decorations are still meager; December still smiles down at them. Simon remembers.

Hanna’s Comments:  Putting it simply, some Christmas picture books are joyous, but others are about suffering. Some might call the second kind depressing or dark and avoid reading them to children. I propose that stories of suffering harken back to the nativity. Jesus was poor and homeless. He and his parents were refugees. Children were murdered. Many of your children know the darkness of these stories already. The Christmas story is about hardship, emboldened by hope, and wrapped in love. All good stories are. Usually children can handle dark stories if you consider the age guidelines and are sensitive to who they are, how they will likely respond, and their reactions as they listen. Giving parents fair warning is a good idea too. If themes of homelessness are too harsh for your young audience, consider a similar story in Christmas Soup by Alice Faye Duncan (illustrator Phyllis Dooley).

Original Publisher & Date: Harcourt, 1997

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Matthew 2:1-18; Luke 2:1-20

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning and exploring the Nativity stories. 

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children #3

Illustration from Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell & David Catrow

The 3^rd PBT theological statement for young children is: God gave you a great body to do great things.

This is probably my favorite of the 12 statements because the books that tap into this idea cover such a wonderful range and are so encouraging to children. This statement not only inspires children to use their bodies to do good work and play. This statement is also about aspects of the brain such as learning, problem solving, imagination, and creativity.

Again I start with a Sandra Boynton book for very young children. Children are fascinated with belly buttons, probably because they are so reachable and weird looking. This fun book offers an opportunity celebrate an interesting aspect of the bodies of humans and many other animals. 

Be sure to tell children about the important function of belly buttons and how they are a reminder of when we were inside our mama’s bellies. Thanks be to God that our mama’s body was able to do such a great thing: feed us while we were growing. What a wonderful design and reminder God has given us!

Picture Book: Belly Button Book

Author & Illustrator: Sandra Boynton

Original Publisher & Date: Workman, 2002

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

The next book is a celebration of art in all its wondrous varieties. Here you have young children engaging in painting, music, writing, cooking, dancing, pottery, sewing, and performing. The double page spread at the end is a theatrical culmination of the creative work the children have been doing to demonstrate to an audience “When We Grow Up.”

This is a perfect book for a unit on careers that allows you to open up the spiritual aspects of vocation. Don’t use those words, of course. Simply talk to the children about how being made in the image of God means that we get to be creators too. And God gives us a body (and brain) that encourages our creativity and artistry in our good work as children and adults. 

 Picture Book: Think Big                                      

 Author: Liz Garton Scanlon

 Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley Newton

 Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2012

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

 Formats other than Book: None at present

The next PBT offering is a fun book about science! Children in an elementary classroom are given the materials to participate in a Going Places contest (similar to a soap box derby). Rafael and Maya, are next door neighbors. Rafael follows the direction in the box, but Maya’s dreams carry her literally outside the box to the possibility that her contraption might fly. Rafael catches Maya’s dream and they work together. They win the race in an amazing way that doesn’t quite fit with the laws of science, but your children will love their dreaming. You’ll love the chance to talk about how cooperation often leads to a better end. Encourage your children to consider what God might want them to invent to make the world a better place.

Picture Book: Going Places

Author: Peter and Paul Reynolds

Illustrator: Peter Reynolds

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

The next offering is a twofer. The author and illustrator followed up the success of the book pictured here with a male version: My Name is Not Alexander: Just How Big Can a Little Kid Dream? (2018 Update) Now available: Isabella: Girl on the Go and Isabella: Star of the Story.

No matter which book you choose, you’ll delight in the imaginations of these children who refuse to answer to their own name because they are pretending to be a famous person. Can you guess who Isabella becomes? Sally the astronaut, Annie the sharpshooter, Rosa the activist, Marie the scientist, Elizabeth the doctor, and Mommy the greatest Mommy ever. In the back of each book you’ll find facts about each hero, including Mommy or Daddy!

Picture Book: My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big                                           Can a Little Girl Dream?          

Author: Jennifer Fosberry

Illustrator: Mike Litwin

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2008

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:

Here are My Hands - 8/30/14     

You’re Here for a Reason - 1/11/16

Have Fun Molly Lou Melon - 7/26/14  

Lola Loves Stories - 4/22/14        

Lion’s Lunch - 5/8/14

I Love You Nose, I Love You Toes - 2/18/15

Extra Yarn - 5/31/14 

The Little Engine That Could - 4/20/14

Hands Say Love - 3/14/15  

Planting a Rainbow - 9/5/14

The Curious Garden - 8/13/14