PBT Redux #24 - Is This Panama?

Picture Book: Is This Panama? A Migration Story

Author: Jan Thornhill

Illustrator: Soyeon Kim

Summary: Sammy, a young warbler, has heard wonderful descriptions of Panama from other warblers. He is excited about his first migration from near the Arctic Circle all the way to Panama, but then he discovers the other warblers have migrated without him. Being so young, Sammy doesn’t know the route, but he is determined so he sets off with a willingness to ask for directions from other creatures along the way. Although Sammy enjoys these interactions, the other creatures steer him wrongly. After taking a much longer route and feeling discouraged, Sammy finally makes it to Panama.

Hanna’s Comments: I love it when authors put maps in their books! This book has a great map in the back that shows you Sammy’s route, the route warblers regularly take, and the location of the creatures he meets along the way. You may want to refer to the map as you read. You’ll also find a list of facts about each creature and a section on how animals migrate. Adults joke about women being more willing to ask for directions than men, but truthfully asking for help is not a bad thing, especially if you do so of someone who is invested in you. If you view this book as a metaphor for personal journeys, spiritual or otherwise, this book offers opportunities to talk about being steadfast, interdependent, and vulnerable, while also gleaning wisdom from mentors in your faith community. Consider connecting this book to stories in the Bible with characters who are lost or misguided; thankfully, there are plenty of those very human characters. 

Publisher & Date of Publication:  Owl Kids Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10); look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4); do not neglect to do good and to share what you have (Hebrews 13:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Our church sends a mission team to Panama each summer. This book was recently used in a children’s program about the mission team’s expected journey and purposes. Whenever a team from your faith community goes to another part of the world, consider using picture books about the location to teach your children about what your faith community is doing elsewhere and why.

PBT Techniques #8 - Adapt for a Play

Now and then I read a book with illustrations that I think do the book a disservice. Below I’m featuring one of those books and giving you ideas about using this book’s great content in a different way.

Picture Book: The Want Monsters: And How They                                          Stopped Ruling My World

Author & Illustrator: Chelo Manchego 

Summary: Want Monsters just want to make people happy. The little guy in the illustration below explains that his Want Monster, Oskar, motivates him do GOOD things, but lately Oskar has gone a little crazy! 

He wants four cupcakes, not one. The narrator gives in 

and gets sick which leads to a lot of time in the bathroom! Oskar has grown some extra thumbs. He spends too much time playing games in front of a screen. 

Now the little guy's high fives hurt! 

 The desire for attention gives Oskar a crown, but

when the boy gets too much attention, no one else wants to be around him! 

Oscar gives the boy a flower with a caterpillar in it; the boy asks the caterpillar if he too has a Want Monster. 

The caterpillar explains that eating is already all he wants to do, 

but that is the way of caterpillars so they can become butterflies. 

He suggests that the boy tell Oskar "no." 

 

That won't always work so just let "Oskar be Oskar."  

When our narrator had ice cream the next day, Oskar insisted on the whole carton, but the boy stood up to him. 

Oskar tantrumed, the boy ignored, and both forgot about the want of ice cream. When the best video game ever, "Zombies Ate My Teachers" came out, both were happy. 

But when "Zombies Ate My Teachers TWO" came out just 10 days later, Oskar insisted that another trip to the video store was in order.

The boy explained that you can have too much of a video game. Besides, new games come out all the time and don't keep them happy for very long. 

Oskar tantrumed, but both eventually forgot about that particular want.  

When they saw a girl win a big contest on TV, Oskar got jealous and wanted his boy to win a contest on TV, but the boy responded, "We can't have everything we want." Oskar tantrumed. Eventually, Oskar forgot. Eventually, Oskar got much smaller. 

Renamed, Oskarcito, he is being trained to want things that make everyone feel good, like kindness and sharing. 

Everyone wants those and feels good afterwards!

Hanna’s Comments: The ideas in this book offer great potential for meaningful conversation with elementary-aged children about greed, gluttony, anger, and difficult relationships. Convert this story into a simple play that your kids act out. They will relate and be able to easily act out these emotions and respond to these situations. In fact, have your children help you write the play. You might want to have some of your girls help write a character who tells about how girls struggle with Want Monsters. Expand it even further by including some of their parents Want Monsters too! Be sure to cast kids for human and Want Monster characters. The best learning happens when we are synthesizing information. That means we take various aspects of what we have learned, combine, and make something new. Writing and producing a play about this book might be a great tool for making a difference in these issues that hit at the heart of modern family dynamics.

Original Publisher & Date: Shambhala, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. (Psalm 78:18); A greedy man stirs up strife. (Proverbs 28:25); Take care and be on your guard for covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. (Luke 12:15); You are God’s holy temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17); Their god is their belly…with their minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:19); Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5); Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation…The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:9-10); The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in posessions – is not from God but is from the world. (1 John 2:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book as a basis for a play that your children act out. Connect the issues in this book to some of the many scripture verses about greed and gluttony.  

PBT Redux Series #2

Here’s the second book I’m offering as a part of my PBT Redux Series in which I re-post (with a little editing) an earlier post about a particularly good picture book that was published in the last few years. The books in this series are treasures with so much potential for ministry! 

Picture Book: Beautiful Oops!

Author & Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg

Summary: Mistakes are celebrated in this interactive book full of folds, stains, holes, tears, tabs, drips, and even a paper wad. This picture book’s ingenious design has readers helping to transform the various mistakes into fun possibilities. The first pages declare that an “oops” (mistake) is just the beginning. Then we are encouraged to help the author find the potential in all sorts of oops, demonstrating that oops can be seen as wonderful opportunities.

Hanna’s Comments: Underneath the fun of this book are messages of grace, self-forgiveness, and hope. Although here the idea of transforming our mistakes is delivered with a clever and light tone, between the lines is encouragement to accept that our mistakes are inevitable and at times fun to alter. How we respond to our mistakes is what counts. Because this is a board book, you might want to demonstrate the story with some mistake-ridden artwork yourself. However, if you do this, be sure to give Barney Satzberg the credit he deserves. If your audience is able, allow them to make some mistakes and then transform them into something new. God’s grace and providence abound in this wonderful book.

Publisher & Date of Publication:  Workman, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Youtube.com has a video of the author demonstrating the art concepts underlying the book which is mentioned but not read. There are also amateur readings of the book on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Post 2K

Scripture Connections and Idea(s) for Application: Grace is such a multifaceted and abstract concept. It’s hard for adults to comprehend, much less children. My husband wrote a summer arts camp curriculum for elementary children based on this book. He was able to connect 4 Bible Stories with 4 of this book’s categories of oops and then tell each story’s message of grace. Here they are: Joseph in the pit (hole), the Demoniac on the rocks (torn), the Prodigal Son with the pigs (stained), and Jesus’ tears of blood in the Garden (drip). Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about this curriculum. The kids loved it! 

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children #9

Illustration from Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg

The ninth entry in this series of simple statements that you can say while reading the particular books below involves the heart of God’s love and Jesus’ mission.

There are many secular books for young children that involve a poor decision and end in forgiveness and mercy. While reading one of these books, simply say or paraphrase, “All bad choices can be forgiven. God/Jesus loves us no matter what we do.”

The first PBT offering is a great story about 3 young bears who live by the sea. When they accidentally break their mom’s prized blue shell, they naively venture off in a boat to find a replacement.

They encounter several sea vessels with interesting characters that seem to have some familiar literary or artistic significance. See how this crew of characters is in a boat named Melville? 

I assume this is a tip of the author/illustrator's hat to Moby Dick. I didn’t get all the allusions, but I sure enjoyed puzzling over them. This is not for your children to do however. Back to the story…

When told by a sea captain where to find such a shell, they venture off to “an island shaped like a lumpy hat.” Before they leave he explains, “if you look in the right place, I reckon you’ll find it.”

They pass a number of interesting islands and have some memorable experiences, eventually making it to their island destination. However, after looking high and low, no shell is found. 

They return to their boat, grumpy, disappointed, and missing home. Then the blaming begins. 

Meanwhile, a storm comes and tosses them so that they no longer care about blame. Instead they confess while clinging to each other for safety.  

The storm ceases, and they see their home island ahead. As they pull their boat onto shore, they find a beautiful blue shell. Home was the right place after all. 

Mama greets them at the door with a face and posture all little bears fear, but they confess and offer her the new shell. 

Forgiveness, hugs, kisses, supper (but no dessert) provide the happy ending you and your children will desire for these 3 little bears.

Besides the great story with simple but profound lessons, this is a really big book with many beautiful double page illustrations so it’s perfect for reading to a group.

Picture Book: Three Bears in a Boat

Author & Illustrator: David Soman

Original Publisher & Date: Dial, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

My other PBT offering that connects to this statement is from the Curious George series. Keep in mind that many Curious George books would connect to this statement for he does have a way of making a mess of things, but loving forgiveness often ends George’s adventures.

In this Curious George episode, he is invited to a pizza party. Since George loves parties and pizza, he is especially excited. 

The man with the yellow hat reminds George to be on his best behavior before sending George on to the party.

Upon arrival, each child and George is given an apron, chef’s hat, and a piece of dough to make his own pizza. While the children leave the room to play Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza, George stays in the kitchen since he’s curious about the pieces of dough. 

He gathers all the children’s dough together and begins making a giant pizza.

A mess ensues and George realizes he should have left the dough in the original small pieces so he gets scissors and cuts the dough into shapes.

Eventually the mom discovers the mess and threatens to send George home, but the children like the idea of making uniquely shaped dough and help him clean up so that he can stay. 

The children are inspired to make various shaped pizzas of their own and even the mom is thankful to George for the great-looking pizzas.

Curious George is a great character to help children connect with their life in God because George is delightfully innocent and troublesome, kind of like most children, and redemption, in some form, always follows.

Here at PBT I offered another Curious George book (Curious George Saves His Pennies) and tied it to faith concepts of stewardship and generosity. Find that post [here].

Picture Book: Curious George and the Pizza Party

Author: Cynthia Platt

Illustrated in the Style of H.A. Rey by Mary O’Keefe Young

Original Publisher & Date: HMH, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, downloadable audio

Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:

When Sophie Gets Really, Really Angry - 6/3/14

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse - 6/23/14    

Beautiful Oops! - 8/12/14

I Love You, Stinky Face - 9/3/14

Rainbow Fish - 12/3/14

You are Not My Friend But I Miss You - 1/16/15

It's Okay to Make Mistakes - 1/4/16   

Too Tall Houses – 3/22/16

Virgil and Owen series (2 bks) – 4/5/16

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children #5

Illustration from When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

The 5^th PBT theological statement for young children is: Feelings are not good or bad. What matters is how you act on your feelings.

For this post I’m offering lots of books for young children about feelings. Because there are so many, I’ll not go into detail about each book. Instead I’ll tell you how they are unique or particularly beneficial for young children to experience. Also, I might suggest a way to use the book.

Illustration from When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Then I’ll list the PBT books that I have already posted on this blog. My favorites of all are the 2 Molly Bang books which I posted about earlier this year on February 12, 2016. The two illustrations above and the one below give you a little taste of the quality of these books. A range of emotions are dealt with here, not just anger as the title of the first one might indicate. 

Being able to identify and put labels on feelings is a crucial first step for children (and adults!) to understand them. Then talk about appropriate ways and inappropriate ways to express their feelings. Everyone benefits when children (and adults!) can do this and then learn to work through their feelings appropriately. 

The first PBT book I offer is part of a series called The Way I Feel Books. There is a Note to Parents at the beginning and the multiple situations are very young child oriented. Besides this book in the series, the titles I found are listed next. There are lots of PBT possibilities in this series! All have the same initial author.

When I Feel Sad

When I Feel Jealous

When I Feel Worried

When I Feel Scared

When I Miss You

When I Feel Good about Myself

When I Care about Others

Picture Book: When I Feel Angry

Author: Cornelia Maude Spelman

Illustrator: Nancy Cote

Original Publisher & Date: Whitman & Co., 2000

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

The next offering is a new book that’s great for encouraging adults to tell children that they too struggle with controlling their actions when they have strong feelings. This book’s text and illustrations use lots of fun similes such as “stubborn as a mule” or “clumsy as an ox” and emphasize that everyone (even adults!) feels these ways sometimes.

Picture Book: Wild Feelings

Author & Illustrator: David Milgrim

Original Publisher & Date: Holt & Co., 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis writes a wonderful selection of books that children really enjoy. On 12/4/14 I featured on PBT Is There Really a Human Race? Remember to look up earlier PBT posts by going to the Archive files on the right side bar. Click on the year and month. Then use the tabs at the bottom to go to newer posts or older posts. I have over 400 books on this blog for your benefit!

Curtis’ book about feelings has a girl’s point of view so some boys may not appreciate it. Girls will absolutely love it though! Cornell’s illustrations are very fun and full of details.

Picture Book: Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day

Author: Jamie Lee Curtis

Illustrator: Laura Cornell

Original Publisher & Date: Harper Collins, 1998

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

Several times here at PBT, I’ve mentioned Todd Parr’s brightly colored and simply perfect books for young children. Note that there is a board book version of this feelings book and it has a set of corresponding Feelings Flashcards that you can purchase on Amazon.

Picture Book: The Feelings Book

Author & Illustrator: Todd Parr

Original Publisher & Date: Little, Brown, & Co. 2000

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

This next book is quite old but not dated. It has lots of detailed illustrations and small text. You may want to read this book over a series of experiences and with a small number of children to allow them to see the illustrations and talk with you about their own feelings and experiences. Aliki (Aliki Brandenberg) has several other great books for young children including one on manners, one on growing, and one on hands. Her illustrations are often the jewels of her books.

Picture Book: Feelings

Author & Illustrator: Aliki

Original Publisher & Date: William Morrow & Co., 1984

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

The next feelings book offers wonderful and large illustrations over a series of situations and feelings with different children. There’s a companion book by another author but still illustrated by Janan Cain called The Way I Act.

Picture Book: The Way I Feel

Author & Illustrator: Janan Cain

Original Publisher & Date: Parenting Press, 2000

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

This book began as lyrics to a song written by award winning children’s recording artist, Laurie Berkner. My version has a CD inside the book. The illustrations are fun, and it’s about accepting all sorts of feelings. The score and text to 4 verses are in the back of the book.

Picture Book: The Story of My Feelings

Author: Laurie Berkner  

Illustrator: Caroline Jayne Church

Original Publisher & Date: Orchard Books, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

The last two books are both by Mo Willems, a favorite picture book author and illustrator. I offer one from each of his two popular series for young children. His books are more about the characters and plot than the teaching of feelings so you’ll have to offer your own instruction in the context of the characters’ feelings. Be sure to point out all characters’ feelings and note how they change as plots develop. The first comes in a board book version.

Picture Book: The Pigeon Has Feelings Too!

Author & Illustrator: Mo Willems

Original Publisher & Date: Hyperion, 2005

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Picture Book: My Friend is Sad

Author & Illustrator: Mo Willems

Original Publisher & Date: Hyperion, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:

When Sophie Gets Angry… - 6/3/14

When Sophie’s Feelings… - 2/12/16        

Bear Has a Story to Tell - 6/22/14

Words are Not for Hurting - 2/16/15