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 211

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Way Home

Author & Illustrator: Libby Hathorn

Summary: Shane, a young adolescent boy, finds a stray cat and decides to take it home. He tucks the cat into his jacket snuggly and heads through dark streets, alleys, and other dangerous parts of a big city. They peek into restaurants, are chased by a gang of boys, and encounter a dog. Throughout the entire journey, Shane assures the cat, who he calls a series of clever names, that there is lots of milk at his home. When they reach Shane’s home, the reader is somewhat surprised to see Shane crawl under a fence and into a corner of an alley, declaring the entire time, “It’s ok now. You’re safe. Here we are. We’re home.”

Hanna’s Comments: This 2^nd PBT Dynamic Duo demonstrates how hospitality and comforting others, even in such humble circumstances, can be practiced. Shane’s constant reassurance to the cat is so moving, particularly in hindsight, as you realize that he is probably engaging in some self-calming. The dangers are ever present throughout the journey home. I began to suspect Shane was homeless towards the end of the story, but for some it will be a big surprise. Note the age appropriateness of this book. It is quite dark, visually and in its tone and subject matter. One of my church’s minister’s is experiencing the favelas of Rio de Janeiro this week, stacks upon stacks of slums that press up to some of most luxurious homes in the world. She is blogging about her journey, sharing photographs and writing about her experiences. It is mind blowing for those of us who live snug in our homes with our needs met. Too many children live in circumstances like Shane’s, alone, out in the elements, without access to basic needs or adults who care. No surprise that the possibility of relating to any living thing, especially another creature in need, offers hope and purpose. Her blog address is http://stephaniearnold.blogspot.com.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1994

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up

# of Pages: 30

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, anxiety/worry, bravery/courage, brokenness, challenges, comfort, commitment, companionship, darkness/evening/night, difficulties, exclusion/inclusion, exile/separation/walls, fear, found, gentleness/meekness, hiding/isolation, home, homelessness, insecurity, loneliness, neglect, neighbors, orphans, outsiders, perseverance, possessions, poverty, safety, safe place/sanctuary, social justice, survival, wilderness  

Scripture Connections: Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17); whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me (Matthew 18:5); whoever has (clothing or food) is to share with him who has none (Luke 3:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this to a group of older elementary or junior high students as you explore issues of homelessness, social justice or urban hunger and your faith community’s response to such issues.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 149

Picture Book: The Friend

Author: Sarah Stewart

Illustrator: David Small

Summary: This beautiful book in verse is the story of a fair and quirky preschooler, Belle,  who lives in a mansion by the sea with her mostly absent parents and a black housekeeper/caregiver, Bea, who watches over her daily while doing chores. They head to the beach to play at the end of most days. One day, Belle heads to the beach on her own. Bea senses her absence and frantically runs to the beach just in time to save her. At the end, we see an adult Belle looking out to sea and remembering her loving caregiver.

Hanna’s Comments: I especially loved this book when I first read it because of Bea’s character. I saw both a Christ-like and feminine God quality to her loving care and guardianship of Belle. This is a wonderful book for expanding children’s or adult’s views of God as more than masculine or white. The dedication in the back is especially poignant: "To all the people across the world who have saved the lives of children by paying attention when others did not - but especially to Ola Beatrice Smith." This kind of personal tribute makes this story that much more powerful.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2004

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio CD, The video on Youtube.com is from Described and Captioned Media, meaning that this video is adapted for those who are visually impaired.

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, affirmation, attentiveness/observation/seeing, babies/children, beach/ocean/pond/river/sea/shore, beauty, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, call/calling/vocation, caring/tending, commitment, companionship, creation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, danger, dependence/interdependence, differences, disobedience/obedience, encouragement, the environment/nature, equality/inequality, family, found, friend/friendship, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s presence, God’s will, goodness, grace, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, heroes, home, image of God, intercession, Jesus, kindness, labor/work, love, mothers, neglect, nurturing, parables/stories, parental love, patience, play, presence, protecting/protection, race relations/racism, relationships, rescue, safety, savior/saving, servant hood/service/serving, steadfastness, survival, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4); Let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14); For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people (Titus 2:11); We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19)

Idea(s) for Application: The love of our creator is so vast that we have to try to understand it through metaphor and human forms. This picture book offers a rich image of a loving and sensitive caretaker and protector. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 132

Picture Book: But Not the Hippopotamus

Author & Illustrator: Sandra Boynton

Summary: Boynton is famous for her whimsical animal characters, but they are not so nice in this book. “A dog and a frog do a dance in the bog. But not the hippopotamus.” Sadly the hippopotamus is left out of all sorts of fun activities. The story and illustrations never reveal why. Finally, the animals decide to “hurry out for a jog” and then think to come back for … “Yes, the hippopotamus!”

Hanna’s Comments: This may be a silly, simple book, but it packs a punch of relevant meaning. Children struggle with in-group vs. out-group issues in their homes, schools, and religious communities. Talk with your children about the heartaches (and joys) of cliques and informal groups with this fun book. In a comical context, your kids may be more willing to honestly confess to this common human behavior and allow you to discuss how exclusivity and inclusivity fit into your faith values. Don’t hesitate to model a little confessing on your own. Sometimes your confessions are what children are most likely to find meaningful and remember.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Little Simon Books, 1982

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

# of Pages: 14

Available in Spanish? Not at Present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Pre 2k

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, belonging, body of Christ, disappointment, exclusion/inclusion, exile/separation, friends/friendship, God’s will, golden rule/great commandment, hospitality, injustice, integration, loneliness, neglect, outsiders, participation, pleasing God/the Shema, prejudice, segregation, sin, social justice

Scripture Connections: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. All are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Idea(s) for Application: Jesus ministered to a great number of outsiders (women, lepers, Gentiles, tax collectors, Samaritans…). Use this book when discussing one of these stories or Jesus’ tendency to include.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 124

Picture Book: Little Flower: A Journey of Caring

Author: Laura McAndrew

Illustrator: Nancy Conrad

Summary: Little Flower is a potted daisy whose home is on a kitchen window ledge. Too often, Little Flower’s family forgets to care for her. What she wishes most is for someone to spend time with her and love her.  When her family leaves on a trip, they say goodbye and promise to see her again soon. Little Flower becomes more lonely, scared, sad, and unhealthy. She even begins to feel shame and fears they left her because she has been a bad flower. Despite her shame, when a robin discovers her and asks if she is ok, Little Flower bravely says no and explains. The robin promises to go for help. A “nice woman” brings a police officer to enter the house. The nice woman explains to Little Flower, “Some people haven’t learned how to give flowers what they need. I will help the people you live with learn how to care for flowers. But until they learn that, you need to live in a place where other people can give you what you need.” Then she takes Little Flower to another home where a family begins to properly and lovingly take care of the daisy.   

Hanna’s Comments: This book was given to my family several years ago when we began doing emergency foster care. As an extended metaphor for too many foster children who are neglected and forgotten by their families, it is very powerful and offers specific concepts that can be helpful. We used this book to help my 2 young children understand why the foster children were coming into our homes temporarily. In the back is a list of activities to do after reading to encourage children to process the concepts and emotions of this story.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Child Welfare League of America, 1999

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adoption, anxiety/worry, babies/children, belonging, brokenness, caring/tending, care of creation, challenges, community, dependence/interdependence, difficulties, disappointment, drink/thirst, dying, family, found, flowers/leaves/trees, fruit/fruit of the spirit, healing/healthcare, hiding/isolation/walls, hope, insecurity, intercession, loneliness, love, neglect, new home/relocation, nurturing, orphans, outreach, parables/stories, patience, perseverance, poverty, prisons/prisoners, renewal/restoration, rescue, resurrection, waiting, water

Scripture Connections: Bring justice to the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17); whoever welcomes a child in my name welcomes me (Matthew 18:5); let the children come to me (Mark 10:13-16)

Idea(s) for Application: This book also lends itself well as a metaphor for taking in abandoned or abused animals. Consider using this book in your faith community when talking about welcoming and caring for any of God’s creatures in your home.