PBT Stories Series #1: My North Star

Meet Stickeen from the picture book named after him. See details below. 

This is the first of a new PBT Series about stories that have inspired PBT or happened during a PBT lesson. Today I’m going to share the story of how I knew I was supposed to do this work, work I do for you so please show your gratitude by buying me a picture book via a PayPal donation. A typical picture book is $15.  I would love to own more picture books though maybe not as many as Elizabeth Brown whose story I feature [here].

From The Library by Stewart & Small

In 2013-14 I was part of The Academy for Spiritual Formation, an Upper Room program in which about 50 people spend 40 days together over 2 years. It is a program I highly recommend. Learn more about it [here]. Participants are asked to do a 2^nd year service project. I wanted to do something that began a vocational journey using my training as a school psychologist, involving my passion for spirituality, and helping to build the church, though not quite like the mother in this great picture book posted about [here].

I had often mentioned secular picture books to our children’s minister when she asked me about programming ideas so I wondered if there was an untapped treasure for ministry in secular books. I knew of many books that offered potential, but I wasn’t sure how prevalent they were. She had asked me to teach a lesson on friendship and the story of Ruth and Naomi so I decided to give my idea a little test. I went to my library of picture books (relatively small then), thought about Ruth and Naomi’s friendship, and considered each book. I saw a little potential in about 10 of them.

I read 8 books or so and saw no promise, but then I picked up Stickeen. I was startled by a particular sentence which I have in bold below where I offer my initial post. These words directly correspond to Ruth’s words to Naomi, “But Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go;’” (Ruth 1:16). Oh, the goose bumps! The spiritual kind that reminds me that God is in every moment! Suddenly my lesson was planned and 3 days later it was very successful. The beauty of the illustrations in Stickeen even added to the spirituality of the lesson. Often illustrations make PBT lessons even more meaningful and memorable.

First I had the 3^rd & 4^th graders act out the Bible story once I gave them the context. As they moved through the room, we talked about the characters' feelings. Then I sat them in a close circle, reminded them how in school they find connections between stories, and asked them to do just that as I read the picture book. They easily saw the verbal connection and many more. They really enjoyed the story, especially our urban children who had never heard such a story or seen such glorious places. 

Then we talked about how friends are devoted and helpful and tied those ideas to our relationship with God and the relationship between Muir and Stickeen.

Easy peasy! Offering such meaningful connections and rich learning is the heart of PBT. I makes sense that a book about a dog in the arctic could be my north star! I’ve been following it ever since. Here's my initial post.

Picture Book: Stickeen 

Author: John Muir, as retold by Donnell Rubay 
Illustrator: Christopher Canyon 
Summary: John Muir, one of America’s great explorers and environmentalists, tells the story of an arctic adventure he had with a companion's dog, Stickeen, who was determined to go out exploring with him on a treacherous day. By the end of the excursion, both are glad to be together. Muir loved telling this story.
Hanna’s Comments: This book is the perfect example of secular literature connecting with scripture. In the story, John Muir says of Stickeen as he shouts for the dog to go back to camp, “He simply stood in the wind, drenched and blinking as if to say, ‘Where you go, I will go.’” These are words Ruth says to Naomi in the book of Ruth. There are several publications of Muir’s story, so choose this version for the direct connection to Ruth. Additionally, it is a great story of exploration, survival, and the bonds between humans and dogs. 
Publisher & Date of Publication: Dawn Pubris, 1998 
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1st and up 
Formats other than Book: None at present 
Scripture Connections: Ruth 1 (particularly vs. 16) 
Idea(s) for Application: I recently used this book for a Sunday School lesson on Ruth & Naomi. It was so easy to plan, and the kids loved it. We simply acted out the Bible story. Then I read Stickeen while the children interrupted me with the connections they heard. 

Worship & Picture Books That Would Please MLK

It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the states. To honor this man and the strides we have made in Birmingham, my church, First United Methodist, and Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, worshiped together yesterday. The music and message were so inspiring. I was especially moved when MLK’s I Have a Dream speech was recited by various congregants from both churches.

We have come a long way in downtown Birmingham and in my church where African American children and adults are beloved members and involved in planning and worship. Dr. King once said, “it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning.” If only he could have been present to witness the love and joy in our sanctuary yesterday and in the reception afterwards where we enjoyed one another.

Today’s books are offered in memory of Dr. King who I believe would have enjoyed reading them to his children.

The first book is a celebration of the ingenuity, determination and faith of pilot James Banning & mechanic Thomas Allen, the first African Americans to fly across the US. Despite the hardships of the Great Depression and the limits of segregation, these 2 men repaired a rundown plane. Friends, family, and people they met along the journey from Los Angeles to Harlem signed their names on the wings in exchange for food, supplies, and fuel. This story is a testament to what community, bravery, and perseverance can achieve.

The illustrations here are dazzling! You feel like you are riding beside them and you see some highlights of American geographical beauty. Children will especially love to hear that when it got really hot, the men rode in just their underwear! Be careful not to assume only African American children would enjoy this story, and please don’t set it aside because it is not February, Black History Month. You’ll find a Note from the Author who is amazed that he didn’t know more of this story since he is a student and teacher of history. He explains that the book is fiction but based on historical record.

The theological connections here are obvious. Both men say “Hallelujah!” when touching down safely and when lifting off the dirt of particularly racist locales. This flight could easily be connected to Biblical stories such as the journeys of the Israelites in the Wilderness, Jesus & his disciples, or Paul and other missionaries.

Picture Book: The Hallelujah Flight

Author: Phil Bildner

Illustrator: John Holyfield

Original Publisher & Date: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

The other book I offer today has significantly more text, reads at a much higher level, and would be perfect for a private school or homeschool that is studying Christian perseverance or American heroes.

I confess I had not heard of Howard Thurman until I was in my 40s despite the influence he had on so many Christian theologians and ministers, including Dr. King who he mentored. 

Here we read Howard Thurmon’s life as having a continual thirst for knowledge, intellectual achievement, and opportunity. Despite living in segregated Daytona, Florida where there was one school for African Americans and it went only through 7^th grade, Howard did become highly educated. His intelligence and passion for learning encouraged those who met him to facilitate his education. He became an influential theologian, minister, advocate for civil rights, and Dean of the Chapel at both Howard University and Boston College.

The most pivotal moment in this story occurs when Howard’s dreams are almost derailed by an unexpected expense at a railroad station while he was traveling out of town to attend a private high school. An African American bystander in overalls gives Howard the coins he needs to continue his journey.

Like the PBT book above, this book is a testament to the value of a spiritual journey and the support of community. In the story you’ll find phrases from Howard’s mother and grandmother that offer much in the way of theological discussion. They are:

God will take care.

Make a way, dear Lord, make a way.

God had made a way.

Picture Book: Howard Thurman’s Great Hope

Author: Kai Jackson Issa

Illustrator: Arthur L. Dawson

Original Publisher & Date: Lee and Low Books, 2008

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 325

Picture Book: The Cats in Krasinski Square

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Summary: The cats of the title are the abandoned cats left after the Jews are placed in Warsaw, Poland’s ghetto during Nazi occupation. The young female narrator, who enjoys petting the cats, struggles to survive on the free side of the wall. She and her sister have managed to escape the ghetto. With other rebels, they get food to their starving friends behind the walls. Because she watches the cats, the narrator knows the openings in the wall where food can be passed. News comes that Resistance Fighters are arriving on trains with smuggled food stashed in their bags for those behind the wall. But The Gestapo knows of the plan and will be waiting with dogs to sniff out the food. The narrator has a clever counter move. They lure into baskets as many cats as possible, take the closed baskets to the train station, and spread out. Once the train arrives, The Gestapo releases their dogs. Before the dogs can find the hidden food, they are distracted by the many cats that have been let loose. Chaos ensues and those with hidden food are able to flee and quickly pass their food through or over the ghetto walls.

Hanna’s Comments: I like the way this story is written so that a very dark and scary situation is told in a light manner that even young children can handle and enjoy. The suffering Jews behind the wall are only seen from afar. The illustrations are beautiful and help the subject seem less intense than reality. The political and religious issues are not in the narrative so you can avoid those difficult topics if you prefer or expand on them if that suits your purposes and is age appropriate. In the end papers, you’ll find an Author’s Note and a Historical Note.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2004 

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Post 2k

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, adaptation/assimilation, animals, bonds/connections, bravery/courage, caring/tending, challenges, chaos/disorder, commitment, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, cruelty, danger, dependence/interdependence, enemies, Europe, evil, exile/separation/walls, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, helping, heroes, injustice, leadership/servant leadership, mission, obstacles, outreach, partners/teamwork, poverty, power, prisons/prisoners, rebellion, risking, secrets, social justice, surprise

Scripture Connections: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6); a righteous person knows the rights of the poor (Proverbs 29:7); let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24); …do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8); as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary students who are about to engage in an outreach project involving feeding the poor or to supplement a lesson on the social justice issue of access to healthy food.   

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 307

Picture Book: Wall

Author & Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole

Summary: This is a dark but beautiful story about the Berlin Wall. When the wall goes up, the narrator’s father is in West Berlin and therefore separated from his family. The mother consoles her son by telling him that his father’s life is likely better than theirs. The boy witnesses others’ attempts to cross over. Some are clever, lucky, and successful. Others who try to cross are caught and shot. The boy is determined to risk it so he begins digging a tunnel near the wall in a field. On the night when they try to cross over, they are confronted by a guard who becomes sympathetic after seeing the father’s photo. He allows them to continue. They arrive in West Berlin and find the father just as he is about to enter a tunnel he has been digging to reach them.

Hanna’s Comments: This book was written in response to the 25^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and is based on true stories of successful crossings. You may want to gather some historical information on the wall to give this book more context before reading it. There are not many words here so make sure your audience can easily see the compelling illustrations. You may have to explain them, and more than one copy of the book may be required. When discussing the book, focus on the love between the father and his family. Emphasize that no circumstances, would have been able to diminish the love that this family had for one another. Talk about how they were willing and compelled to work hard and risk everything to be together again.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Templar Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, belonging, bonds/connections, bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, choices/decisions, commitment, danger, difficulties, Europe, evil, exclusion/inclusion, exile/separation/walls, family, fathers, fear, freedom, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, love, obstacles, perseverance, risking

Scripture Connections: Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults when talking about love, the kind of love that we have in our families which is inspired by God’s love for us. Despite difficult circumstances and long separations, love often strengthens and makes us even more determined to be together.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 246

Picture Book: Lightship

Author & Illustrator: Brian Floca

Summary: Anchored on waters where lighthouses could not be built, lightships served similar purposes, offering beacons of light, loud horns, and radio signals warning passing ships of rocks, shoals, reefs, or shipwrecks. This picture book offers specific details about what life was like for lightship sailors as they held their one sure spot so that other, much larger vessels, would be safe as they passed. Illustrations and text offer details of the compartments and equipment of a lightship and the varying atmospheric conditions, particularly the close quarters and the sometimes dangerous rendezvous with ships. An interesting historical note in the back will offer more detailed material. The end papers have a fascinating cross-section drawing of the layout of a particular lightship that inspired this illustrator's drawings. That lightship is now docked in New York City.

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a fun book! Most of us know about lighthouses, but who knew about lightships! Encourage your audience to look for the cat in most of the illustrations. Consider what it must have been like for the sailors to be isolated so long, stuck in the waters and vulnerable to the weather and the huge ships that they were there to protect. There are lots of possibilities for conversation and connections to scripture here.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Antheneum Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: America, beach/ocean/pond/river/sea/shore, bravery/courage, call/calling/vocation, challenges, commitment, communication, danger, dependence/interdependence, difficulties, directions/maps, geography, God’s nature, helping, heroes, hiding/isolation, heroes, labor/work, light/morning, loneliness, obstacles, protecting/protection, purpose, risking, rocks/shells/stones, safety, storms, unity, waiting, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105); let your light shine before others. (Matthew 5:16); the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5); I am the light of the world. (John 8:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book for an interesting lesson on light. Make connections between the light of the lightships and the various kinds of light in the Holy Scriptures. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 94

Picture Book: Banjo Granny

Author: Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustrator: Barry Root

Summary: This picture book is a delightful tall tale. A banjo-playing granny is determined to see her grandbaby, Owen. She has heard he especially wiggles to bluegrass music. Even rivers, mountains, and deserts won’t deter her to play bluegrass for him in person. He hears from the birds that she’s coming so he patiently awaits her while she uses her magical music to overcome the many obstacles and make her way to her youngest fan.  

Hanna’s Comments: This book is a hoot! All children should have a granny who loves them so. See the music and lyrics to Owen’s Song in the front of the book, and in the back find the author’s note about the beginnings of bluegrass music.

Publisher & Date of Publication: HMH, 2006

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre 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: abilities, action, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, art, babies/children, belonging, bonds/connections, call/calling/vocation, challenges, choir/music/singing/songs, commitment, desert, exile/separation, family, gifts/giftedness/talents, grandparents, heroes, journeys/pilgrimages/migration/quests, joy, land/mountains, love, miracles, mission, obstacles, passion, perseverance, presence, problems/problems solving, purpose, sharing, steadfastness, travel, waiting, water, wilderness

Scripture Connections: the Israelites escape Egypt through sea, desert, & mountains (Book of Exodus); nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a homeschool/religious school literature lesson on tall tales. Then talk about your religious beliefs regarding the power of love.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 85

Terrific Trio: Book 3

Picture Book: The Busiest Street in Town         

Author: Mara Rockliff

Illustrator: Sarah McMenemy

Summary: Rushmore Boulevard, where Agatha May Walker lives, is the busiest street in town. When she attempts to visit Eulalie Scruggs, who lives on the other side of Rushmore, the traffic won’t allow her to cross.  Determined to reclaim her street, Agatha parks a chair in the middle of the street. To appease the drivers, she brings her homemade ginger snaps, initially intended for Eulalie. Soon her friend joins her with a card table and a Parcheesi set. Their version of passive resistance works, and soon passersby are stopping for a chat and a cookie. Meanwhile, other neighbors join in, sharing their gifts. Eventually, Rushmore is so transformed that it is given a new name: Walker Road.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the 3^rd book in the PBT Terrific Trio featuring books in which communities become more engaged due to unforeseen circumstances. This is the most ridiculous of the 3 though it is quite charming and funny. You get the sense that these two women want the whole world to stop by for a chat and a ginger snap. If only we could!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Knopf, 2009

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, aging, belonging, bonds/connections, bravery/courage, challenges, change, choices/decisions, commitment, communication, community, companionship, difficulties, disabilities/handicaps/limitations,  home, image of God, intercession, joy, leadership/servant leadership, mission, neighbors, neighborhood, non-violence/peaceful resistance, obstacles, participation, power, presence, problems/problem solving, purpose, rebellion, renewal/restoration, risking, Sabbath, sacrifice, safety, satisfaction, surprise, tolerance, transformation, treasure, unity

Scripture Connections: scriptures about the Sabbath 

Idea(s) for Application: All 3 of these Terrific Triplet books could be used in a lesson on Sabbath.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 66

 Picture Book: Knots on a Counting Rope

Authors: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault

Illustrator: Ted Rand   

Summary: A Native American boy begs his grandfather to tell the story of the boy’s birth once again. Through prompting, the birth story and more are told: During a wind storm, the boy was born sickly & blind, but a pair of horses seemed to give him strength so he was named Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses at his naming ceremony. When a foal was born, it was given to the boy so he learned to swiftly ride through the trails despite his blindness. In a horse race, the boy and his horse do not win, but many spectators are amazed. At the end of the book, you learn that each knot in the rope represents a re-telling of the story until the boy can tell it himself.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a complicated but beautiful story that illustrates several themes: the loving bonds across generations, the importance of owning our origin stories, the power in a name, and the resilience of those who courageously adapt to their limitations. This would be a powerful story for grandparents to read to their grandchildren before sharing birth/origin stories. Faith and scripture stories could easily follow.                     

Publisher & Date Published: Holt & Company, 1987 

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

# of Pages: 32                                                                                              

Available in Spanish? Not at present                                                         

Formats other than Book: Audio Cd, videos on Youtube (one version read by 2 professional actors)  

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, attentiveness/observation/seeing, birth/birthday, bravery/courage, challenges, darkness/evening/night, difficulties, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, grandparents, identity/names, listening, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, obstacles, parables/stories, perseverance, questioning/questions, reassurance, reflection

Scripture Connections: scripture stories in which a character is named or re-named; Saul becomes Paul (Acts 9) & Barnabus becomes his helper (Acts 13)

Idea(s) for Application: when teaching the importance of repeating faith stories such as at Passover or Eucharist/Communion

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 52

Picture Book: The Sandwich Swap

Author: Her Majesty the Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio 

Illustrator: Tricia Tusa

Summary: Suspicion about new food is the issue here. Despite Lilly and Salma’s mutual friendship, BFFs even, each girl is concerned about the kind of sandwich her friend eats for lunch. Lilly eats peanut butter and jelly. Salma eats hummus on pita. Eventually these doubts are expressed, feelings are hurt, anger bubbles to the top, other students choose sides, and a cafeteria food fight ensues. When they are called to the principal's office, feelings of shame surface. The next day at lunch, Lilly and Salma try each other’s sandwiches and are delightfully surprised and are inspired to have an international food event at school.

Hanna’s Comments: Sometimes something as small as a sandwich leads to poor assumptions and discrimination. This story demonstrates that being open to other’s differences and being willing to step into another’s shoes, can lead to new delights and stronger relationships. This story is based on the queen of Jordan's own experiences with a friend. This is explained in a great author’s note at the end.

Another book with a similar story is Yoko by Rosemary Wells. In this book, the criticized food Yoko initially takes to school is sushi. That's ironic! Sushi has become very popular since the book's publication in 1998.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Disney-Hyperion, 2010 

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: amateur Youtube videos, one very well done 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, choices/decisions, communion/Eucharist, conflict, differences, emotions/feelings, exploration, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, friends/friendship, grace, individuality/uniqueness, joy, jubilee, judgment/judges/judging, manna, obstacles, outsiders, pacifism/peace/peaceful/peacemakers/peaceable kingdom, pride, regret/repentance, respect, sharing

Scripture Connections: any scripture story in which a character is willing to accept differences in culture, Peter's dream about food (Acts 10:1-48), Gentiles versus Jews (Acts 15:7-9),  

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as a part of an Inter-religious Food Festival focusing on how various faiths use food in their rituals. Or read it in a lesson for children about judgement or forgiveness.