Godly Silence for Everyone

 

Picture Book: Shhh… God is in the Silence:                                                                     A Story for All Ages

Author: Fiona Basile

Illustrator: Alice Mount

Summary: This is a book of shushes and questions. Every page begins "Shhh... God is in the silence. Can you here him?" 

What follows is a series of statements declaring this ideas repeatedly:

God speaks to your heart, saying...

I love you.

You are precious.

There is no one else like you.

I created you.

You are mine.

I am with you always.

Next, it declares that God lives in your heart, and adds to the reassurances above: You are safe so rest little one.

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful book gets to the heart of what children and families need today: silence and a sense of God's presence. The subtitle declares this is a story (book) for all ages, and surely it is! 

If you prefer to avoid masculine language for God, simply change the text. Sticky notes are helpful for this. 

This book has its own website. Click: here to check it out. You can order the book, while finding activities and instructions on teaching children how to pray. These methods could easily be adapted for adults or teens. I especially liked this: Personal Noise Survey

Original Publisher & Date: Loyola  Press, 2016

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present, but there is a bilingual (Spanish & English) edition of the book.

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about silence, such as Psalm 46:10 (mentioned below) and Elijah's experience of God in the silence (1 Kings 19), connects strongly to this book.

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I listed this book in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum for a summer lesson in Year C (theme: Be Still) based on Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

PBT Applications: This book would be perfect to read to a group of parents of young children. You might want to leave out the "little one" endearment. Then have them brainstorm ways to be in relative silence with their children while modeling mindful experiences of God's presence. For young children, you may want to read only a few pages and show all the images. With each illustration, encourage their responses about God in those images. For teens, you may want to simply read the text since the images are of young children, but the questions are intriguing for any age.

If you are interested in learning about Trinity Treasures, a scripture-based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you fill out the monthly feedback form.

PBT Grab & Go #8 - Nova's Ark

Here's the latest book in my Grab & Go series. These are repeated posts about books that lend themselves to a super easy lesson because their content directly relates to biblical traditions or spiritual ideas.

Picture Book: Nova’s Ark 

Author & Illustrator: David Kirk

Summary: While playing with his family’s ancient treasure, a wooden ark and a set of wooden animals, Nova, a robot boy, misses his father who is on a space mission. Later, he accidentally rockets himself to a new planet (Nova is an engineering genius!) and uses his amazing talents to invent new mechanical animals to keep him company. After being reunited with his father who is injured, Nova & each animal sacrifice a component of their mechanics to save his father. Eventually father & son discover on this new planet the energy source that their planet desperately needs.

Hanna’s Comments: There is a great deal to talk about in this story. Encourage discussion among older listeners about connections between this tale and the biblical ark story. Ask about why this old story has various versions in cultures and media. What message does the old story (and this new one derived from images of that old story) have for us today? Younger listeners will simply enjoy the story and help you find connections to Genesis.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1999

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children, youth, or adults to explore the power and themes from the biblical story of Noah’s ark.

Touching Conversations

Picture Book: God Made All of Me:                                                                A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies

Author: Justin S. & Lindsay A. Holcomb

Illustrator: Trish Mahoney

Summary: This book begins with praise from 10 psychologists, child advocates, and theologians. Next comes a detailed letter to parents explaining the importance of the message inside. Here’s a startling fact:

 Scripture is sprinkled throughout the pages.

A story begins within the context of a traditional family with 2 very inquisitive children whose questions will encourage questions from the listeners. 

It seems the older child is very comfortable with these messages and has likely heard them before. This conversation is for the younger sister. 

Here’s the heart of the message which you’ll find in the letter to parents:

God made all of you. Every part of your body is good, and some parts are private. He made the parts of your body that other people see every day, and he made your private parts. Every part is good because God made every part and called them all good. 

I especially like the less significant message that says if you don’t want to be touched (even via a hug from a relative), that’s your choice. It should be respected.  

If you are touched anyway, tell parents, teachers, or doctors. When the child responds that these people are sometimes too busy, the children are instructed to "keep asking for help." 

Subjects like bath time and doctor visits are discussed. Anatomically correct names for body parts are used.  

The children are warned about several ploys that abusers often use. They are told that rewards and games should never be a part of touching or showing private parts. Secrets are never a good situation. 

Because this family doesn’t keep secrets, the parents explain that they should be told immediately if anyone asks the children to keep a secret. Secrets are distinguished from surprises, two easily confused concepts.

The last section is a list of 9 Ways to Protect Your Children from Sexual Abuse. The book is dedicated to Grace, an organization of professionals that provides abuse prevention training and other services. 

Hanna’s Comments: This book is designed for parents to read to 2-8 year olds and is a tool for beginning and continuing conversations and questions about sexual abuse. Typically, I feature books to read in ministry. Today I’m offering a book for those who do children’s ministry (whether ordained or not) to have handy to pass on to parents to read with their children. 

This book isn't designed for those times when a question of sexual abuse arises. Instead it is for your children’s protection from and empowerment in sexually inappropriate situations. These conversations are best done in a loving, non-threatening home and at the doctor’s office. 

If a reading is going to happen at your place of worship, parental involvement in planning is crucial. Make sure parents have read the book beforehand. I recommend having them help design the program and make all parents welcome. If parents in your faith family are suspected of such behavior, then you must report your concerns to the appropriate government authorities. 

Whoever reads this book should feel welcome to substitute gender-neutral words for God. I typically use Post-it notes to make such changes before reading. It is crucial that these conversations reflect your theological beliefs and spiritual values and your children feel positive about God. 

Original Publisher & Date: New Growth Press, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Digital

Scripture Connections: God created human beings in God’s own image and called us good (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Loan or give this book to parents in your faith family when they want to have a conversation with young children that will protect and empower them should they encounter inappropriate sexual advances or contact. 

The Divine Hours for Children

Picture Book: This is What I Pray Today:                                                     The Divine Hours Prayers for Children

Author: Phyllis Tickle

Illustrator: Elsa Warnick

Summary: When Phyllis Tickle published a new version of the Benedictine Rule of fixed-hour prayer called The Divine Hours, many Christians were not familiar with the practice. Today her versions of these old prayers structure the days of many protestants. 

In this book, she offers psalm-inspired prayers for young children to mark 3 specific times of each day of the week: Waking Up, 

Resting, 

and Ending My Day. 

The conceptual level is simple enough so that reading from this book can become a thrice daily ritual of children as young as two or three. 

For most children, this book could be read independently within a couple of years of learning to read.

Hanna’s Comments: In offering this book to children, the late, great Phyllis Tickle provides a structure of prayer that could be transformative to a child and the entire family.

This book would make an excellent gift for a family with a new baby, a family with children upon joining your congregation, or for parents who want to better ground their family life in scripture and prayer.

Additionally, a red ribbon bookmark is provided to mark the day throughout the week as your children read their first prayer book. 

Tickle gives some context and expanse to the text in her remarks in the back by suggesting these prayers are offered for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim parents and grandparents so that their "very young can be introduced early to the patterns and very grown-up practice of fixed-hour prayer."  

Original Publisher & Date: Dutton, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This book’s prayers are based on many Psalms, all of which are listed on each page.

Idea(s) for Application: Read a few of these prayers to participants of a faith-based preschool or elementary parenting class to encourage families to begin a ritual of praying together multiple times a day. 

Secrets and God’s Presence

Picture Book: Can I Tell You a Secret?

Author: Anna Kang

Illustrator: Christopher Weyant

Summary: The hook with this book is that you, the reader, and your audience are Monty’s friend to whom he is confessing his secret.

This little frog can’t swim; he’s afraid of the water! 

He acknowledges that a frog should be able to swim, but since he was a tadpole he has been finding ways to avoid the water. 

Thanks to his new friends (you and your audience), Monty decides that he must confess this to his parents. 

After a few tries, he tells them the news. Like the good parents they are, they already know and decide it’s time he overcomes his fear and learn to swim. 

He invites his new friends (you and your audience) to come with him as he tries. 

He has limited success, but he’s thrilled with his progress and thankful you came along. 

You get the sense that Monty’s going to be a swimmer after all.

Hanna’s Comments: Here’s an idea for a simple but very meaningful lesson for your children at home or the children of your faith family. Read the scripture below. Talk about how the Israelites had been in the wilderness where they had struggled with the idea of God being with them wherever they went. It took a long time for some of them to believe this.

Next, begin the book by explaining that Monty is addressing your listeners. Then read this fun book straight through with no commentary. Lastly, read the book again but direct the children to imagine that Monty is talking to God. 

The story will be transformed and the conversation you facilitate as you read will be rich and full of possibilities for understanding how God can be a comfort and companion in times of fear. That's the power of Picture Book Theology!

Original Publisher & Date: Harper Collins, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); Do not fear for I will be with you… (Isaiah 41:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a child who is struggling with any new or difficult situation and encourage him or her to remember God’s presence and unconditional love. 

Accepting Different Natures

Illustration from Virgil and Owen by Paulette Bogan

As a nationally certified school psychologist, I’m often asked about how to deal with children’s behavior. Sometimes the underlying question is about a child’s temperament. Can it be changed?

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

Certainly there are practices that do affect children’s behavior. Thank goodness! But I believe that when it comes to a child’s inclinations, there are patterns from that start that are unlikely to change.

Illustration from Virgil and Owen Stick Together by Paulette Bogan

I remember learning years ago that children’s temperaments are largely settled at birth. I can’t back-up this statement with academic references or research, but my many and varied experiences with children, especially the two I gave birth to, confirm this statement.

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

My children are alike in many ways but on opposite ends of some spectrums. I could have predicted these differences very early in their lives. Accepting who they are has been a delight at times, a struggle at other times, and a spiritual practice always. Why do I say that?

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

When I’m delighting in their selfhood, I’m grateful to God and accepting of their differences. When I’m frustrated with the ways they are different from me (silly on my part and a waste of time!), I’m trying to practice self-control and patience (two entries in Paul’s list of Fruits of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23)

Illustration from Virgil and Owen by Paulette Bogan

I believe that it behooves us to recognize that we are all born precious children of God, beloved in our uniqueness and likely to live out particular patterns (strengths and struggles) all our lives. Sure it’s good to adapt and refine, but the struggles (and strengths) are often a theme throughout our lives.

Illustration from Virgil and Owen Stick Together by Paulette Bogan

The books I’ve selected for this post celebrate the different natures of two characters. Connect these books with the verse in Genesis about us all being created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) or with Bible stories or history that involve very different characters (Jacob & Esau, Martha & Mary, Barnabas & Paul, etc.).

Illustration from Virgil and Owen Stick Together by Paulette Bogan

If you are struggling with division in your family of faith, one of these books might be great for a group of adults to experience. Adults, sadly, are too often the ones who most need to hear the messages of these books and the scriptures you will connect to them.

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

The first picture book offering is about two owl siblings in Paris. The older owl tries to teach the younger to “hoo” appropriately. The learning doesn’t go as expected. 

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

The younger owl sings with all sorts of sounds because the Parisian night, particularly the cathedrals, are so gorgeous. Eventually the younger teaches the older to respond to the beauty that surrounds them. 

Illustration from Hoot and Peep by Lita Judge

As I read this book, I couldn’t help but think of the various ways we worship God and how that issue is sometimes quite divisive. 

Picture Book: Hoot and Peep

Author & Illustrator: Lita Judge

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

The next two books are part of a series about a couple of very different animals. In the first book, Virgil, a penguin, finds Owen, a polar bear, and claims him as his personal property.  

Illustration from Virgil and Owen by Paulette Bogan

When Owen acts independently, Virgil becomes very upset. Eventually Owen, who is fun-loving and easygoing, responds with a firm, “No!” His limit has been reached. Virgil realizes his mistake and becomes more accepting and a friend rather than an owner.

Picture Book: Virgil and Owen

Author & Illustrator: Paulette Bogan

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

The second book in this series emphasizes Virgil and Owen’s different natures. The two are on a trip to school. Owen gets sidetracked, and Virgil hurries Owen repeatedly. 

Illustration from Virgil and Owen Stick Together by Paulette Bogan

As in the first book, Owen reaches the limit to his patience and lets out a big roar, sending Virgil toppling into the snow. Apologies follow and the relationship is restored.

Illustration from Virgil and Owen Stick Together by Paulette Bogan

Besides the scripture connections listed above, both of these books would be great to read to a small group of parents or a group of adults who work with young children.

Picture Book: Virgil and Owen Stick Together

Author & Illustrator: Paulette Bogan

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet