Another Dodd book for Christmas!

A while back, I enthusiastically told you about 9 of Emma Dodd’s books. Find that post HERE . She’s an author/illustrator of simple but profound books for young children. These larger than usual board books have a particular look. They are grounded in loving relationships. In fact, these books are in her series called “Love You Books.” This year she’s come out with a book about Christmas. Like the others, it is about animal families and secular - not about Jesus’ birth but about the season. It’s a snowy landscape so it’s for the northern hemisphere. Below you’ll see in which of my preschool lessons I recommend it.

Interested in learning more about Trinity Treasures, my scripture-based preschool Sunday school curriculum. It features picture books & children’s Bibles. Free lessons are emailed if you fill out the monthly feedback form. Contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. 

Picture Book: Christmas is Joy

Author/Illustrator: Emma Dodd

Summary: A family of reindeer are celebrating Christmas in a snowy woods. The primary relationship is between a fawn and father,

but eventually you see the whole herd. Christmas gifting here may be more about snuggling and quality time than wrapped packages. Still humanlike seasonal responses abound. The book ends with an emphasis on the unity the family feels among the peaceful beauty that they share. It acknowledges that their unity and the beauty that surrounds them lasts well beyond Christmas.

Hanna’s Comments: This gorgeous book's celebratory tone has you almost hearing the giggly joy and feeling the crisp cool air! Joy abounds because of loving familial relationships. There is profound beauty in the snowy scenes and beauty in the strong connections among the reindeer. Be sure to linger there with your audience and claim the love that abounds in their own Christmas rituals with family, both biological and faith-based. Talk specifically about what love and joy look like this time of year in various places. Extend that conversation to concepts of peace, which you'll see mentioned in the last pages. See last photo below. 

Original Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2022

Age Appropriateness: Toddler and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The Christmas scriptures are full of joy and love! To expand your focus, tie this story of wilderness living to scriptures about God's loving care when we find ourselves in chaotic stress and noise (aka the holiday season).

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I listed this book in 3 of my Trinity Treasures preschool lessons for Advent (themes: Mary Sees & Sings, Jesus Teaches Love, Prepare the Way), 1 per year in the 3-year lectionary cycle.

PBT Applications: Before reading this book to a group of young elementary children, list for them the 5 Languages of Love (see Gary Chapman's adult books or  THIS BOOK  for children). Find what love languages you can among these pages. End by anticipating how your audience would be inclined to love more joyfully this Christmas season.

Contemplate Wild Peace

Picture Book: Wild Peace

Author: Irene Latham

Illustrator: Il Sung Na

Summary: This extraordinary book is about the peace found when imagining a nature journey, leading to observing nature in all its Godly Glory and experiencing the peace such nature provides! It is the story of a young girl who is playing in a chaotic room with her 3 siblings. She is painting a nature picture. 

Then her desire for some peace has her peering into her art and imagining where it might take her. Actually, a butterfly invites her on this expansive journey where the idea of peace simply means being who (what) God intends in a world pulsing with beauty and diversity. She is on every gorgeous page. When her figure is small, cue your audience to find her. 

The girl's explorations are to various environs where she notices animal behaviors, but there is much beauty and mystery in the plants and skies too. The last page is so profound. It shows the girl with her 3 siblings in a bed they share. Two are asleep. The youngest, a toddler, is dancing on the bed as light rays embrace each child. These are the last wise words:

Peace welcomes all that is wild and

kisses the forehead of each and every child.

Hanna’s Comments: There are many picture books about humans interacting with nature. When they are beautiful and simple, like this book, then a group can easily extrapolate deep spiritual possibilities. These kinds of books are more prevalent as our culture realizes we have deprived too many children (and adults) of these rich healing experiences, and we are all far too anxious, over-stimulated, and busy. 

This girl's journey offers peaceful quiet and leads to marvelous curiosity about God's world. Talk in particular about the animal behavior that intrigues her. What might they be teaching her about God?  Spend some time helping your audience expand their definition of prayer to include anytime they are in nature and feeling thankful, curious, or awed by God's world. 

My favorite PBT book about the peace that God's natural world can give is another secular book. Sophie is a young child who climbs a tree for comfort after she has a tantrum. She sits in the tree and seems to heal. Then she returns home. There are 2 other books in the Sophie series by Molly Bang. All are great books about managing intense feelings. 

Original Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2021

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about peace, such as Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. (John 14:27) OR scriptures about quiet, such as Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) 

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of older children. Have them create a drama in which they are all in a chaotic room. Then one by one, they leave the chaos and do something quieter, more peaceful in the natural world. Have each tell how they have imagined themselves to be somewhere else in nature. Ask what is there that is comforting and shows God's love. End the lesson by guiding all through an imaginative prayer journey that refers to spaces already mentioned as comforting and healing. Together be grateful for such places, the skills to imagine them, and the opportunities to experience them. 

Hank's World

 

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God.

After this month’s massacres in Buffalo, New York & Uvalde, Texas, I read again Rebecca Dudley’s beautiful books and thought how they might be a comfort to a child, a group of children, and even adult readers. The first book is about being lost, found, gently cared for, and then returned. We hope we are the ones doing these things, but sometimes we are the ones who are lost.

Dudley’s 2^nd book is about a dream place. The dream seemed like heaven to me or at least an afterlife place. I’m not inclined to imagine the afterlife much (I do believe there is one), but this book was so comforting to me, especially with traumatized children in mind. Whether presented about the afterlife or not, it is a comforting book. With all this in mind, it seemed appropriate to post about these 2 books this week. Here's a link to a short YouTube demo video of Dudley’s amazing art process. Consider showing it to your audience. You all will want to crawl in her world and cuddle up!

Picture Book: Hank Finds an Egg

Author: Unlike her 2^nd book, this book is wordless.

Illustrator: Rebecca Dudley

Summary: Hank is a little bear who, while wandering through a woods finds a hummingbird’s egg on the ground. He gently picks it up and then quickly finds the nest where it belongs. 

Hank struggles to keep the egg warm and figure out how to return it. He is not a big bear. With amazing ingenuity and perseverance, Hank returns the egg and is beautifully thanked by a parent hummingbird and later by the little bird right after its birth.

Hanna’s Comments: This artist is an architect who creates every component of her magical Storywoods. Watch her video and be entranced.

Original Publisher: Peter Pauper Press, 2013

Age Appropriateness: 2 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This book connects well with the lost parables in Luke 15 and The Good Samaritan in Luke 10. They could even be tied to Jesus’ healing stories for those he healed (and the people who loved them most) were certainly lost in the circumstances of illness.

PBT Applications: Cuddle in together with this wordless book after a difficult week and talk to children about what makes them feel lost. Then talk about how God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, or kindhearted people help us find our way back to what is more comfortable and normal.

Picture Book: Hank Has a Dream

Author/Illustrator: Rebecca Dudley

Summary: Hank meets up with the little hummingbird baby of the first book (above) and says, “Last night I dreamed I flew! I was all by myself, but I wasn’t scared."  

Then the readers see (as Hank and his friend mimic) beautiful images of Hank flying in a hot air balloon, following a path to the ocean and over the clouds. There he floats peacefully. It ends with Hummingbird wanting to hear about the dream again!   

Hanna’s Comments: See above in the intro. to this post. If this book doesn’t offer an image of the afterlife for you, no worries. Talk about the biblical concept of peace. Talk about how dreams have been viewed as a way for God to gives us messages. Encourage your audience to wonder about that.

Original Publisher: Peter Pauper Press, 2014

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This book will connect with Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28, Joseph’s interpretation of dreams in general (Genesis 40 & 41), and any verses about the afterlife. It also connects to any scripture about peace or peaceful places. You could also talk about the importance of listening to a friends dreams - bedtime dreams or dreams of the future. 

PBT Applications: Read this book to children who have had an encounter with death either directly or in the news. Do not present this as an image of heaven or the afterlife. Instead, encourage positive talk about the dream place and offer up wonderings about whether heaven or the afterlife is like Hank’s dreams.

Verde & Reynolds’ I Am Books

Author: Susan Verde    Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Hopefully, you already know about these books! Here’s a helpful shortcut for this PBT post: 

1. Notice first the 3^rd word in the title.

2. Then read the last word in the title. This tells you more specifics about the book.

3. Next notice the scripture connections I suggest below for each book. Take time to think of more scripture connections. There are many, even for the book about yoga, for yoga is all about being still and breathing which is part of many spiritual practices. 

To simplify, all these books share these characteristics:

• There are many "I am" statements, particularly at the beginning. in most books the story moves into community dynamics, shared experiences, and group attributes ("We are..."). 
• Because of their hair and dress, the gender of most characters is ambiguous which facilitates character connections to all people.
• There is an informative Author's Note in the back, additional exercises often follow. 
• Many of these books are available in board book form. That makes them cheaper, BUT pages have been taken out, they are harder to share in a group reading, AND the exercises in the back are NOT included. Many of your elementary children and no teens would not welcome a board book being read to them! Here's a pet peeve of mine: MANY BOARD BOOKS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE INTO BOARD BOOKS! 
• Because of their titles, all of these books give you an opportunity to connect to God's answer to Moses' question about God's name. (Exodus 3:14) 

I've listed the books here in what I believe might be most to least useful in church ministry. 

Picture Book: I Am Love: A Book of Compassion

Summary: Because this is about compassionate love, the main character explains that love means asking what we can do in response to witnessed hurt, unfairness, sadness, and even anger. It models putting hands to heart, listening, and then acting with tenderness and gratitude, letting hearts guide us. Little gestures may be all that are needed, as long as all reactions come from the heart. Self-care should be remembered because we creatures are so very connected. This book recognizes that sometimes being a loving presence with a person or creature is all that is needed. Compassion is the skill being taught here. 

Hanna’s Comments: I especially love the breathing component of this book. These days many books express a need for deep breaths to give courage. But here deep breaths are to access our deep compassion. Spend some time imagining such situations and doing some deep breathing. After the Author’s Note, you'll find heart-opening yoga poses and a guided meditation.

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2019

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: You know there are many scriptures with love as the subject. Consider also Bible characters who show compassionate love such as the widow who met Elijah, the slave girl who directed Naaman, both biblical Josephs, the good Samaritan, the boy who shared his lunch, the woman who anointed Jesus, Philip with the Ethiopian, Paul after knowing and loving Onesimus (Philemon's slave)...

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of older preschoolers. Then ask them to tell about a love hero they know who is a bit older than them. Afterwards, tell them about some love heroes from the scriptures, especially the boy who shared his lunch - the biblical character they will likely most relate to.

 

Picture Book: I Am Human: A Book of Empathy

Summary: This book is all about embracing human characteristics, particularly being a miraculously unique learner who is hopeful and imperfect. That last attribute of ours is emphasized as the book explores our strong need for connection and how we can make choices that hurt one another. Then being able to apologize is necessary for renewed relationships. Empathy is the skill being taught here. 

Hanna’s Comments: Here at PBT, I have repeatedly connected the skill of empathy to The Great Commandment. That's where human compassion begins! Empathy drives our connections with those in our family, church, and neighborhood and our desire for justice for people all over the globe. After the Author’s Note you'll find a loving-kindness meditation exercise.

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2018

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: See the scripture note in the book above (Many scripture connections will overlap with these books.) OR consider broadly The Great Commandment which has a component of empathy. Scriptures about confession and forgiveness would connect to the latter part of the book. 

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of parents. Talk about how they can encourage their children to have empathic responses to various social media posts. Do the loving-kindness meditation that's provided. Then discuss that experience.

Picture Book: I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience

Summary: This book is about facing what challenges us, particularly our fears, with the necessary skills to overcome them or at least manage them better. Here are wise words about positive affirmations, self-confidence, assertiveness, trying new and hard things, asking for help, and trying again after failure. A challenging bike journey of one child is the plot mechanism. When the child meets other children, perseverance and resilience are objectives for all.  

Hanna’s Comments: I bet this book was written after the pandemic began for so much of this pandemic has felt like a difficult journey. Children have suffered greatly since spring 2022. This book will give them an opportunity to consider helpful strategies in a loving faith community. My favorite page says, "I find my center and gather my strength." What a holy statement! Explain to your audience that the great I Am is indeed in us! God is our center - our heart, our strength, and our breath.  After the Author’s Note you'll find exercises to inspire confidence, such as yoga poses and breathing exercises. Resilience is the set of skills being taught here. 

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2021

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: The Lord God is my strength and my might. (Isaiah 12:2); Be strong and courageous... (Joshua 1:9); The word courage is found in many scriptures. Also think about the people in the Bible who demonstrated courage or resilience, such as Jacob, the midwives of early Exodus, Jeremiah, Elijah, Daniel, Esther, the woman who touched Jesus' cloak, Ananias, Paul...

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of young children going to summer church camp. Talk about missing home and the aspects of this book that most apply to your children's potential situations. Talk about God being with us wherever we go. 

Picture Book: I Am One: A Book of Action

Summary: This book demonstrates repeatedly that 1 person, even a small person, can begin a significant change with 1 purposeful action. Examples you'll see here: 1 step leads to a journey, 1 gentle word starts a conversation, 1 act of kindness begins a connection, and 1  brushstroke can lead to a masterpiece. The last part of the book shows a duo of children embarking on a water voyage. They join a community of children who start a beautiful garden.

Hanna’s Comments: It was timely that their 2020 book is about starting alone and then connecting with others. In 2020 and beyond, being only one became too easy (even necessary) for many of us and gathering in community was significantly harder, riskier, and yet necessary! Be sure to talk about how technology changed the process of taking action and connecting after the onset of the pandemic. This book is all about making a difference with your actions, especially if they are joined with others. "I" becomes "we." The concept of a ripple effect is shown within the beautiful illustrations. After the Author’s Note you'll find a mindfulness meditation and a self-reflection exercise. In churchy terms, "works" is what is being taught here. 

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2020

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Joseph of Arimathea

PBT Applications: Play around with the ripple effect idea after you read this book to elementary children. My hunch is there are scientific experiments explained on-line that might give you some great ideas. Be sure you make connections to the children's actual lives. Metaphors are great, but they often must be explained. That's where application and growth begin.

 

If you question whether mindfulness is an appropriate practice in Christian contexts, I urge you to look below for info. on an adult book that answers your question and click on the podcast link where I recorded a review of that book. 

Picture Book: I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness

Summary: Mindfulness is the skill being taught here. It simply means being fully in the present moment - here and now. The main character experiences mindfulness moments after admitting that worry is a common response for him/her. Rushing thoughts and feeling like a boat with no anchor are explained and shown. Taking a breath and giving self-reassurance leads to the ground feeling more steady. When orienting to the here and now, the character says the mind clears and peace comes. Worries gently pop away, thoughts are let go via saying them aloud. Then kindness can be shared, differences can be made, strong connections to nature can be experienced. Wonder follows. Sensory experiences are acknowledged. Peace is shared. 

Hanna’s Comments: At the start, the speaker confesses there are many reasons to worry. Your audience will immediately relate. This seems more true everyday! Mindfulness practice is an orientation to the here and now. This allows us to be and feel more peace. As shown in this wise book, mindfulness also can lead to sharing kindness and making positive differences toward a more peaceful world. Sensory experiences in nature and conscious breathing are encouraged. Give time and space to share stories about these kinds of moments and the healing they can do. Spend a significant time on the simple sentence: "Wonder is known." After the Author’s Note you'll find a mindfulness exercise. I keep this book by my morning reading chair for inspiration!

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2017

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10); Create in me a clean heart, O God. (Psalm 51:10); I lift up my eyes to the hills... (Psalm 121:1-2); Do not worry (Matthew 6:34)

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of young adults who are reframing or building their prayer practices. Mindfulness practice is a common practice now because research shows it is so very good for us! This practice can easily be reframed in a Biblical context. I recorded a podcast as a guest about this method based on Amy G. Oden's book Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness. You can access that podcast here.

 

Board book versions have less content!

Picture Book: I Am Yoga

Summary: Here yoga poses and breathing are offered as antidotes to feeling small in a big world. A wiggly body and thinking mind are spoken to gently. Breathing is slowed and creativity are invited in. A child is shown doing nearly 20 poses, sometimes with great imagination. Yoga is the skill being taught here, but there is much here that is healthy self-care and self-compassion.   

Hanna’s Comments:  Yoga is a very meaningful spiritual practice for many people of all ages! After the Author’s Note you'll find a kid-friendly guide to yoga poses. 

Original Publisher: Abrams, 2015

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of children who are learn how to pray with their body and talk about the importance of being attentive to God. Be sure to show the last pages of yoga poses. 

Three of these books (I Am Human, I Am Peace, and I Am Yoga) are available in a box set called I Am... A Box of Goodness. 

And to come...

Picture Book: I Am Me           Due to be published 9/2022! 

Gobs of Great Books from Flyaway Publishers

Get ready for a bunch of PBT books! Flyaway is a collection of books being published now in Louisville, KY. They have many titles full of potential for all ages. This company is dedicated to publishing books that encourage conversations about diversity, inclusion, self-esteem, kindness, compassion, and care for our world. Some of these stories come straight from the Bible, like this one. So beautiful! After these new books are described, find below links to 4 Flyaway Books featured earlier here at PBT! 

Below I feature 10 or so Flyaway books! Go to www.flyawaybooks.com for more information & listings. Go to their excellent resources page for lots of goodies to encourage appropriate conversations. One of the things they insert in many books is supplementary content, including discussion guides, background info., & further resources.

I have already posted about 3 “Flyaways” and will continue to do so. In the future, search “Flyaway” in the upper right corner to access this and other posts featuring Flyaway books. Here's the 1st for today, a big beautiful book!

Picture Book: For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World

Author: Michael W. Waters

Illustrator: Keisha Morris

Summary: Jeremiah is a teen thrilled about his new locs, but soon after he learns of Trevon Martin’s murder. This discovery begins complicated & difficult conversations between Jeremiah and his parents as he learns more about similar deaths from gun violence and his own family is threatened by gun violence in their neighborhood.   

Hanna’s Comments: This book focuses on a family's direct experiences with racism and gun violence in America. As Jeremiah and his parents struggle with events in the news, their points of view are poignant and heartbreaking. Spend time talking about how Jeremiah is struggling not only with his very real fears but his identity and difficulties understanding how such events make sense in modern America. The book includes an excellent discussion guide by the Muhammad Ali Center.

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: mature tweens and teens and up

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about justice connects to this book!

PBT Applications: I can see this book being read to a group of teens in a diverse youth group or a small group of parents who are wanting to breach these subjects with sensitivity and faith. In either case, be prepared to balance the negatives of this difficult issue with hope for a better world and affirmation of beautiful black boys.   

Picture Book: God’s Big Plan

Author: Elizabeth F. Caldwell & Theodore Hiebert

Illustrator: Katie Yamasaki

Summary: This is a clever retelling of the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. It celebrates diversity as God’s intention for our world.  There is a note for parents and educators that gives some excellent context to that story. This book also comes in board book form for your youngest children.

Hanna’s Comments: I try not to post about books that are based on Bible stories because those are typically easy to find. This title doesn’t imply that scripture connection, so I wanted you to know about it!

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: preschoolers and up

Scripture Connections: Genesis 11:1-9, I used this book in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum. See how below.

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: I connected this book to Psalm 148 (Year C, Easter 5) which encourages all sorts of diversity (mountains & sea monsters even) to praise God.  

PBT Applications: I’ve always found this Bible story to be confusing. This book offers some clarity to any age group. I could see a great conversation coming from an adult Bible study group. Depending on your toddlers, they might be attentive during a reading of the board book. 

Picture Book: The Story of And: The Little Word                 that Changed the World

Author: Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Illustrator: Joani Keller Rothenberg

Lyricist: Carrie Newcomer

Summary: Here a personified word “And” comes to the rescue of some of some opinionated shapes. Thanks to And, the shapes overcome their prejudices and assumptions and team up to create new possibilities. For instance, a circle and a squiggly line are encouraged by And to join and become a balloon! Inside are instructions for downloading an original song written for this book by Carrie Newcomer. If you don't know Carrie's music, which is not ordinarily for children, I highly recommend her thoughtful spiritual songs.

Hanna’s Comments: A fun activity would be to have children play with some shapes by way of various media so they can make some original creations of their own. See if you can recruit a singer to learn the song that can be downloaded for free from Flyaway's resources page. 

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: preschoolers and up

Scripture Connections: There are many Bible stories where people of different backgrounds overcome their prejudices and work together for good. Think Rahab and the Israelites, Ruth & Naomi, Jesus’ disciples, and the early church.

PBT Applications: The heart of this story is God’s desire for us to be hospitable and even inclusive to what/who is new and different. These issues deserve attention in all sorts of sacred and secular contexts.  

Picture Book: Brian the Brave

Author: Paul Stewart

Illustrator: Jane Porter

Summary: Poor Brian! He learns that some sheep will only play with sheep that look like themselves. Sometimes Brian is left out and sad. Sometimes others are not allowed to play. When a wolf comes, Brian’s courage and instruction helps the sheep overcome their divisions and work together to defeat the wolf.  

Hanna’s Comments: I wish this story for young children didn’t have so much application in the adult world!

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: preschoolers through early elementary

Scripture Connections: scriptures about overcoming division such as when Jesus crossed cultural & religious boundaries to heal the bent over woman; other scriptures about courage and God’s presence in adversity such as Joshua 1:9: Be strong & courageous....

PBT Applications: Little kiddos need to be reminded of God’s presence when struggling with fear and new possibilities. Read this book to children about to go to “big school” and remind them God goes with them and God is with every child in their classroom, no matter what that child looks like.

Picture Book: Walking Toward Peace: The True Story of Peace Pilgrim

Author: Kathleen Krull

Illustrator: Annie Bowler

Summary: Peace Pilgrim is an actual person (1908-1981) who gave up her name and all her possessions to make the world better, more peaceful. Being weary of war after WWII, she had a dramatic idea for a more meaningful life. She would walk the United States from coast to coast, as a pilgrim for peace. This book is about her preparation, her first walk in 1958, and her many experiences as an ambassador praying with her whole body for peace. For 28 years she crisscrossed the USA!

Hanna’s Comments: I knew nothing about this American hero! Throughout her many journeys, Peace Pilgrim thought of walking as a prayer. This book has more about her in the back pages and some resources, including references to a biography and a website: www.peacepilgrim.org.

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: Tweens and up

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about peace and refraining from violence or hatred

PBT Applications: Do your children need to learn about the kind of heroes who creatively use mind & body to faithfully demonstrate their convictions? Read this book to them. Check out the resources for ideas to supplement the reading. 

Picture Book: Where is Home, Daddy Bear?

Author & Illustrator: Nicola O’Byrne

Summary: Evie is a young bear moving with her father to a new house. She wonders if that place will be home. Daddy Bear explains that home is more than a place. It’s a feeling, a cuddle, or space to be yourself. Possessions are packed up, and they say goodbye to their former home. Good conversation, games, singing, and comfort food along the car trip helps alleviate Evie’s anxiety. Evie's dad gets a bit lost on the way, but he explains he is never lost when he is with Evie. When they arrive, Evie is less anxious and mostly excited. She declares to Dad: Home is me and you!

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a relevant subject for many children in your churches! Even children who don’t move from childhood homes move to new schools. Help your kiddos apply these ideas broadly. You and your children will likely wonder about Evie’s mom. Her framed image is in the last illustration, but there is no explanation for her absence. See this as an invitation for your children to think of many possibilities. Be sensitive to any children who have no mothers at home. Parental conversations and verbal permission may be necessary before reading to your children.

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: Preschool through early elementary

Scripture Connections: There are many scriptures about a longing for home. The Israelites wandered for 40 years, anticipating a land of milk and honey. Ruth & Naomi had to leave and establish a new home. Those sent away during the Babylonian exile longed for their Jerusalem home. 

PBT Applications: Consider connecting Matthew 7, where Jesus contrasts a home build on sand to a home built on rock. Decide together what makes for a home’s rock foundation. 

Picture Book: Crocodile’s Crossing: A Search for Home

Author & Illustrator: Yoeri Slegers 

Summary: Like Evie Bear above, Crocodile needs a new home, but he is an adult driven by hope for a better life. When “the trouble started" home was no longer safe. He goes from place to place, surprised by the differences in houses, food, clothes, and words. He plans to search until a place "feels like home." But the people he meets are not welcoming.  They tell him to go away. Crocodile gets hungry and thirsty, but mostly he is confused and tired. Then, like Gulliver for you literary folks, Crocodile makes friends with a community of mice who share resources and accept his differences. With time he becomes an important member of the community. Eventually, Crocodile’s family arrives so that his new community certainly feels like home!

Hanna’s Comments: This is an immigrant story designed with young children in mind. I love the maps in this book! Some map activities might be fun to supplement your reading. Perhaps some of your children are immigrants or have had immigrant-like experiences. If so, this book would be very meaningful! Build empathy for these stories and affirm resilience in children who adapt to new cultures, places, and homes.

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: Preschool and up

Scripture Connections: Calls for hospitality to strangers and immigrants abound in the scriptures.

PBT Applications: This book offers a story that preschoolers can enjoy and consider with new insights into God’s call for hospitality and community building. But it can also, in a non-threatening way, offer an entry into a meaningful conversation about current immigration issues with older children.

Here are a couple of books about how words can hurt and then heal. Your kids know all about that!

Picture Book: Bruno’s Hat

Author & Illustrator: Canizales 

Summary: Peter and Bruno were best friends but Peter almost damaged their relationship forever when a bully said mean words about Bruno’s hat and Peter doesn’t defend Bruno. Peter learns to speak up to the bully and even includes him in their play.

Hanna’s Comments: In a note in the back of this book, it explains that the publishers of all Flyaway Books hope to “help readers see the world from a new perspective” including (with this book in mind) those who witness bullying. There is a downloadable guide to this book here: https://www.flyawaybooks.com/resources 

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: Preschool and early elementary

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about the power of words apply, such as many in Proverbs, some are about hurtful words (11:9) and some are about healing words (16:24).

PBT Applications: Read this book to a group of early elementary children who are struggling with including everyone in church play. The practice of hospitality can begin at church!

Picture Book: What in the World is Wrong with Gisbert?

Author: Jochen Weeber

Illustrator: Fariba Gholizadeh

Summary: Gisbert, a giraffe, has confidence until he is teased as he enters kindergarten. He begins to shrink! No one can see him shrinking, but Gisbert can feel it. What his friends and family do notice, as Gisbert shrinks from mistakes and criticisms, is that he seems upset. They ask how to help, but Gisbert says he’s fine. This pattern continues until Gisbert stays home from school a whole week. When he receives a note from friends who are clearly missing him, Gisbert confides in his parents. They counsel him to speak up when his feelings are hurt and talk to him when he is hurting. You can likely guess the result of Gisbert’s fond and affirming reunion with his school friends. He grows and grows!

Hanna’s Comments: This book has more text so is more appropriate for older children than the one above, unless you have some attentive and mature preschoolers. I believe the strength of this text is that its subject is a child of quiet. These are the children most likely overlooked at school and at church. Talk with all your children about how hard it is for some to speak up and ask for help. Talk about how prayer can help in these situations. Encourage sensitivity for those who are often overlooked or shy.

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books

Age Appropriateness: Elementary

Scripture Connections: This character reminds me indirectly of Zacchaeus and the woman who touched Jesus' garment for healing. Another connection is with scriptures like Psalm 139 that affirm that everyone is a precious child of God, born to be loved and loving. Also, consider scriptures about words that hurt and heal (see examples in the above book). 

PBT Applications:  Consider which children in your church program might be shy and unwilling to seek help from you should problems arise. This book might empower them.

Picture Book: God’s Coming to Visit

Author: Franz Huber

Illustrator: Angela Glokler and Rea Grit Zielinski

Summary: There’s a rumor running rampant among the animals: God’s coming to visit. Exciting! But scary too. They suspect lots of prep is needed so they can impress God. What is special enough? They primp and practice amazing tricks until they become impatient. It’s dark and God has not come! A voice in the darkness explains. “God is already here.” Then owl explains God's constant presence and unconditional love. There’s no need to do anything to impress God. What’s to be done? Be still. Feel God’s love. Share your worries. Ask for help. Love God and each another. They do just that. God is with them to stay.

Hanna’s Comments: Here’s another great PBT God Book, but it’s not published yet. I was able to get my hands on a proof and loved it! Look for it in October!  

Original Publisher: Flyaway Books, will be published in October 2021

Age Appropriateness: Elementary and up

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about the presence of God or a scripture about Owl’s instructions, such as Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

PBT Applications: This book speaks to all of us so it would be appropriate for any age above elementary age. Read it to a group about to study new mediation practices. We humans have a tendency to think a prayer practice must be perfect to be acceptable to God. This book counteracts that human tendency.  

Here are other PBT posts featuring Flyaway Books:

Who is My Neighbor?

When God Gave Us Words

Home by Another Way

The Marvelous Mustard Seed