Grab & Go #19 - I Will Love You Anyway

What's a PBT Grab & Go? These books are extremely easy to use in sacred settings. God’s holiness is all over them. The connections to sacred ideas are easy to find. You may have to be patient as your audience finds the scriptural connections you see. Give them time, and they may surprise you with holy ideas you had not seen. 

Today's book is a funny read about a misbehaving dog. Coax your audience to talk about all viewpoints. There's humor, but there is also temptation, separation, worry, shame, love, and of course, grace! 

To find more PBT Grab & Go books, make sure you're in the web version (On your phone? You must click on that version.). Then check out the Grab & Go search label at the bottom of the screen or type "Grab & Go" into the search box in the upper right corner.

 Picture Book: I Will Love You Anyway

Author: Mick Inkpen

Illustrator: Chloe Inkpen 

Summary: The dog in this story is bad, sooo bad, but lovable and loved unconditionally.  

The desire to please, to do the right thing, is evident but the follow through? Not so much.

He's adorable in his sweat bands, perhaps worn because he never stops. He's constantly running away

  or chasing

 or being chased. 

There is one lesson that Doggie seems to have learned

the hard way. 

The boy's parents plan to find another home for the dog because of all the trouble it is causing. But, a loud thunderstorm leads to another escape and a long night of missing and longing and waiting. The humans realize the depth of their attachment.

 Then there is another reunion!

The family decides to keep the mischief-maker, despite his bad behavior because they love him unconditionally. Good thing! Some things (and dogs) never change!

Hanna’s Comments: This tale of misbehavior and unconditional love is from a father (author) daughter (illustrator) duo. Makes sense! Many picture book plots involve unconditional love. I call this kind of love parental love in the search labels below. This book has the added benefit of definite connections to the Parable of the Prodigal Son (the running away, the embrace...). The overall sense is that this little pup wants to please but can’t seem to overcome urges. I can relate!

In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, similar frustrations are confessed. Paul doesn’t explain what behavior he wants to avoid, but it sure is good to know that, even a man who Jesus spoke to in a vision, never stopped struggling with temptations. 

Original Publisher & Date: Aladdin, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: Adam & Eve's temptations (Genesis 3), The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32); I don’t do the thing I want and do the very thing I hate… (Romans 7: 15-17,19-20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this adorable book to a group of children or parents in your faith family who are learning about God’s unconditional love, Jesus’s parable of The Prodigal Son, or Paul’s frustration with his own behavior. Be sure to practice reading! The rhyming rhythms are crucial for the humor.  

PBT Redux #27 No Dogs Allowed

I’m on vacation this week so I'm going with a repeat of a post about a book celebrating the joys of getting away. This story about a fun day trip was one of my favorite discoveries during my first year of PBT. That year I posted about a book every day! You can take this comical story in many serious directions or stay with the fun of it. Spiritual practices that it touches on include hospitality, inclusion, accommodation, rule following, feasting, and being present when someone (or some group) is left out.  

Picture Book: No Dogs Allowed

Author: Sonia Manzano

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: This is a story of a New York City family taking a day trip to Enchanted State Park to enjoy the lake. But it is so much more! Iris first introduces us to her family, a cast of caricatures that will have you giggling. Tons of food are prepared, bulging cases of necessities are packed, and a decision is made to bring El Exigente, the dog. Neighbors come along with their many necessities and vibrant personalities. A long line of cars streams out of the city bulging with folks ready to be enchanted. After some car trouble, all arrive and see a sign at the edge of the parking lot, “NO DOGS ALLOWED.” While they “figure out what to do,” they stake their claim along the edge of the parking lot and pull out the food, games, and sunbathing paraphernalia. The humans take turns entertaining El Exigente who dutifully sits in the parking lot. When there is nothing left to eat and the sun is going down, the throng piles back into their cars and heads home, knowing that even El Exigente had an enchanting time at Enchanted State Park.    

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a delightful book, and there is so much more here than the comedy and turmoil of a day trip. You’ll find a spirit of loving acceptance, even for those who are self-centered or peculiar. At the heart of this family is a joyous hospitality and resilience with a determination that all will have fun no matter the circumstances, even if there are NO DOGS ALLOWED. I kept thinking as I read this book, if only our faith communities were this accepting, hospitable, and resilient. If only everyone could be so lovingly attentive and accommodating. Perhaps you can lead your family of faith into such suppositions with the help of this fun picture book and some scripture that ties it all together.   

Original Publisher & Date: Atheneum Books, 2004

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17); on these two commandments (Love the Lord, Your God… and the Golden Rule) depend all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:34-40); Jesus goes to the bent over woman (Luke 13:10-17); Jesus addresses Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10); a boy shares his loaves and fishes (John 6:5); Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11)

Idea(s) for Application:  Consider using this book to help children understand how Jesus respected the ancient Hebrew Laws, but he sometimes broke them and argued that what God intended for The Law was being ignored by the Pharisees. 

I Run Away I Run Away

 Picture Book: I Will Love You Anyway

Author: Mick Inkpen

Illustrator: Chloe Inkpen 

Summary: The dog in this story is bad, sooo bad, but lovable and loved unconditionally.  

The desire to please, to do the right thing, is evident but the follow through? Not so much.

He's adorable in his sweat bands, perhaps worn because he never stops. He's constantly running away

  or chasing 

 or being chased. 

 Running away is a major issue with this little guy. 

Then there are the other problem behaviors... 

 that lead to some disgust and further chasing. 

There is one lesson that Doggie seems to have learned 

the hard way. 

The dog's master overhears his parents' plans to make a change. 

Bargains follow and all are sad. 

 But a loud noise leads to another escape, 

 a long night of missing and longing and waiting, 

 and another reunion. 

The family decides to keep the mischief-maker   

despite his bad behavior, simply because of unconditional love. Good thing, 

 because some things never change. 

Hanna’s Comments: This tale of unconditional love is from a father (words) daughter (illustrations) duo. Makes sense! There are lots of picture books that involve unconditional love, but this one has the added benefit of a plot with some definite connections to the parable of The Prodigal Son (i.e. the running away and the big embrace upon being found). Also, there’s the overall sense that this little pup wants to please its master but just can’t seem to overcome urges to make messes and run away. I can relate!

In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, similar frustrations are confessed. Paul doesn’t explain what behavior he wants to avoid, but it sure is nice to know that, even a man who saw Jesus in a vision, never stops struggling with his own temptations.

Original Publisher & Date: Aladdin, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

Scripture Connections: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32); I don’t do the thing I want and do the very thing I hate… (Romans 7: 15-17,19-20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this adorable book to a group of children in your faith family who are learning about God’s unconditional love, Jesus’s parable of The Prodigal Son, or Paul’s frustration with his own behavior in his Letter to the Romans (listed above).

PBT Techniques #4: Using the Whole Story

Picture Book: Beyond the Pond

Author & Illustrator: Joseph Kuefler

Summary: Ernest D. is bored and curious about the pond in his ordinary yard.

After realizing the pond is very deep or perhaps bottomless,

Ernest D. proclaims, “Oh, how exceptional!” a phrase he repeats for obvious reasons as the story unfolds exceptionally.

Ernest D. and his dog dive in. The dive begins with expected discoveries; then some surprises are within the darkest depths.  

Eventually, they see another shore – “the other side.” 

This fantastical place is “so tiny” 

and “so tall” and “every shape in between.” 

But it’s also “ghoulish and ghastly.”

And Ernest D. battles 

until “the moment between moonset and sunrise.”

Amazed that so much was hiding in an ordinary pond, Ernest D. and dog dive in again, through the dark,

back to his ordinary home which now doesn’t seem quite so small or ordinary.

Ernest D. now sees many extraordinary and exceptional places to explore at home. 

Hanna’s Comments: If you like Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, you’ll love this book! I see big themes of exploration, mystery, wonder, companionship, and of course praise for such an "exceptional" world - all theological ideas. 

Here’s the PBT Technique: Usually when I think about scripture connections to a featured book, I search for distinct Bible stories or a few inspirational verses. This is a traditional way to create content for spiritual experiences. Now and then a book’s story connects with the arc of a Bible character’s story, which is a different kind of connection, usually involving the character's personal attributes and life themes rather than plot details. This technique requires a little more study and a "big picture" orientation to scripture. 

Beyond the Pond connects generally with a large portion of Jacob's story in Genesis, particularly when he leaves home as a young man and returns many years later. If you don’t see those connections, let me know via a comment and I’ll gladly reply with more specifics for all to see. My Life Application Bible has a great profile of Jacob. You’ll easily find other summaries of Jacob’s life on-line.

Here are links to the other 3 posts in the PBT Techniques series. Let's call them secret treasures!

Sources for Inspiration: 9/19/16 

Choosing Portions: 10/17/16

Storytelling: 12/16/16 

Original Publisher & Date: Balzer & Bray, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Jacob’s journey to and from home (Genesis 27-33)

Idea(s) for Application: Connect the broad story of Jacob in Genesis after reading this book to a group of children, emphasizing the draw of mystery, the desire to explore, the constant presence of God (the dog companion), and the cycle of leaving and then returning. Additionally, you’ll find 3 quote graphics on Amazon that you might want to use in a lesson. These are simply posters with a sample of the art and a quote from the book that you can print or show on a screen.