PBT Redux #26 - Flossie and the Fox

Picture Book: Flossie & the Fox
Author: Patricia McKissack
Illustrator: Rachel Isadora
Summary: In rich dialect, McKissack offers a folktale from her story-telling grandfather. Big Mama asks young Flossie to deliver some eggs to the neighboring farm. Flossie begins her journey wondering what a fox looks like. When Fox introduces himself hoping for the eggs, he is puzzled that the little girl isn't afraid. Flossie insists she'll not be afraid until Fox offers proof that he is indeed a fox. Fox's pride is hurt so he lists all the reasons he is a fox. For each argument, Flossie insists that Fox is instead another animal. Eventually, Flossie lures Fox to the road where a neighbor's hound is waiting. As Fox runs from the hound, Flossie confesses that she recognized Fox all along. She heads toward the neighbor's farm with the eggs, having outfoxed the fox.

Hanna’s Comments: I love a tale with a smart female at the center! Her youth is an additional benefit. Even young children will identify with her. Consider steering your audience’s conversation towards issues of bravery and intelligence in the face of evil. Then take Fox's point of view and talk about how temptation and pride lure us into trouble. Flossie handles her fears cunningly, but the fox’s greed and pride tempt him to wander into a dangerous situation. 
Publisher & Date of Publication: Dial Books, 1986
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Eve’s conversation with the snake (Genesis 3); Be strong and courageous… for the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)
Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this picture book when teaching the story of Eve’s temptation by the snake in Genesis. Draw connections between the fox’s pride and Eve’s pride. Praise Flossie’s self-determination and cleverness.

Perfection

Want a simple picture book that is a metaphor for life? Here you go.

Picture Book: Perfect Square 

Author & Illustrator: Michael Hall

Summary: A square begins as perfection 

and very, in fact perfectly, happy. 

But something changes it. Holes are punched. Pieces are cut. The perfect square is no more. 

It makes the best of the changes and becomes a gurgling fountain. 

 Then tearing happens. What next? 

 A garden. 

Then it is shredded into strips of itself 

which is perfect for a park.

Next comes shattering. 

 Bridge building is better. 

 Being snipped into ribbons is different. 

This leads to an unusual river. 

Next comes crumpling, wrinkling, and more ripping. 

The result looks a lot like a mountain.

The square waits.  

It's perspective is changed. It feels too limited by the corners, the 4 equal sides so... 

it becomes a window, 

a window... 

and... 

a fountain that gurgles with joy.

Hanna’s Comments: I love the creativity of this book! Oh to have such talent! If your audience is like me, they might be a little bothered that the words here don't seem quite true. Obviously, the changes are happening to multiple squares. I've represented the author/illustrator's words above, but be sure to ask your audience why Hall might have chosen to keep the story singular while the illustrations show multiple squares being transformed. Each transformations happens on a day of the week so this book can be used with young children to practice saying those words in order. I hope you see the potential here to talk about perfection & imperfection, resurrection, loss and renewal, healing, transformation, vulnerability, and resilience. Hall has another cool book about shapes titled My Heart is Like a Zoo. Every animal in the illustrations is comprised of hearts. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a lesson (or craft) near Valentine’s Day or a lesson focused on God’s heart.  [Here’s] an Amazon link. I’ll likely feature more of Michael Hall’s books later on PBT. His work is so simple but profound!

Original Publisher & Date: Greenwillow, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: Not at present

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will the God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2); If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17); If we love one another, God abides in us and God’s love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to any age group and talk about how difficult experiences bring forth healing transformation. Then talk about how faith informs and directs such resilience. Christ's resurrection is an obvious connection. OR Let this book be a part of a lesson on perfection versus imperfection and pride versus humility. Check out Brene Brown’s work for inspiration, particularly her very entertaining TED Talks [here] and [here.] I recommend viewing them in this order. The faith aspects of her work are obvious.  

PBT Series: God Books #7

Here's another PBT God book, the sequel to Old Turtle, featured in Friday's post. Another book in this series will be highlighted on Friday. Enjoy! 

Picture Book: Old Turtle and the Broken Truth 

Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Summary: In this sequel to Old Turtle, a “truth” falls from the sky but breaks apart.  Animals find 1 piece but drop it after realizing it’s a half-truth. Later, a man finds it and reads “You are loved,” an incomplete message. He assumes this truth is especially for him and keeps it with pride, sharing it with his tribe. They treasure the affirming message and soon have little compassion for Earth and its other inhabitants who begin to suffer in the wake of such pride. Other people begin to war over the half-truth and suffering grows. A brave girl finds Old Turtle, the wisdom character in the previous book, who explains that the found truth is only a broken truth and the world needs the missing part. This mending will happen when all know that “every being is important, and the world was made for each of us.” Old Turtle gives her the missing half. Upon her return, she brings together the 2 pieces and see the whole truth: “You are loved...and so are they.”
Hanna’s Comments: This is a long and wordy tale, but it beautifully offers further reflection on humanity’s place on Earth and our limited understanding of the value of other inhabitants, the love of God that we all share, and how we can all live more peacefully. Whenever you offer such a tale, be sure to connect it to real situations and find the instruction in the experience. Don’t settle for simple enjoyment. Make it meaningful.
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2003
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet, dramatic versions on Youtube
Scripture Connections: The story of Jonah (Jonah 1-4); you shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free (John 8:32); God is love (1 John 4:8b)

Idea(s) for Application: With the examples on Youtube, a youth group or older elementary group could also offer dramatic re-tellings of this book and its prequel. Additionally, simply read or tell this story to a group of children or adults who are talking about truth, wisdom, or God's intention for humanity's relationships with other Earth inhabitants.

PBT Series: God Books #6

One of my newest series is to repost about my PBT God books. God books are picture books that explore the nature of God. Some are secular, with allusions to God that are not obvious. Most, like the book below, have God as their subject. When mentioning God books, I use Old Turtle as an example. It’s a very popular book from the 1990s, but many people don’t know about the two other books in the series. I'll post about them next week! Check out all three books. There are many ministry applications for they are rich with provoking ideas about humans, God, and God's intentions for Earth. 

Picture Book: Old Turtle

Author: Douglas Wood

Illustrator: Cheng-Khee Chee

Summary: Long ago the animals & other inhabitants of Earth argue about God. Each attributes to God characteristics like themselves. The wind argues that God is never still. Then the rock insists that God never moves. The lion describes God as a hunter. The robin claims that God is gentle. Eventually, Old Turtle stops the arguing, offering a description of God that incorporates all the previous ideas and ends simply with “God is.” Old Turtle forewarns of a new animal coming who would be even more like God. Humans do come, but they forget to be like God. When the humans argue about God, they use their power to hurt others and the Earth. A new response comes from the other Earth inhabitants who declare God’s presence in a variety of sources. After a lonely and scary time, the people listen and even begin to see God in one another and the beauty that surrounds them. Old Turtle and God smile.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a fabulous fable exploring ecological responsibility, peace, and our human legacy as being made in God’s image. Interconnections with other inhabitants of Earth are emphasized. Look for posts about the other  two books featuring Old Turtle's wisdom to follow on PBT next week! For you music lovers, a choral symphony has been written based on this picture book.  Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso has written a similar book titled In God’s Name. I highly recommend it as well. It is published by Jewish Lights, a publisher of books for “Peoples of all Faiths, All Backgrounds.”

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1991

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 6 and up, 1st and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Youtube video

Scripture Connections: Humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), I am that I am (Exodus 3:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book before taking a group of children from your faith community to a zoo or in a lesson exploring ecology or being made in God's image.

Big Questions

Picture Book: Life on Mars

Author & Illustrator: Jon Agee

Summary: Alone in his determination to prove life on Mars, 

an astronaut arrives on the planet with a gift of chocolate cupcakes. 

He walks upon the “gloomy” surface,

ready to spy any sign of life. Soon he is spotted 

 and followed, 

but he is oblivious or perhaps his companion is particularly sneaky and shy.

With such a desolate landscape, the astronaut reconsiders his position. “Could anything possibly live here?” 

Hopeless, he decides to go home and drops the gift. 

It is quickly inspected by the Martian. 

 After much wandering and losing his way, 

the astronaut spots a lone flower.  

He picks it to take back to Earth, proof that he was right. 

Soon after, he comes upon his gift, picks it up, and climbs a mountain to seek his spaceship.  

The mountain is unusual in its color, but he doesn't notice.

He finds the spaceship and leaves the planet certain of his success and initial position. 

After blasting toward home, he opens the package believing he is deserving of the cupcakes. 

 Surprise!

Hanna’s Comments: Your children in your faith family or at home will love this story. It’s simple, funny, and profound. The illustrations really tell the story so make sure your audience has a clear view. You’ll be surprised how quickly children can step into conversations about proof or lack of proof where God is concerned. Make sure they understand that you are not saying that God is the Martian although there may be ways the Martian is like God (present or  observant, for instance). There’s a lot to interpret here, particularly the thoughts and feelings of the Martian. Belief seems to be the main theme, but it offers an opportunity to explore several theological ideas such as faith, doubt, exploration, certainty, pride, and wisdom. The concept of plunder comes to mind too. For an adult audience, might this book be a parable for those who are oblivious to and disrespectful of the rich and valid theologies of other faiths? Might the flower be symbolic of natural resources as signs of God’s presence? Is this little gift representing the little bit we might offer in exchange for access to something much richer and perhaps not ours to be accessed? All possible directions this fun book can take you and your listeners.  

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1); for we walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary children, teens, or adults and do some age-appropriate exploring of some of the concepts  and big questions listed above or others you find.  

December Holiday Books 3 & 4

Picture Book: Christmas Cookies:                                                                     Bite Size Holiday Lessons

Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrator: Jane Dyer

Summary: This second book in Rosenthal and Dyer’s series of picture books about cookie baking celebrations is not a book just about baking Christmas cookies. Each double-page spread teaches a key vocabulary word within the fun context. Many have resonance this time of year. Here’s a sample of the text on one page:

                            TRADITION means

     that each year at the same time we make the same

     cookies and wear our special matching aprons.

Other key words include ANTICIPATION, CELEBRATE, CHARITABLE, BELIEVE, JOY, PEACE, and HOPE.

Hanna’s Comments: Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a favorite author. She has a couple of TEDx talks and likes to encourage quirky artistic adventures for everyone. She has written 2 nonfiction books for adults that I have enjoyed. Here at PBT, I’ve featured 2 of her many clever picture books. More will be featured later. Check out Spoon [here] and Yes Day! [here]. I like this book and the others in this series, because they are not just offering the communal and scrumptious delights of baking cookies together. They also offer some instructions on how to live better. The recipe is in the back for each kind of cookie baked in each book in the series. This book offers a yummy recipe for Christmas cookies (sugar cookies).

Original Publisher & Date: Harper Collins, 2008

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4); eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. (Proverbs 24:13); God gives good things to those who ask for them (Matthew 7:11)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to inspire a homeschool, private school, or church school lesson and cookie party on ways to delight in God’s gifts and each other particularly during the holidays of December.

Picture Book: The Donkey’s Christmas Song

Author & Illustrator: Nancy Tafuri

Summary: When a special baby is born in a stable, under a bright star, the donkey of the title is among the animals to desires to welcome him. “How to approach and welcome Baby Jesus?” is the question the donkey considers. The shy donkey fears his bray is too loud. He sees the doves, cows, goats, chicks, and mice offer gentle welcoming songs. Then the baby looks at the shy donkey and smiles. In joyful response, the donkey sings his noisy bray and the baby laughs. Then the donkey snuggles in to keep the babe warm.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is a great tool for introducing the concept of worship and humility to young children. In simple terms, humility is knowing that you are not the center of the room, the family, the classroom, church, the world. In this book, humility is about a desire to worship God. Even little children can learn the importance of being worshipful before God. They can also learn that all loving and humble responses can bring God (and Jesus) joy. Distinguish humility from the characteristic of shyness which is how the donkey is described. Explaining humility's opposite, pride, might be helpful too. Use other stories of Jesus’ humility and other’s humble responses to God to help your children begin to build concepts of worship and humility which will hopefully be life-long lessons.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2002

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about Jesus birth; scriptures about humble worship

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of young children when studying the Nativity story. As described above, emphasize concepts of worship and humility.   

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children # 1

Illustration from cover of Me I Am by Jack Prelutsky & Christine Davenier

Over the course of several blog posts, I’ll be presenting my approach for connecting theological ideas to young children’s secular literature. My premise is that there are several specific theological statements that can be easily adapted and incorporated into a discussion of many secular books for toddlers and preschoolers.

For each blog post, I’ll offer the theological statement, ways you can adapt it for your particular use, a list of PBT books that connect to the statement, the date I posted about each of those books, and at least one new book. To find my detailed post about each book, simply click on the date.

The first theological statement is: 
You are a one-of-a-kind, precious child of God.

There are many books for young children that celebrate the fact that they are unique, valuable, and wonderfully made. I'm simply proposing that you offer your view that God made them that way. When doing so, point out positive aspects of each child and affirm those character traits while giving God the credit. Try not to focus on outward appearances, especially for your girls who might be too often told they are pretty but less often told they are brave or smart.

Today’s feature book is hilarious! What Baby Wants offers a story that children will love in which the title is a mystery to every one of Baby’s huge extended farm family except for his brother. While Baby’s mama gets some much-needed sleep, Baby screams and screams and no wonder! The strategies used to calm him are ridiculous. No baby wants flowers tickling his nose or sheep nibbling his hair. Finally, Baby’s brother feels empowered. He cuddles and kisses him, wraps him in a quilt, and sings him a lullaby. That’s what Baby wants!

Use this book as an invitation for your young audience members to tell you what they can do really well. Be sure to affirm them for their great problem solving like the brother demonstrates in this story. Your children will be delighted and you’ll have the opportunity to give credit to God who created each one-of-a-kind, precious child of God who is getting to hear this silly story.

Picture Book: What Baby Wants

Author: Phyllis Root

Illustrator: Jill Bartow

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick, 1998

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT books that connect with links to posts:

The Big Orange Splot - 7/16/14

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - 7/25/14

Chrysanthemum - 8/24/14

Me I Am - 9/24/14              

Spoon - 10/22/14

I Like Myself! - 12/31/14             

I’d Know You Anywhere - 1/31/15

Only One You - 4/11/15

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 361

Picture Book: A Day’s Work

Author: Eve Bunting

Illustrator: Ronald Himler

Summary: Francisco is a young boy whose grandfather has just arrived from Mexico and speaks no English. It’s Saturday, so grandson and grandfather go to be day laborers. When a man needs one laborer to do some gardening, Francisco convinces him to take them both and tells him that his grandfather is an experienced gardener which is not true. They are given brief instructions on-site to weed a large area, being sure to pull the roots. Then they are left alone. At the end of the day, the employer arrives and is furious that they have pulled the wrong plants. When the grandfather realizes that Francisco lied, he says they will return the next day for free to plant the correct plants. When offered partial payment, the grandfather refuses, saying they will take payment when the job is done. The employer is impressed by the grandfather’s work ethic and says he will hire him again and teach him gardening. Francisco is relieved that more money will be coming into their home.   

Hanna’s Comments: There are several aspects of this story that I think are particularly valuable. One is the context of day laboring which is a very real facet of many cultures that remains hidden to most children. Francisco’s love and pride in his grandfather and his desire to be a working man himself are poignant and realistic. Lastly, there is a struggle for basic needs that is an underlying theme here. Francisco is hoping that they will make enough to have meat for dinner and his grandfather’s presence will make a significant difference in his family’s income. You might want to also consider with your listeners the symbolic meaning of the concept of roots in this story and how it connects with religious values.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 1994

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

PBT Category: Pre 2K 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: affirmation, aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, babies/children, commitment, communication, consequences/punishment, dependence/interdependence, deception/dishonesty/lies, ethics, family, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, goodness, grace, grandparents, labor/work, language/literacy/reading, legacies, Mexico, North America, partners/teamwork, poverty, pride, sin, truth  

Scripture Connections: The story of Ruth and Naomi (the book of Ruth); commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3); train children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6); blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…like a tree that sends out roots by the stream… (Jeremiah 17-7-8); you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend (Ephesians 3:17); walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as you were taught (Colossians 2:6-7); do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9); work heartily, as for the Lord (Colossians 3:23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about integrity in poverty or hard labor, the commandment to not lie, and/or how values are passed on from generation to generation. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 345

Picture Book: Those Shoes

Author: Maribeth Boelts

Illustrator: Nah Z. Jones 

Summary: Jeremy longs for “those shoes”, the ones featured on the big billboard, the ones many other boys are wearing. He especially yearns for them when one of his shoes falls apart at school and he is given a pair of kiddie shoes from the guidance counselor’s box. His classmates laugh at him, but not Antonio. When Jeremy and his grandmother go shoe shopping, they discover the price is too steep. They search at local thrift shops and find a pair. They are tight, but Jeremy is thrilled anyway and takes them home, hoping they will stretch. They don’t stretch, and he gets sores on his feet. He has to resort to wearing the kiddie shoes again. Meanwhile, Jeremy and Antonio become friends. Jeremy notices that Antonio has duct tape holding his shoes together. When Antonio visits Jeremy’s house, he sees “those shoes” and asks Jeremy why he doesn’t wear them. Jeremy shrugs. The next morning Jeremy tries on the too tight shoes one more time and then secretly leaves them on Antonio’s stoop. At school, Jeremy has mixed feelings when Antonio shows up with those shoes on until Antonio quietly thanks Jeremy.   

Hanna’s Comments: This story gets to the heart of issues that many children and teens struggle with, consumerism, brand consciousness, and desiring what peers have. Usually, the crux of these matters are coveting, idolatry, and gluttony, all very human and very common problems that are addressed directly in scripture. I believe it’s good to talk with children directly about these issues, but be honest, not preachy. Confess that these issues don’t go away in childhood. In fact, they often get bigger, more expensive, and more damaging. Share honestly with the children in your faith family about how you personally struggle with status items, coveting, or consumerism. Then talk about confession and repentance. Give them hope for an abundant life that doesn’t involve jealousy, obsession, or being manipulated by marketing.  

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2007

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Video

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: acceptance, adaptations/assimilation, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, conformity, consumerism/consumption/riches, coveting/envy/jealousy, friends/friendship, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s will, grandparents, gratitude/thanksgiving, humility, idolatry, possessions, poverty, pride, sin, wisdom  

Scripture Connections: You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s (Exodus 20:17); you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions (James 4:3); little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about the struggles of coveting, idolatry, and consumerism.