PBT Techniques #11: Object Play

The PBT Techniques series explores unusual ways to use picture books in ministry. If you want to see more of these PBT posts, there are quick links at the end of the post. Also, I mention the work of 2 other authors you should know about: Leanne Hadley and Diane Alber!

Today’s book is excellent, but for a group read aloud it is a bit wordy. Also, the illustration details are many. Some wordplay and geological puns will be beyond the understanding of most elementary-aged children. Instead of reading it aloud, use this book as inspiration for a story you tell with easily found objects.

Whenever a picture book inspires you to tell a story, always say the author's name. When the illustrations are pivotal to the story, as in this book, give the illustrator credit as well. These are not just good ideas; they are ethical practices!

Picture Book: Ricky, the Rock That Couldn’t Roll

Author: Mr. Jay (aka Jason Miletsky)

Illustrator: Erin Wozniak

Summary: This story is about a group of rocks and pebbles who are great friends. They repeatedly race to the top of a hill to enjoy the view and then joyfully roll down, in great communion with the ritual in nature and joy of each other's company. 

Many of the rocks have clever names, and their play is silly and creative. However, Ricky, who is a bystander of the group, was not able to roll. Watching was all he could do because of his flat bottom. His friends, like the friends in Mark 2 who creatively drop a peer through the roof to Jesus, are determined to help. Unlike the biblical story,  many of the rocks' initial ideas are disastrous!

When it starts to rain, Ricky's friends have an idea. They carry Ricky down to the mud and help him make himself round. Finally, Ricky is able to roll and fully enjoy the play and his loving friends. Now they are a better community because Ricky is able to participate!

Hanna’s Comments: If only all Christian communities were so determined to accommodate and include! This story has much potential for discussion and application to loving practices at church and at a school! For the object play, simply collect a variety of rocks and pebbles. Then tell the story your own way. You will need to simplify the story a lot! You'll likely want to use brown modelling clay or dough for mud. Don't feel like you must provide a prop for the hill. Be imaginative with your movements. The children will get it. If you want a hill, use a pillow or cushion and a green pillow case or thin towel. You might want to gather more flat rocks so that all your children can hold and re-create their own versions of Ricky. 

If you tend to think metaphorically, as I do, you'll realize that this story has a great deal of depth if we consider mud as a metaphor for difficulty, struggle, or even the terrible hardships that may lead to resilience. It can even be a metaphor for sin which could lead to ironic connections to baptism. This simple story would be an excellent children's sermon because it has that potential for depth and application to all ages!

Stones, like picture books, have great potential for ministry! My friend Leanne Hadley, an ordained pastor, has designed a beautiful tool for helping children be open and vulnerable in their verbal sharing, especially in times of stress, grief, and crisis. Check out all her work HERE.    OR 

her short YouTube video demonstrating this tool: Holy Listening Stones  

Additionally, there are several other great picture books about stones by Diane Alber. She explores important social-emotional skills in these. She even has some books about scribbles - another easy possibility for object play.  Check them out as well HERE.

Original Publisher: Lyric & Stone, 2018

Age Appropriateness: 7 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Friends drop a paralyzed man through the roof to be healed by Jesus (Mark 2: 1-12); Jesus uses mud to heal a blind man. (John 9:1-7) 

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: In my Trinity Treasures curriculum, I have based a preschool Sunday school lesson on this relatable Bible story for Year B, on the 7th Sunday of Epiphany when Mark 2:1-12 is listed.  

PBT Applications: As described above, to better keep children's attention, tell this story using objects. Simplify the story and tie it to Mark 2 by connecting the actions and motivations of the friends in both stories. I once heard a sermon about those friends. The speaker argued they must have been adolescents because of their audacity and determination to push through a boundary! I always think of those biblical characters in that way. After telling the story, you may want to use 5 stones to tell that Bible story. OR Have your children act it out. Unless you're telling the story in a children's sermon, consider ending the lesson with some dancing to "rock & roll!"

Links to other posts about PBT Techniques: 

#1 Arts Camp Inspiration

#2 Choosing Portions of a Story

#3 Storytelling

#4 Using the Whole Story

#5 Using Poetry in Ministry

#6 Illustration Inspiration

#7 Flip-Flopping

#8 Adapt for a Play

#9 Dance!

#10 Shallow to Deep

If you are interested in learning more about my 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 agree to fill out the monthly feedback form.

Darkness & Fear

Picture Book: The Dark

Authors: Lemony Snicket

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: Lazlo is a young boy who is afraid of the dark. The dark is sometimes in Lazlo's closet or behind the shower curtain, but mostly it lives in the basement. 

At night, the dark goes outside and spreads itself against the windows and doors of Lazlo's house. 

Lazlo greets the dark each morning, hoping it will stay in the basement.

But one night, the dark visits Lazlo in his room (the nightlight goes out) and says that it wants to show Lazlo something... 

in the basement. The dark lures Lazlo to a bottom drawer of a chest, all the while explaining why the things Lazlo is afraid of are important, especially the dark. 

"Without the dark, everything would be light, and you would never know you needed a light bulb." 

Lazlo takes the light bulb, says thanks to the dark, and returns to his bedroom. 

When Lazlo visits the dark the next morning, he notices how the open drawer looks like the dark is smiling. 

The dark is never scary to Lazlo after that night. 

Hanna’s Comments: If you know the work of Lemony Snicket, you know he is an expert at dark humor and dark wisdom. Here he plays with concepts of fear and darkness but also courage and perseverance; all are important subjects for people of faith to explore, especially knowing we can have coping strategies and spiritual practices in particular. Recently, I read a beautiful article about the death of writer Rachel Held Evans. At her death, our world lost a great Christian witness, but her 2 young children lost much more. The article mentions that RHE often read this book to her young son. Heartrendingly, his experiences with this book and the conversations they likely had during the reading might help him grieve the loss of his mother. Children are naturally fascinated by fear and darkness. They want to be more resilient during such experiences. Reading books like this one and others are one way to encourage more meaningful spiritual formation. For adults this book could introduce a small group based on Barbara Brown Taylor's excellent book Learning to Walk in the Dark. On Sunday, I plan to teach a lesson to elementary children by reading this book and Caroline Woodward's Singing Away the Dark, another PBT favorite. Then I'll simply guide the children in a conversation comparing and contrasting the two books. Afterwards, I'll tie their ideas to our summer sermon series featuring some OT heroes who all experienced fear and showed courage. 

Original Publisher & Date: Little Brown, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

Scripture Connections: Be strong & courageous... the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9); Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5); …in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: As described above, this book would be a great tool for exploring darkness and fear with children and adults.

Generous Finding

Picture Book: Found

Author & Illustrator: Salina Yoon

Summary: This simple but profound story begins with Bear finding a very special toy bunny. 

Bear believes someone must be very unhappy and worried because the bunny is lost. Besides, it seems sad too.

Bear takes the toy home and determines to help the bunny return.

Bear creates a generous number of fliers 

and spreads them for his neighbors to see. 

Bear also checks out a nearby collection of notices of lost treasures. He's surprised by how many are lost. No bunny is listed among them 

so he keeps searching high... 

and low for possible owners.

Meanwhile, Bear grows quite attached to the bunny who no one is claiming. 

Bear and the bunny have many days of fun together. 

 On one of their fun outings, Moose approaches 

 and recognizes Floppy. 

 Bear has mixed feelings but knows Floppy is not his. 

Floppy is now home in Moose's arms. Bear says goodbye to Floppy.  

Then Moose has a very wise change of heart. 

Moose realizes many days have passed and some things have changed for Moose, Floppy, and Bear. 

Moose asks Bear to promise to take care of Floppy. Bear's response?  

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect PBT book for very young children, but if you can find a version that is not a board book, read it to older audiences for the underlying messages are many and rich with meaning. You could talk about tenderness with those who are lost, gentleness, empathy, treasures, ownership, legacy, and generosity which is in every page of this book. There is even a God symbol here as most illustrations include a lone witness in the form of a small yellow bird who is watching Bear be so generous with his time and efforts. Also, point out that Bear is quite the problem solver, so proactive and tireless, and he never names the bunny but refers to it as Floppy as soon as the owner does! Salina Yoon says this book was inspired by lost and found posters in her neighborhood. Be sure to carefully look at the notice board in the illustrations. I especially like Yoon's Penguin series (also in board book form). [Here's] a Christmas book in that series that I've featured in a PBT post about December holiday books. If you want a great picture book about being lost, I highly recommend Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson. Find it at PBT [here]. 

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio CD

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about generosity, The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40); Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be (Matthew 6:21); the lost parables (Luke 15:1-32)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children and talk about the spiritual practice of generosity as demonstrated by Bear and Moose or talk about what it means to be lost, found, or at home.

A Surprising Heaven

Here in The States, we have a holiday coming up. Summer holidays are often celebrated outside in community. This picture book is about one neighborhood's strange, unexpected gift. One young leader helps them choose to be open to its possibilities and come together to bring about positive change. It has all sorts of applications for faith communities too!  

Picture Book: A Bus Called Heaven

Author & Illustrator: Bob Graham

Summary: This story begins at little Stella’s house where an abandoned bus appears with no explanation.  

Taped on the front is a hand-painted saying “Heaven.” The community stops their hurrying by and gathers to puzzle over this strange gift. Stella says it's as sad as an abandoned whale. 

She goes inside and finds trash, debris, and possibilities. 

Stella says to her neighbors, "It could be ours." 

Stella's mom determines that it needs to come off the road so together they roll it into Stella's yard, but it still sticks out some. 

 Heaven becomes a gathering place for conversation 

 and play. 

 There is work to do: clearing & scrubbing.

After some graffiti artists leave their mark, they are recruited to "make the whole bus sparkle." 

 Stella gives them some of her art to copy. 

Then the neighbors bring donations including a Table Soccer set. Now Heaven is homey, 

and yummy.

Soon Heaven becomes a second home for neighbors who had never spent all that much time together. Life returns to the bus. 

Sharing and caring soars. There's music, dancing, picnics, and laughter until... 

 another surprise arrives.

Because Heaven sticks out onto the sidewalk, it must be towed. 

A question arises from the crowd:   

 They follow Heaven to a new home and lament. 

The junkyard boss shows the regulation, "Thou shalt not park on the street," and proclaims that Heaven is headed to the crusher.    

Stella challenges the driver to a Table Soccer game. If she wins, she gets the bus. 

 Victory!  

After showing the driver, a new family of birds living in Heaven's engine, the driver explains the bus must be moved to a private space. 

Little Stella has an idea and all push Heaven to a new home in the vacant lot behind Stella's house.    

 All are worn out, but they're worn out together. 

Once they recoup, there is music and dancing! Heaven for sure! 

Hanna’s Comments: A community is transformed, and a little girl finds her voice. Concepts of heaven and the Kingdom of God are all over this book as are allusions to the early Christian church's inclination to share and Jesus' teachings about loving neighbor. All of these ideas are potential for great conversation with a group of children or adults in loving faith community. If you have a big change, here's a tool for exploring meaning and possibility. If your group needs to be motivated to invest in their surroundings, this book could begin a conversation. Be specific about the differences the bus made for individuals, not just the group. Also, talk about creative problem solving being sourced by God. Emphasize the kindness and gentleness modeled in these pages as opposed to the rudeness we sometimes see in the media and even in communities of faith. 

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick, 2011

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12); a little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6); Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:31, 1 John 4:7), Loving community (Acts 2; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adult leaders in a church who are dealing with a significant change.