Is Prayer Saying Something?

Here's another brand new book that can lead to a rich discussion of prayer as well as many other theological ideas. I'm sure it will show up in my PBT Grab & Go series someday. There's lots of treasure here!

Picture Book: Say Something

Author & Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Summary: This author is known for encouraging readers to creatively dream, hope, and do to bring about a better world. 

He empowers us to speak up in all sorts of verbal

 and nonverbal ways. 

Say something with your presence

or your courage.

Sometimes actions speak louder and are more lasting (and beautiful) than words. 

 Literary and 

science types are represented.

 Even a sense of fashion gets a nod.

Creative justice is a hallmark here, individual and corporate. 

And there's a warning that doubt and much patience may follow.

Every double page spread offers fertilizer for activists, prophets, futurists, and peacemakers, in other words people doing God's work for the sake of the world.

Hanna’s Comments: I see all sorts of possibilities with this gem! One of the best aspects of faith is believing that you can make a difference in the world. Hope and creativity are on every double page spread and image. Want a creative lesson on prayer? Ask before each page turn, "How can prayer be a part of this? Don't forget to talk about how The Holy Spirit empowers our messages and manner and how scripture gives us guidance and many excellent (and a few not so excellent) role models. Give your audience permission to step out in courage and say something! With God's help it just might bless the world!    

Original Publisher & Date: Orchard, 2019

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: This book can easily be connected to an individual or group of prophets in the Hebrew scriptures or the individuals who began the early church. Scriptures about hope are easily connected as are the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Also, What does the Lord require of you... (Micah 6:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Let this book guide a conversation that broadens the concept of prayer during a lesson or sermon for children, youth, and/or adults.

Ocean Vocation

I was able to visit the ocean last week! In my opinion, there is no more inspirational natural beauty. The post below features a book about Jacques Cousteau. We ocean-lovers, not to mention oceanographers and those who are worried about the state of today’s oceans, owe a great deal to this man and the work that is still being done in his name. Praise be to those who find their passion (aka vocation) early in life and their work benefits the entire world! 

Picture Book: The Fantastic Undersea Life                                                              of Jacques Cousteau

Author & Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino

Summary: Jacques Cousteau was a sickly French boy whose doctor suggested he swim to build strength. He also loved gadgets, cameras especially. These early experiences would guide his life's work.

His desire to view under the sea and his disdain for the limits of diving suits of his day compelled him to explore with other contraptions. Eventually he invented the Aqua-Lung which allowed divers to breath underwater while swimming. 

Cousteau's strong desire to better see what was under the surface led to inventing a waterproof camera and underwater lights. The mystery of the silent ocean was now much more accessible. The first of his Calypso ships, still widely known internationally, was purchased. 

Meanwhile, a team was recruited for filming their many global explorations . 

The Silent World was Cousteau's first widely-released film. It's audiences were amazed by the ocean's creatures. It was "the first full-length, full-color underwater film." Many TV shows were to follow. This French oceanographer would become a world celebrity.

Even Antarctic oceans were not too far, too deep, or too cold for this team!

The team's next invention was the Diving Saucer, capable of carrying 2 people into the deep ocean. 

Cousteau's great hope was finding a way to live under the sea so they invented underwater labs where scientists would stay for weeks. Alas, our bodies need for sunlight could not be overcome so Cousteau's permanent undersea dwellings were not possible. 

Eventually, return trips to particular oceans showed evidence of death and destruction from pollution. The world's foremost ocean explorer became the world's ocean ambassador, documenting their deterioration and passionately declaring a need for change. His was an early prophetic voice of doom if humanity did not protect its oceans and the treasures and necessities they held.

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I run across a picture book biography that connects strongly to a biblical figure. Do you see the connections to Jeremiah whose life was spent warning the people of Jerusalem of the doom and destruction that was to come? There are many possibilities here to talk about God-ordained vocations, particularly as they relate to ecology and justice since deteriorating oceans are negatively affecting humans in numerous ways. Another approach for this book in ministry is simply to do a lesson on God's glory in the oceans. What amazing evidence of God's creative spirit! Help your audience imagine earlier generations with no way of knowing there were such creatures as tiger fish or even otters and dolphins and then seeing those creatures on screen in full color in their homes. According to Wikipedia, Cousteau in last book, The Human, The Orchid, and the Octopus, wrote “The glory of nature provides evidence that God exists.” In the back of the book, you’ll find a time line of important events in Cousteau’s life as well as a list of other resources. Can’t find this book? Check out Manfish by Berne & Puybaret or Who Was Jacques Cousteau by Medina and Putra.

Original Publisher & Date: Knopf, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: Digital

Scripture Connections: Various verses from the book of Jeremiah; I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… (John 15:16); Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned and to which God has called. (1 Corinthians 7:17); Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to inspire art or science activities about the oceans with children in your faith community or a vocational retreat for older teens looking to connect their spiritual passions with ecological or justice work. 

Favorite PBT Posts: The 1st Crayon Book!

Crayons are something special for adults! Like picture books, they tap into feelings of nostalgia or a simpler time. A big box of 64 is a metaphor for the breadth of creativity and possibility that I wish I hadn't left behind in childhood. 

The author/illustrator duo, whose books are featured below and on Monday, offer a new (and clever) way to think about crayons. This is one of my favorite PBT posts and very timely given the Times Up Movement! The book's sequel will be re-posted next time. Enjoy!

Picture Book: The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers 

Summary: When Duncan pulls out his crayons at school, he finds a stack of letters instead. 

Each crayon has written him a letter of complaint. Here are a few of the hilarious examples: 

The red crayon is working too hard, not even getting off for Christmas!

The white crayon is used mainly on white paper so it feels misused and empty. 

The black crayon is only used to draw the outline of things. It’s not fair! The pink crayon hasn’t been used once! You can guess why. 

After all the letters are read, Duncan turns in a new piece of art that is very different from his usual productions. The result is unique and praised by the teacher. Clearly the crayons have been heard and change is the result.

Hanna’s Comments: Immediately, I saw 2 ways this clever book can be connected to scripture. I'm sure there are others. My first reaction was to focus on the tone of these letters. The Psalms are full of complaints, called lamentations. A lesson on this kind of prayer can be very eye-opening for children and adults. The fun of the crayons balances the negative emotions you are exploring. Secondly, I thought about the biblical prophets and the phrase “speaking truth to power.” Sometimes the right words to the right people can bring forth positive change with regards to injustice, neglect, or inefficient systems. That’s what happens in this book and that's what drives positive change, like justice movements. Justice is one of the priorities of most religions in the world. Keep in mind that there is a lot of text in this book. I suggest reading a few crayons' letters per sitting if your children are easily distracted. You could do a whole series of lessons or a week of arts camp with the ideas in this book and its sequel. The new book is about a different group of crayons that Duncan abandoned. They want him to rescue them. Sounds pretty biblical too! It’s called The Day the Crayons Came Home. Comment added later: Since the great popularity of this series, there are several products that you can purchase. This one really peaked my interest. 

Original Publisher & Date: Philomel, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
Available in Spanish: Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: I pour out my complaint before God, I tell my trouble before God (Psalm 142:2) – search on Google “psalms of complaint" for more options; What does the Lord require of you but to do justice… (Micah 6:8); other scriptures or biblical stories about speaking truth to power

Idea(s) for Application: Read this fun book and it's sequel to a group of children, teens, or adults in lessons on psalms of complaint or speaking truth to power when doing justice. 

Growl as Gift

Picture Book: The Story of Growl

Author & Illustrator: Judy Horacek

Summary: Horacek's clever tale features a small monster named Growl, for obvious reasons. 

Growl lives in a castle at the end of her street. 

There her neighbors don’t appreciate her hyperactivity 

 or her favorite past-time. 

Growl never stops growling! 

She even has a little song she loves to sing about her particular passion! 

One day she thinks the perfect place to let go a big one is across the fence at her unsuspecting neighbors, during afternoon tea!

The neighbors are not pleased. 

They call the police who respond with swift limits. 

Growl is so sad! Time slows, and she is hyper no longer,

"Running is hard when you're trying not to cry." 

Sleeping is hard too. While awake, she spies a prowler in the neighbors' yard trying to steal the afternoon tea set!" 

  

She can't help herself! 

The neighbors are grateful, especially that she has saved their afternoon tea set! 

Maybe her growling isn't so bad after all they reason! They trash the sign. The police agree, explaining that it "was much too quiet in your neighborhood." 

Growl is so very happy. She can growl again!

And sing her little song! 

But not at afternoon tea, where instead, Growl enjoys her neighbors, their tea, and their afternoon tea set. 

After tea?

 Everybody growls!

Hanna’s Comments: I love this character! I can’t tell you how many people in my church family have a little bit of Growl in them, including myself at times. I bet you can relate. One of my church’s priorities is to “encourage authenticity.” On our website, we suggest you leave your “church face” behind and come as you are. That might result in some complaints, but even the Bible has plenty of complainers. Remember all those lamentations! And what about the prophets? I don’t imagine Isaiah or Jeremiah spoke with soft, quiet voices. I suspect they growled a lot and weren't popular in their neighborhood. What else can you do when God is no longer worshiped or justice is forgotten? The heart of this little parable is a story of neighbors trying to get along. Despite early prejudices and fearful misunderstandings, (Sound relevant?), they discover that even a growl can be a gift and a fun pastime with a friend.

Original Publisher & Date: Kane/Miller, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:11); Scripture concepts of lamenting and the growling of prophets

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children to help them understand that all sorts of people are found in the scriptures (and in faith families), even those who lament or growl for justice. God’s image is in each one, and we are called to be their neighbors.