PBT Redux #25 – Our Tree Named Steve

Here's one of my favorite books from that first year of PBT when I featured a book a day. If for adults, just read it and hear them make easy connections to scripture and their personal spirituality. If for children or teens, you might need to coax a little. Like many of the other 364 PBT books that year, this book is full of inspiring illustrations. These are especially funny!

Picture Book: Our Tree Named Steve
Author: Alan Zweibel 
Illustrator: David Catrow 
Summary: A father writes his children a letter in which he celebrates all the gifts that have been given to them by Steve, the large, unusual tree near their home. Steve (how the youngest child said "tree") has become an important part of their family history: playmate, shelter, place of important milestones. Dad explains that the tree was knocked down by a storm but has been transformed into a tree house in another tree in their yard and will continue to nurture & protect them. 
Hanna’s Comments: This comical tale has such rich symbolic undercurrents and is full of potential for ties to scripture and spiritual transformation. You'll easily elicit conversations about important elements of family life such as play, ritual, protection, & sacrifice. Tie these to all that is holy at church and in nature. Allusions to Jesus' sacrifice are here as well as Steve as a symbol of God who is ever-present, ever-nurturing, and ever-loving.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Puffin, 2005
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: God’s presence with us, giving us rest (Exodus 33:14), God’s plans for our welfare & future (Jeremiah 29:11), Jesus’ sacrifice (John 3:16), I am with you always (Matthew 28:20); Zacchaeus in the tree (Luke 19:1-10); Like the father here, Paul wrote letters to convey the meaning of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. 
Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book at an Arbor Day Celebration, a faith family festival, a family reunion, or in a church Sunday school class during Lent. 

PBT Series Grab & Go #10 - He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

I’m on vacation so I am featuring again a post from one of the best picture books that PBT has to offer for ministry. Last Friday and today, I’ve added to my Grab & Go series. These books have such strong connections to scripture that little planning is necessary. Their content is rich and their illustrations are gorgeous. Your audiences will enjoy them and find valuable meaning. 

Picture Book: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands  

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Summary: This popular American spiritual and favorite song for children to sing is beautifully illustrated by one of my favorite picture book artists. He captures a loving family along with children’s drawings. This picture book celebrates God’s care and God's gift of the natural world. Nelson states that he wished to portray the world as a child might see it, vast and beautiful.
Hanna’s Comments: Kadir Nelson offers a historical note about this well-known spiritual and includes the score. The text is a little different from the words you may be used to singing which allows for some stunning illustrations. He includes:

He's got my brothers and my sisters...

He's got the rivers and the mountains...

He's got you and he's got me...
Publisher & Date of Publication: Dial, 2005 

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

Formats other than Book: Audible  

Scripture Connections: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers (Psalm 8:3); The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1); For those who love God all things work together for good (Romans 8:28); For by him all things were created (Colossians 1:16)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to accompany a lesson on God’s gift of creation, especially its diversity and God’s loving care.

Touching Conversations

Picture Book: God Made All of Me:                                                                A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies

Author: Justin S. & Lindsay A. Holcomb

Illustrator: Trish Mahoney

Summary: This book begins with praise from 10 psychologists, child advocates, and theologians. Next comes a detailed letter to parents explaining the importance of the message inside. Here’s a startling fact:

 Scripture is sprinkled throughout the pages.

A story begins within the context of a traditional family with 2 very inquisitive children whose questions will encourage questions from the listeners. 

It seems the older child is very comfortable with these messages and has likely heard them before. This conversation is for the younger sister. 

Here’s the heart of the message which you’ll find in the letter to parents:

God made all of you. Every part of your body is good, and some parts are private. He made the parts of your body that other people see every day, and he made your private parts. Every part is good because God made every part and called them all good. 

I especially like the less significant message that says if you don’t want to be touched (even via a hug from a relative), that’s your choice. It should be respected.  

If you are touched anyway, tell parents, teachers, or doctors. When the child responds that these people are sometimes too busy, the children are instructed to "keep asking for help." 

Subjects like bath time and doctor visits are discussed. Anatomically correct names for body parts are used.  

The children are warned about several ploys that abusers often use. They are told that rewards and games should never be a part of touching or showing private parts. Secrets are never a good situation. 

Because this family doesn’t keep secrets, the parents explain that they should be told immediately if anyone asks the children to keep a secret. Secrets are distinguished from surprises, two easily confused concepts.

The last section is a list of 9 Ways to Protect Your Children from Sexual Abuse. The book is dedicated to Grace, an organization of professionals that provides abuse prevention training and other services. 

Hanna’s Comments: This book is designed for parents to read to 2-8 year olds and is a tool for beginning and continuing conversations and questions about sexual abuse. Typically, I feature books to read in ministry. Today I’m offering a book for those who do children’s ministry (whether ordained or not) to have handy to pass on to parents to read with their children. 

This book isn't designed for those times when a question of sexual abuse arises. Instead it is for your children’s protection from and empowerment in sexually inappropriate situations. These conversations are best done in a loving, non-threatening home and at the doctor’s office. 

If a reading is going to happen at your place of worship, parental involvement in planning is crucial. Make sure parents have read the book beforehand. I recommend having them help design the program and make all parents welcome. If parents in your faith family are suspected of such behavior, then you must report your concerns to the appropriate government authorities. 

Whoever reads this book should feel welcome to substitute gender-neutral words for God. I typically use Post-it notes to make such changes before reading. It is crucial that these conversations reflect your theological beliefs and spiritual values and your children feel positive about God. 

Original Publisher & Date: New Growth Press, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Digital

Scripture Connections: God created human beings in God’s own image and called us good (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Loan or give this book to parents in your faith family when they want to have a conversation with young children that will protect and empower them should they encounter inappropriate sexual advances or contact. 

PBT Grab & Go #7 - Our Tree Named Steve

Thanks for your patience as my broken elbow heals. Here's another PBT repost of one of the many excellent picture books here at PBT that you can just grab, go, and trust that rich, meaningful conversation will follow.

Picture Book: Our Tree Named Steve

Author: Alan Zweibel 
Illustrator: David Catrow
Summary: A father writes his children a letter in which he celebrates all the gifts that have been given to their family by Steve, the large, unusual tree near their home. Steve (how the youngest child said "tree") has become an important part of their family history: playmate, shelter, place of dreaming and important milestones.... The dad explains that the tree was knocked down by a storm while the children have been absent, but Steve's wood has been moved to a nearby tree and transformed into a tree house. Despite the storm, Steve will continue to nurture & protect them all for a very long time.  
Hanna’s Comments: This delightful tale has such symbolic undercurrents and is full of potential for ties with scripture and conversations about important elements of family life and spiritual journey such as presence, play, ritual, protection, & sacrifice. Allusions to Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection are here as well as Steve being a symbol of God who is ever-present, ever-nurturing, ever-loving. Your audience (of any age) will love Steve and perhaps think differently about the trees in their life.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Puffin, 2005
Age and Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: God’s presence with us, giving us rest (Exodus 33:14), God’s plans for our welfare & future (Jeremiah 29:11), Jesus’ sacrifice (John 3:16), I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)
Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book at an Arbor Day Celebration, an outdoor faith family festival or retreat, a family reunion, or in a church Sunday school class during Lent.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 330

Picture Book: It Takes a Village

Author & Illustrator: Jane Cowen-Fletcher

Summary: It is market day in Yemi’s African village. Yemi’s mother, who will be busy selling mangos, has asked Yemi to look after Kokou, her little brother. Feeling very grown up, Yemi proclaims that she will look after Kokou “all by herself.” Her mother knows better as do the women of the market when this situation is explained to them. Kokou wanders off the first chance he gets. As she frantically searches for him, Yemi imagines the specific difficulties Kokou is having, but each time the reader sees that he is actually being tended to by various villagers at the market and having a great time. Finally Yemi yells out that Kokou is lost. Nearby a stranger asks, “Is this your Kokou?” Yemi thanks him, and he explains that others took care of Kokou while pointing to where Kokou came from. Yemi and Kokou retrace his steps and thank all the new friends in their village who helped Yemi take care of Kokou. Hurrying back to their mother, Yemi is anxious, for they have been gone a long time, but their mother hasn’t worried. She explains, “You weren’t alone today, Yemi. We don’t raise our children by ourselves. It takes a village to raise a child.”

Hanna’s Comments: The words of Yemi’s mother are a well-known African proverb that has seemed very true to me since long before I had my children. I think I agree with it so whole-heartedly because I had the privilege of growing up in a large extended family and a small church that was like family. Other important individuals in children’s lives make up their village: teachers, coaches, school counselors, neighbors, etc. Encourage this kind of investment in all the children in your faith community so that parents of young children can feel a little less daunted by the crucial and taxing task of raising children. Once grown, the children will look back on the many nurturing relationships they were blessed to have and just might be the adults your community needs to lead the next generation.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1994

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, affection, Africa, anxiety/worry, babies/children, belonging, body/body of Christ, caring/tending, community, dependence/interdependence, found, goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, growing up/growth, helping, lost, love, mentors/teachers, mothers, neighbors, nurturing, parents/parental love, protecting/protection, relationships, safety, wisdom 

Scripture Connections: Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2); let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book at a parenting class in your religious community or when training a team of those who will care for children while parents are away.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 318

Picture Book: Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: Lazy Bird Mayzie takes advantage of dependable Horton. Despite his size, she begs the elephant to sit on her egg while she takes a beach vacation. Horton gently sits on the egg and waits. The weather turns horrid for Horton while Mayzie enjoys herself on a beach and decides to never go back. Through autumn and winter, Horton faithfully sits, reminding himself, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred per cent!” In spring, animals tease Horton. When 3 hunters come and aim their rifles at Horton, he holds his head high and refuses to run away. The hunters are so amazed by this sight that they take the tree, Horton, and the egg all the way to New York. They sell the collection to the circus where it goes on tour all the way down to Florida. There they meet Lazy Bird Mayzie who claims the egg just as it starts hatching. The cracked egg reveals a little Horton with wings, an elephant bird. A happy ending follows. Horton is allowed to go home with his baby.

Horton’s next story has him hearing a very faint call for help from a small speck of dust. Horton gently captures the speck and places it on a clover. A mother kangaroo and baby pass by so Horton tells them about the voice, but they respond with unbelief and disdain. Horton declares, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Horton realizes the speck is in danger so he plucks the clover and carries it into the jungle. Meanwhile, Horton begins a conversation with the voice on the speck. It is a Who, the Mayor of Who-ville, who is thankful for Horton’s protection. Monkeys overhear Horton talking so they steal the clover and take it to an eagle who flies with it far away and drops it into a field of clover. Horton diligently follows and is able to find the clover after picking millions of them. The Whos report their damage and beg for Horton’s continued protection. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have convinced others to cage Horton and boil the clover. Horton responds with a plea to the Whos to all shout together so that they can be heard by the other animals. The Whos cry together, “We are here! We are here!” But the other animals can’t hear them. Horton compels them to make more noise, suggesting that someone might be “shirking.” The mayor finds a young, quiet Who so he takes him to the top of a tower and compels him, saying “every voice counts.” Finally, the Whos are loud enough to be heard by the other animals. The kangaroo promptly promises to protect the Whos as well and they are safe.

Hanna’s Comments: I think children will respond easily to these books if they don’t already know them. They likely know the Whos from Who-ville because of How the Grinch Stole Christmas so they already have a connection to these stories. They will be glad to hear that the Whos were saved by the “Smallest of All.” In the book on the left Horton says, “I’ll stay and be faithful.” This statement and others, including Horton’s quotations above, directly relate to messages in our Holy Scriptures. Note that these are quite lengthy picture books. Consider the attention spans of your audience and don’t try to do them both in one sitting.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1940 (book on left) 1954 (book on right)

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

# of Pages: 64 (book on left) 72 (book on right)

Available in Spanish? For Horton Hears a Who only

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio, Videos are available on Youtube.com and there is a feature length movie of Horton Hears a Who. Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Both are Classics

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, adoption, awe, babies/children, belonging, betrayal, bonds/connections, caring/tending, challenges, commitment, communication, covenant/promises/vows, dependence/interdependence, differences, difficulties, eggs/seeds, evangelism, faith/faithfulness, fathers, flowers/leaves/trees, helping, heroes, kindness, life, listening, mission, noise/sounds/voice, nurturing, parents/parental love, patience, poaching/stealing/theft, protecting/protection, reverence, righteousness, sacrifice, servant/service/serving, steadfastness, storms, waiting, weather

Scripture Connections: Do not break a vow (Numbers 30:2); wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage (Psalm 27:14)

Idea(s) for Application:  These books connect to scriptures about compassion, faithfulness, commitment, perseverance, protection, and many others. Also, for adult or youth programming, consider checking out The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss by James W. Kemp. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 161

Picture Book: What is My Song?

Author: Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn

Illustrator: Francisco Miranda

Summary: Deo, an East African boy, begins this story by asking, ”When did I become me?” Then he explains it happened when his mother first had an idea of him. She listened in her heart until she heard “the special song of me.” She shared it with his father and the other women of the village so that the first thing Deo hears in life is the women singing his song. Everyone learns his song. When he is crying, they sing to him. When he saves his baby brother from fire and his sister from drowning, they sing to him. His song is about protecting people. When in anger Deo throws a stone at a boy and blinds him, Deo cannot remember his song. Instead of retribution, his community surrounds him and sings his song to him so that he will remember he is a protector. He does and pledges to be the boy’s eyes if his friend’s sight does not return. Deo explains that his song never leaves him even if he forgets it for a while. It is sung to him at other milestones, and when he dies, it will be sung to him as he returns to God. This book ends with: “Who are you? Put your hand on your heart. Can you feel your heart beating? Take deep breaths and listen deep inside your hear. Can you hear your song?”

Hanna’s Comments: This traditional East African tale is beautifully told. The idea of having a song seems to be offered as a metaphor for a God-given purpose, present even before birth and after death.  Check in the back for A Note to Parents and Other Caregivers that explains that we don’t need to teach our children their special purpose in life. Rather, we need to help them remember what they already know.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Paulist Press, 2005

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3 and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Traditional, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: Africa, babies/children, beginnings/morning, belonging, birth/birthday, call/calling/vocation, choir/music/singing/songs, communion/Eucharist, community, dance/dancing, emotions/feelings, encouragement, family, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, grace, growing up/growth, guilt, identity/names, life, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, milestones, mistakes, nurturing, participation, power, protecting/protection, purpose, reassurance, regret/repentance, renewal/restoration, righteousness, self-control, self-discovery, sin, violence

Scripture Connections: The Lord is merciful & gracious... (Psalm 103:8); It was You who formed my inward parts (Psalm 139); You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13); stir up one another to love and do good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Idea(s) for Application: A friend of mine read this beautiful book as a part of a homily on Community at the Academy for Spiritual Formation. It was perfect. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 160

Picture Book: Squeak’s Good Idea

Author: Max Eilenberg

Illustrator: Patrick Benson

Summary: Squeak’s good idea is to go outside. No one else in his family is interested, but he’s willing to go it alone. Because he is a cautious fellow and in case the weather turns bad, he puts on his mittens, jacket, scarf, hat, raincoat, warm pants, extra socks, and carries an umbrella. He thinks he might get hungry so he packs a picnic lunch. It takes him a while, but finally he is ready. In his bundled state, he steps outside and slowly discovers the beauty of nature and the fine weather so he peels off his extra clothes. About that time, his family joins him for the picnic. He’s prepared enough food for all of them. “It’s lucky to be on the safe side,” Squeak declares. They all agree.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a silly story of over preparation and the daring of a young character to risk going into the unknown alone even if that unknown is just outside his house. You can’t help but love Squeak’s caution and determination. I’m glad he gets affirmed by his family in the end. He obviously wanted them to come with him all along, but he still ventured outside on his own.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2001

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, adventure, affirmation, anxiety/worry, armor, bravery/courage, clothes/shoes, comfort, commitment, the environment/nature, family, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, God’s presence, journeys/pilgrimages/migrations/quests, joy, mission, perseverance, preparation/preparing, presence, protecting/protection, rain, risking, security, weather   

Scripture Connections: God’s presence with the Israelites (Exodus 33:14); the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18); I am with you always (Matthew 28:20)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a perfect book to read when teaching the “whole armor of God” verses in Ephesians or the broader concept of the Holy One being present with us at all times, no matter where we venture. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 157

Picture Book: Talking Walls

Author: Margy Burns Knight

Illustrator: Anne Sibley

Summary: This unusual book is an overview of various walls around the world that were built to separate, to commemorate, to protect, or for prayer. Fourteen different walls are described here. Their histories and purposes are explained as are some of the cultural contexts then and now. Among them you’ll find The Great Wall of China, The Western Wall in Jerusalem, The Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, The Great Zimbabwe, and Cuzco, Peru where there are many Incan walls intact. In the back you’ll find a world map placing the walls and more details.

Hanna’s Comments: Consider checking out the sequel to this book: Talking Walls: The Stories Continue or better yet, the newest edition which combines these two texts in a more read-aloud friendly format: Talking Walls: Discover Your World. The last page of the book I’ve pictured here asks a series of questions that encourage deeper thinking on the theme of walls: Do you know about other walls? Are they visible or invisible? Are they monuments? Do they tell stories? How are walls built? Do they need to stay up or come down? Do you build walls? Would you tear them down? Can you imagine a world without walls?

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tilbury House, 1992

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3 and up

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Non Fiction, Award Winner, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: Africa, America, ancestors/matriarchs/patriarchs, anxiety/worry, armor, art, artifacts, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Central America/South America, community, creativity/imagination/beauty, diversity, Earth/world, enemies, Europe, exclusion/inclusion, exile/separation/walls, fear, geography, heritage, hiding/isolation, humanity, insecurity, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, Mexico, North America, prayer, protecting/protection, religious differences, reverence, safe place/sanctuary, time/timing/over time, worship

Scripture Connections: Marching around the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6); nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38-39)

Idea(s) for Application:  This book and the later editions would be great to use in a homeschool or private school where you are allowed to comment on the religious nature of some of these walls and compare & contrast them with your faith traditions. For a church, this book would be a good resource for anyone planning a series of lessons with the theme of walls or a lesson on the wall of Jericho from the book of Joshua. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 141

Picture Book: For Every Child: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Words and Pictures

Text Adapted by: Caroline Castle

Forward: Archbishop Desmond M. TuTu

Illustrators: Each double page spread has a different illustrator.

Summary: In 1989 the United Nations adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document comprised of 54 principles. This picture book highlights the 14 most relevant principles for today’s international children. As a declaration of human rights, this book will inspire and dishearten your listeners for it will become clear that the rights of many children are forgotten and ignored. 

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I run across a picture book that I must own. This is one of them. I urge you to consider designing a program that allows you to engage in conversation with your community of faith about the rights (and present day treatment) of children all over the world. As a Christian, there are few issues that so clearly speak directly to my faith. Jesus urged us to minister to the least of these. Despite his culture, Jesus took time to interact with children, heal children, and proclaim their great value. I know this value is shared by many other religions as well. Our news headlines are full of displaced families, children caught in the abyss of war, and children living in oppressive regimes or slave conditions. As a species, we can do better and must do better. It sounds clichéd, but they are our future.

There are two similar books that I would recommend. We are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures. All royalties for the sale of this book go to Amnesty International, the organization that is its author. The pages in the featured book as well as this book are illustrated by series of internationally respected artists. 

The other book I want to highlight is I Have the Right to Be a Child by Alain Serres with illustrations by Aurelia Fronty. This book takes the perspective of children who declare their rights in moving ways within the parameters of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It ends with details about this document and a list of the countries that are party to this document as of its publication, 2009. It troubles me that the United States of America is still not on this list.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Phyllis Fogelman Books in association with UNICEF, 2001

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Two different videos are on Youtube.com that have this same subject but in different words. They are well produced and very inspiring.

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adoption, babies/children, caring/tending, care of creation, citizenship, civil rights, comfort, dependence/interdependence, disabilities/handicaps/limitation, diversity, Earth/world, education/learning/school, equality/inequality, ethics, family, freedom, growing up/growth, helping, healing/healthcare, home, humanity, identity/names, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, intercession, justice, land/mountains/soil, language/literacy/reading, nurturing, outreach, play, pleasing God/the Shema, protecting/protection, religious differences, respect, safety, safe place/sanctuary, security, violence, vision, war/war veterans

Scripture Connections: Whoever welcomes a little child welcomes me (Matthew 18:5); Jesus said, ”Let the children come to me” (Matthew 19:13); the least of these (Matthew 25)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this book in a program for children or youth in which you talk about the ways children in various circumstances around the world are not secure in their human rights. Then talk about how your faith community is engaged in efforts to improve these situations.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 102

Picture Book: Tell Me, Tree: All about Trees for Kids

Author & Illustrator: Gail Gibbons

Summary: Like so many of this author’s books, Tell Me, Tree is filled with fun facts and illustrated with beautifully simple drawings, some quite instructive. It includes a guide to various trees, their anatomy, the science of photosynthesis, uses for trees, and how to make a tree identification book.

Hanna’s Comments: Gail Gibbons has more than 100 well-designed factual books for children. Many are likely in your local library. Keep her in mind whenever you want more information on a particular subject in natural history and science. Her information will probably be in a more accessible form than content you might find on the internet. She has great books on everything from apples to zoos that cover scientific concepts, cultural events, and even literary phenomena. My husband leads a design team at our church for our summer arts camp. He writes the Bible Story experiences based on a theme which is sometimes a natural history concept. One of Gibbon’s books on that concept would be a great place to start planning. When you need to fill in the gaps of a lesson or program for children, a Gibbons' book is a great place to start.

Here is a list of just a few of the great books available to you about trees. Some are a story and some are factual. You’ll find summaries on Amazon.com.

If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay

Someday a Tree by Ronald Himler                

The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward                                

Who Will Plant a Tree by Jerry Pallotta               

As an Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas               

The Whistling Tree by Audrey Penn                 

The Tree by Dana Lyons

Sequoia by Tony Johnston

Publisher & Date of Publication: Little, Brown, & Company, 2002

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, beauty, blessings, care of creation, creation, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, light/morning, moon/space/stars/sun, protecting/protection, steadfastness, strength/strength in God, variety, water

Scripture Connections: He is like a tree planted by water (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:8); every healthy tree bears good fruit (Matthew 7:17); being rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when designing learning stations for children about the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).