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.

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. 

A Speech for Today

It’s MLK Day here in The States so today I’ve chosen to feature another beautiful book by Kadir Nelson. You’ll likely recognize the text from MLK’s remarkable speech.

Picture Book: I Have a Dream

Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: The text of this picture book is the last portion of Dr. King’s speech given in Washington DC on August 28, 1963. A few of the darker passages have been left out. Here are some of the passages that are familiar and most loved by me. 

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. 

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and he sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. 

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

I have a dream that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. 

With this faith we will be able to work together, pray together, struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. 

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country, 'tis of thee... And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. 

Let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire... from the curvaceous slopes of California. 

But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain in Georgia...Lookout Mountain in Tennesee...Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississsippi. 

From every mountainside, let freedom ring. 

... we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the Negro spiritual: 

Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.

Hanna’s Comments: The full text of Dr. King's speech is in the back of this book. If your faith family isn't spending time learning about the scriptural foundations of doing social justice, ask yourself why. Stories of God's desires for justice abound in our holy scriptures. Jesus had a habit of stepping over social barriers to talk with those who were marginalized. In the present political climate, we need to be teaching our children what faithful justice work looks like, encouraging our teens to find their vocations in such work, and exhorting our adults to step out of their comfort zones when human rights are being threatened or pushed aside. At the very least, all should be taught how to be intolerant of hatred and racism. Such positions are not love and therefore not scriptural. Whoever does not love, does not know God because God is love. 1 John 4:8.

Original Publisher & Date: Schwartz, 2012

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, A cd comes with this book. You can watch the speech on Youtube [here].

Scripture Connections: This portion of Dr. King’s speech has Isaiah 40:4-5a as a part of the text. Connect it with any scripture about inclusion or social justice issues such as "What does The Lord require of us but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." Micah 6:8 and 1 John 4:8 (see above) as well as Bible stories where the marginalized are included.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith family when giving a lesson on God’s love for diversity or God's requirement that we do justice. 

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.