Journeying with an Idea

 Picture Book: What Do You Do with an Idea?

Author: Kobi Yamada

Illustrator: Mae Besom

Summary: “One day I had an idea,” begins this intriguing book. 

The idea, represented by this character, is fun to watch. 

The child struggles with what to do with the idea. 

Avoid it? Deny its existence? 

Be confused by it? Worry about what others will think? 

Feel ashamed of it? Risk feeding it? Play with it? 

Give it lots of attention? Show it to others? Claim it?

Give up on it? Abandon it? 

With each possibility, an illustration gives you much to consider. 

As the child attends to the idea, it grows and transforms. 

It’s influence on the child becomes obvious. The child says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without it.” 

Eventually the idea transforms in a big way. 

Taking flight, its no longer just a part of the child but a part of everything. 

Hanna’s Comments: I see 2 different approaches when using this book in ministry. The 1st is inspired by Anne Lamott’s conversion experience described in Traveling Mercies. In her gritty writing, Lamott describes Jesus as a little kitten that follows her for days. Eventually with very colorful language, she tells the cat it can enter her home. In this context “the idea” is a new step in faith. 

Biblical connections abound; think Abraham, Hannah, or Paul.  My 2nd approach is inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic in which she personifies her creative ideas (& fears). How does this connect with scripture? There are numerous stories in which characters’ inspirations grow (Esther, The Magi),

some more other-worldly than others (The Men Walking to Emmaus, Philip & the Ethiopian, Peter’s Tablecloth Dream). This book is so rich with meaning; look for it in my PBT Grab & Go Series eventually. First have your audience think of an idea they once had. 

Read the book without showing the illustrations. Then discuss personal connections. Read it again, while showing and relating the illustrations to their own idea journeys. 

If they don’t give their comments a spiritual framing, you do that. Relate the book and/or their comments to one of the Bible stories listed below or ask for their own connections to scripture. There is now a sequel to this fun book, What Do You Do with a Problem? I’ll post about it after the holidays. Yay!

Original Publisher & Date: Compendium, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections:  Abraham’s conversion, Hannah’s prayer for a child, Esther’s choice to approach the king, The Magi's journey to Bethlehem, Men Walking to Emmaus, Paul’s conversion, Philip & the Ethiopian, Peter’s Tablecloth Dream, etc.

Idea(s) for Application: Read the story to a group of teenagers who are trying to discern post-high school decisions or a group of entrepreneurs who are exploring a vocation.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 365!!!!!!!!!!

Picture Book: Big and Small, Room for All

Author: Jo Ellen Bogart

Illustrator: Gillian Newland

Summary: The first double page spread of this book has a little girl in a tree. The words read, “Big and Small, Big and Small.” Then a visual jump is made to the vast universe. “Room for all, Big and small.” With each page, a tighter view occurs. First the big sky (universe) and small sun, then the big sun and small Earth, and so on until you read, “What is smaller than a flea? A world of things too small to see.”  

Hanna’s Comments: This book captures my values in a nutshell. I believe every element of this universe is a beloved creation of our loving God. Also, here the mystery of the Divine is captured in the big sky and even in the tiniest creatures. My church’s vision statement is “An Open Place for All to Worship, Grow, and Serve.” This big statement is an invitation to anyone who happens to walk in our doors, no matter how small they are feeling. We are a big church, with a big steeple, and big stained-glass windows. But we know that small things matter, a warm greeting for a visitor, a phone call when someone is missed, or a touch when a beloved friend is hurting. I love my church because our big hearts for our much bigger God are expressed in the small ways we are the hands and feet of Christ to others on a small corner of this world in downtown Birmingham, AL, USA, Earth….

I have now demonstrated for you 365 times that big ideas can be found in even small picture books. The two extremes represented in this picture book ground my faith in a way that is comforting and has kept me writing these blog posts for you for 365 consecutive days, a big goal that I have managed, with God’s help, to accomplish, one small step (day) at a time. Praise God!

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Tundra Books, 2009

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, animals, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, babies/children, beauty, belonging, blessings, creation, diversity, Earth/world, the environment/nature, God’s care/providence, heaven/sky, life, moon/space/stars/sun, mystery, reverence, variety, wonder

Scripture Connections: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers… who are we that you are mindful of us? (Psalm 8:3-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are wanting to consider both the enormity and detail of God’s creation and the way in which God is in the big picture and the details.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 351

Picture Book: Morning Has Broken 

Author: Eleanor Farjeon

Illustrator: Tim Ladwig

Summary: A celebration of nature’s beauty is at the heart of these familiar words. The illustrations are contemporary and feature a young boy and his grandfather who come together to enjoy a stunning day in a city. References to God and the Holy Scriptures are somewhat subtle. Mostly this is a song of praise to God for new possibilities and the joy of discovering them in loving relationship.  

Hanna’s Comments: For some of us, this is a hymn found in one of the newer hymnals. For others, it is a pop song sung by Cat Stevens and heard at summer church camp and on the radio when we were young. Now for all of us these imaginative lyrics have been translated into a picture book. Eleanor Farjeon was inspired by Psalm 118:24 to write these lyrics for children to sing. They were first published in 1931 in England. At the front of the book, you’ll find a Note about the Author, and at the back, you’ll find the score with all three verses.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: William B. Eerdman’s, 1996 

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: Song Book, God Book, Pre 2K, Rare but Worth the Search

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, awe, beauty, beginnings/morning, contemplation, the environment/nature, God’s care/providence, grace, grandparents, gratitude/thanksgiving, prayer, worship

Scripture Connections: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24) and other psalms of praise such as Psalm 100 and 150

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children when celebrating the possibilities God graciously gives us in each day and how important it is to be grateful and praise God for these many gifts.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 281

Picture Book: The Boy on the Page

Author & Illustrator: Peter Carnavas

Summary: A boy lands on the first page of this clever picture book. He wonders, “Why am I here?” and “What does it mean?” At first there is nothing, Then a world begins to appear. Comically, he rides a horse, catches a fish, paints a picture, saves an animal, grows up, falls in love…. As his family grows, he looks at the moon sometimes and wonders why he landed on the page. In an attempt to answer this question, he jumps off the page. Again at first there is nothing, but then he tumbles back to the page where he finds “everything he had ever made, every animal he had ever cared for and every person he had ever loved.” Finally, he understands the meaning of his life.

Hanna’s Comments: These hilarious illustrations mask a picture book full of meaning and connections to our own questions about how and why our lives are meaningful and important and what happens when we exit. It’s a comforting thought to think that the end of our lives will have us surrounded by those we love and the fruits of our loves and labors.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Kane Miller, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, afterlife/heaven, beginnings/morning, birth/birthday, blessings, bonds/connections, creation, family, God’s care/providence, gratitude/thanksgiving, humanity, life, manna, mystery, purpose, questioning/questions, relationships, time/over time

Scripture Connections: The creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children when studying the story of God creating Adam and Eve. This book would also be a fun read at a family retreat for a faith community.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 235

Picture Book: I Know a Place

Author: Karen Ackerman

Illustrator: Deborah Kogan Ray

Summary: This book is from the point of view of a school age girl who tells the reader all about what her home uniquely represents to her and why it is so valuable. It’s an exploration of why her home (and the presence of her family) is so comforting and offers such security and stability. Habits, routines, and rituals are mentioned as she describes a typical school day in winter. The illustrations encapsulate a feeling of warmth, love, and coziness.

Hanna’s Comments: The desire, longing, and comforts of home and family are common themes in scripture and religious stories. This book, though its context is far removed from Bible stories, will offer your children the opportunity to consider why home is such an important place in scripture and in their own lives. Making these kinds of connections will help them be more empathetic with those Bible characters who are experiencing home or the longing for home. You can even use this conversation as a starting place before delving into other subjects such as ritual, tradition, homelessness, immigration, hospitality, etc.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Houghton Mifflin, 1992

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 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, attentiveness/observation/seeing, beauty, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, comfort, family, gentleness/meekness, gladness/happiness, God’s care/providence, goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, home, homelessness, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, nurturing, parents/parental love, possessions, security, unity

Scripture Connections: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15); by wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3-4); a house built on a rock shall stand (Matthew 7:24)

Idea(s) for Application: See my comments above regarding some ways you can use this book to explore the important, grounding concepts of home and family.  Then connect your conversation with Bible characters for whom these issues  are compelling such as the Prodigal Son, Mary and Joseph in Egypt, Ruth and Naomi, or those exiled to Babylon. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 177

Picture Book: The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story

Retold by: Joseph Bruchac

Illustrator: Anna Vojtech

Summary: This re-telling of a Cherokee legend explains the story behind strawberries. Long ago when the world was new, a husband comes home and gets angry that his supper is not prepared. The wife is so furious and hurt by his words that she leaves her husband in anger. He tries to go after her, but he cannot keep up. The sun, seeing the man’s sorrow, asks if he is still angry with her. He confesses that he was foolish, but he cannot catch her to tell her. So the sun begins to tempt the woman with various kinds of berries, but her anger is so strong that she does not even see them. Then the sun plants bright red strawberries in her path, the first of their kind. She bends down to taste the delicious fruit and thinks of her husband and their former happiness. She decides to gather some berries to take home to him. Eventually, he catches up with her and asks for her forgiveness. Not only does she forgive him, she gives him some sweet strawberries. Even now it is said that strawberries are a reminder that “friendship and respect are as sweet as the taste of ripe strawberries.”

Hanna’s Comments: This story has an Adam and Eve feeling to it, but it is grounded in a very real, human situation, anger at those we love most who often bear the brunt of our anger. This is true of family members, and it also holds true with those we are closest to in our faith communities. Too often difficult emotions, such as anger and hurt, are not dealt with productively, and their lingering effects lead to dysfunction and more emotional pain. Conversations that lead to confession, forgiveness and reconciliation can be powerful healing agents. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Puffin, 1993

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are amateur videos on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Traditional, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, anger, choices, decisions, conflict, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, forgiveness/justifying grace/mercy/redemption, fruit/fruit of the spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, grace, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, relationships, self-control, servant hood/service/serving, sharing, sin

Scripture Connections: Refrain from anger (Psalm 37:8); whoever is slow to anger has great understanding (Proverbs 14:29); let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you (Ephesians 4:31)

Idea(s) for Application: This book could, in a non-threatening way, begin a conversation with adults about how they deal with their anger. More importantly, it might lead to important insights and comments about confession, forgiveness, and healing relationships. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 173

Picture Book: Swim! Swim!

Author: Lerch (with help from James Proimos)

Illustrator: James Proimos

Summary: Lurch, an outgoing but lonely goldfish, is looking for a friend in his fishbowl. He tries to start a conversation with pebbles, the lonely looking aqua man, and some bubbles, but they either ignore him or seem to speak another language, “blub” blub,” in the case of the bubbles. Then Lurch sees a cat spying him through the glass while licking his lips. The cat calls Lurch “Lunch” instead, picks him up out of the fish bowl (you’re certain Lurch is about to be eaten), plops him in another bowl, and introduces him to Dinner. The other goldfish quickly responds, “My name is Dinah!” Friendship and true love are found in that 2nd fishbowl and all ends well.

Hanna’s Comments: This comical tale will delight children. It is one of many children’s books I have offered on this blog about the skills of making friends and the practice of hospitality. There’s also a great deal of misunderstanding going on in these fishbowls. Misunderstanding is a problem for all humans and can lead to all sorts of problems including prejudice and dysfunctional relationships. Use this book to talk with children about the importance in your faith community of really listening to one another, not judging too early, and the concept of empathy.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2010

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are some amateur videos on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: change, chosen, communication, companionship, danger, difficulties, disappointment, friends/friendship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s presence, God’s will, hope, loneliness, patience, perseverance, prayer, searching, surprise, vision, waiting

Scripture Connections: The whole law is fulfilled by, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14); do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2)

Idea(s) for Application: We welcome a number of homeless people into our church each Sunday morning. This would be a good book to use in a lighthearted way to help children in churches like mine not judge or be afraid of these strangers who are sometimes unkempt or behaving strangely.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 155

Picture Book: In God’s Hands

Authors: Lawrence Kushner & Gary Schmidt

Illustrator: Matthew J. Beck

Summary: Jacob and David live very different lives in the same small town, but both men think little of miracles. Jacob, a successful baker, sleeps during most of his synagogue's worship services. David, a janitor in the synagogue, urgently prays to God to help him feed his large family. While sleepy during the reading of the Torah, Jacob hears the words of Leviticus compel him to bake 12 loaves of bread and present them to God. Believing this to be the voice of God, Jacob complies, brings 12 loaves to the synagogue, and places them in the Holy Ark. Soon after, David in his desperation finds the bread and takes it home to his family. This pattern repeats itself for months until the Rabbi realizes what’s happening. The Rabbi calls in both men who have come to believe in miracles and explains to them that in this case, the miracle is the way in which God’s hands have become their hands. They are doing God’s work and it must continue.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a thought-provoking traditional Jewish tale that weaves together the struggles of two men and God’s call to all of us to be the working (and receiving) hands of God. There is a lot to consider here such as issues of trust, prayer, worship, discernment, devotion, and human relationships. According to a list in the back, this book, along with several others, is multicultural, nondenominational, and nonsectarian and is endorsed by Protestant, Catholic and Jewish religious leaders. 

There is another picture book based on this traditional Jewish tale that has a young boy at the center of the story. It is Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Dusan Petricic.    

Publisher & Date of Publication: Jewish Lights, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Traditional Tale, God Book

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, anxiety/worry, Bible/scripture, blessings, bonds/connections, brokenness, call/calling/vocation, choices/decisions, commitment, dependence/interdependence, differences, disobedience/obedience, faith/faithfulness, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, found, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s will, holiness, hope, humility, insecurity, labor/work, legends/myths, manna, miracles, mystery, outreach, parables/stories, place of worship/the Temple, pleasing God/the Shema, poverty, power, response to God, sacrifice, safe place/sanctuary, savior/saving, secrets, servant hood/service/serving, word of God

Scripture Connections: Trust in the Lord, do good…befriend faithfulness (Psalm 37:3-4); When you do it to the least of these, you do it to me (Matthew 25); Be doers of the word, not merely hearers (James 1:22)

Idea(s) for Application: This book offers an opportunity to discuss with adults the extent to which their eyes are open to the ordinary, everyday miracles we facilitate and encourage as we do faithful, God-ordained works.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 135

Picture Book: Fortunately

Author & Illustrator: Remy Charlip

Summary: This comical book begins: “Fortunately, one day Ned got a letter that said ‘Please Come to a Surprise Party.’ But unfortunately, the party was in Florida and he was in New York. Fortunately, a friend loaned him an airplane. Unfortunately, the motor exploded.” You see the pattern. Ned’s narrow escapes continue until he seems to make it to the party that was his initial destination. It’s a good thing! It was his very own surprise birthday party.

Hanna’s Comments: While reading this book, I especially like to point out Ned’s fluctuating facial expressions as each situation changes. Having your audience mimic these facial expressions during the reading would be fun. Though your pace will have to slow because of the all the giggling. For me, this plot ends in a way that is too contrived, but the ridiculous nature of the plot and the fun you can have on Ned’s wacky journey make up for the ending. Afterwards, consider having the listeners create a similar story either orally or through dramatic play. Messages of God’s providence and prevenient grace are in the story no matter how it’s presented. If you want a more modern book with a similar set-up involving animated animals in the wild, check out Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack or It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Younger children would better understand these books. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1964

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Amateur videos on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adaptation/assimilation, blessings, challenges, change, danger, difficulties, God’s care/providence, grace, journeys/pilgrimages/migrations/quests, lost, manna, perseverance, prevenient grace, problems/problem solving, safety, travel

Scripture Connections: All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)

Idea(s) for Application: This format of alternating good and bad fortunes could be used for telling the story of Moses’ birth, the Exodus, and the Israelites’ wanderings in wilderness. Here’s a start: Fortunately, Moses was born a healthy baby boy in Egypt. Unfortunately, his mother, an Israelite, was a slave. Fortunately, the Israelites believed in a God who would bless them. Unfortunately, the Pharaoh, who feared the Israelites, had all baby boys killed. Fortunately, Moses’ mother…. The same would be true of Joseph’s story in Genesis and even Jesus’ story. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 78

Picture Book: What a Wonderful World

Authors: George David Weiss & Bob Thiele

Illustrator: Ashley Bryan

Summary: Louis Armstrong’s rendition of this song is familiar to many adults. This picture book allows the inspiring lyrics about the beauty & wonder of our world to be brought to children. The bright, colorful illustrations, including Mr. Armstrong himself performing a puppet show, will be enjoyed by children and adults.  

Hanna’s Comments: This wonderful book will easily encourage a conversation with children about God’s creative spirit and hope for our world, the world that God has so generously given us. Have fun teaching this song to a new generation! 

There is also a board book version of these lyrics, illustrated by Tom Hopgood. Such a small book would not be appropriate for large group readings.

There are a couple of other books with this same title, but their texts are different. I highly recommend the one written by Suzanne Chiew and illustrated by Tina McNaughton. 

The plot involves 2 bears, a mama and child, exploring the natural world together. Young children will love it so I have included it in my Trinity Treasures preschool Sunday school curriculum in lessons about the natural world.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Antheneum Books, 1995

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at Present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, many videos of the song are on Youtube

PBT Category: Song Book, 1995

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, beauty, blessings, creation, Earth/world, the environment/nature, flowers/leaves/trees, God’s care/providence, goodness, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, humanity, joy, kingdom of God/rein of God, love, manna, prayer, rainbows, response to God, reverence, satisfaction, variety, vision, worship

Scripture Connections: Psalms of gratitude

Idea(s) for Application: as part of a thanksgiving celebration for children

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 31

Picture Book: The High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake

Author: Nancy Willard

Illustrator: Richard Jesse Watson

Summary: The tween narrator wants to bake her mother a favorite mysterious cake that is a lost legacy from her colorful grandmother. After clues, a clumsy uncle, & the found recipe, the cake is made late at night with amazing results including an encounter with 3 beautiful but hungry angels. Then her grandmother’s saying is remembered, “Grief in the evening is joy in the morning,” and holds true as the birthday is celebrated with a secret, heavenly delight.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a great book for older elementary & youth especially to honor a mother or grandmother’s legacy. Note that this book is longer than most picture books.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harcourt, 1990

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2nd and up

# of Pages: 63

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio cassette, Audible

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, angels, birth/birthday, blessings, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, found, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, grandparents, hospitality, labor/work, manna, mothers, preparation/preparing, wishes

Scripture Connections: Joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5); Her children rise up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31)

Idea(s) for Application: a lesson on angels, honoring mothers, or loving acts of service