A Book about Different Abilities and More!

Now and then a book moves me in ways beyond what the creator/s may have intended. Today’s featured book is one of those. When I read it, I wanted to talk about it with many people. I knew you would be part of my imaginary conversations!

Picture Book: What Happened to You?

Author: James Catchpole

Illustrator: Karen George 

Summary: This beautiful story is from the point of view of Joe, a young boy who has one leg. Before the story begins, you see Joe tossing aside his crutches. Then he skillfully plays a favorite game on a balance beam - a game that involves imaginary sharks. Next this powerful sentence appears: Sharks were easy compared to kids Joe hadn't met yet. WOW! Spend some time here!

An outspoken and curious young girl, who we later learn is Simone, comes to Joe, declares the obvious, and asks the title question. 

Surprisingly, Joe replies, "What do you think?" Simone guesses and questions more. Other children join in. Joe answers their creative guesses while adeptly climbing. Eventually, you have this: 

Spend some time here also. 

Then Simone finally joins Joe. They say their names and play together imaginatively. Others join in. I wonder what would have happened if Simone had begun their friendship this way. The story ends with Simone asking if Joe "gets bored of that question about your leg, that you don't have." Again, Joe asks what she thinks and if she still needs to know what happened. Simone answers, No!" Joe likes that answer.

Hanna’s Comments: The cover of this book is subtle, then striking so I would begin a reading by allowing your audience to react silently. The power of this book is Joe's deep hurt and frustration. He just wants to play - in amazing ways! Talk about how some people can skillfully hide their hurt and frustration.

I was struck with how Joe's response to the title question parallels the response many Americans who are non-white experience when those in the white majority (I'm in this category), insensitively ask questions or expect explanation & affirmation. I know I have much to learn! It is not the responsibility of my non-white acquaintances and friends to be my teachers.

At the end of the book is a letter from the author to parents about how children want to know all about every disabled person they see. Read this to yourself no matter your parental status. James Catchpole has one leg so his letter is particularly instructive. He explains that people with disabilities don't want to be everyone's teachable moment. 

 

I have recently discovered a book series called A First Look at.... This series has a similar book titled Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas & Lesley Harker. It is not a story. Instead it explores experiences and poor assumptions people make about people with differing abilities. The book series offers valuable entry points on a large variety of topics. Every few pages, they offer excellent questions for reflection. For a list of books in the series, check the website here. You might choose not to read one of these books aloud but instead allow it to bring you to more a sensitive understanding, design an activity, or help you anticipate issues that might arise.

Original Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2021

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The self-righteous Pharisee - who judges the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14); Zacchaeus - who was a climber in a tree, feeling very different & alone (Luke 19:1-10); the Syrophoenician woman - who was judged harshly by Jesus, After she challenges him, he commends her and grants her prayer request. (Mark 7:24-30); The Fruits of the Spirit (particularly kindness, gentleness, and self-control) Contrast these to the children's approach to Joe (Galatians 5:22-23). More generally, let Jesus and early Christians be examples of empathically & respectfully approaching a person with differences. This happens with the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40) and the woman who touched Jesus' clothing (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8).

PBT Applications: Start a small group of parents with young children who choose to read together Oprah & Bruce D. Perry’s recent book of the same name. 

This book for adults was my favorite non-fiction book of 2021. It reorients readers away from the common question: “What’s wrong with you?” I recommend the audio version because it is, like the subtitle says, conversations between Dr. Perry & Oprah. Also, having the text on hand is helpful because of the visual content. 

My PBT application is to let the reading of this picture book start your group’s time together. The title question will become a point of reference and broaden the focus, not just on trauma, but also on disability and other differences. This picture book beautiful shows, “What happened to you?” can be an insensitive and damaging question coming from the wrong person or the wrong kind of relationship. What I have learned, thanks to this little picture book, is that it is a question best held delicately with caution and empathy and perhaps not asked at all.   

from the late Rachel Held Evans

 

Want more about this beloved writer? See the previous PBT post, including website link.

Picture Book: What is God Like?

Author: Rachel Held Evans & Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrator: Ying Hui Tan

Forward: Daniel Jonce Evans (Evan’s husband who gives context to her beginning this book & explains the couple’s relationship to Turner.)

Summary: This daring book begins with an acknowledgement that the title is a very big question. It explains that no one has seen “all of God,” but “we can know what God is like.” At the book’s end, it says all people have been asking the title question throughout time. The reader is encouraged to keep wondering and learning. It ends profoundly and assuredly: 

But whenever you aren’t sure what God is like, think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel brave, and what makes you feel loved. That’s what God is like.

Hanna’s Comments:  The bulk of these pages are similes (what God is like) and metaphors (“God is…” statements). The illustrations of young children shouldn't limit the age of your audience. For an older or mixed-age audience, such as a whole congregation, simply read the text without showing the book. Besides the compelling and rich text, I especially appreciate the beauty & diversity of Tan's images.

Original Publisher & Date: Convergent, 2021

Age Appropriateness: Preschool & up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Scripture ties will be driven by the specific images for God you choose to explore. Many tie directly to familiar scriptures. Here are just a few of the 14 images I found: God is like… an eagle, a fort, a rainbow, the stars, a mother, a father, a candle flame, an artist, a shepherd...

PBT Applications: There is a lot of text here. Read it entirely if to a group older than preschool age. This will easily start a faith conversation. For preschoolers, a few select pages will do. If you want to dig into some specifics, pass out several books and have small groups choose which images and words they respond to most.

PBT God Book #14

Here’s another favorite God Book from PBT’s archives. Most books here are secular, but I include God books because they might be difficult to know about or find. These books are about the general nature of God or our relationship with God. I could have put this book in the PBT Grab & Go series because there is so much intriguing text. Little prep would be necessary for a great lesson; a discussion will naturally follow.

Picture Book: I Wanted to Know All about God

Author: Virginia L. Kroll

Illustrator: Debra Reid Jenkins

Summary: This picture book is designed to encourage children to be attentive to how God’s creation might inform them about God's nature. Various questions and environmental contexts are offered. The sentences have a somewhat repeated pattern: I wanted to know if God… then I …. Here are two examples: 

I wanted to know if God likes music, then I heard a pond on a summer night.

I wanted to know what colors God likes. Then I met several children of other races.

Hanna’s Comments: Two strengths of this book are the diversity of the children and the variety of experiences depicted in the illustrations. A book like this could be interrupted at each double page spread with conversation about whether your audience members have had similar questions or experiences. Help them see how their experiences might give hints to God’s nature. You could end your time together by writing some new pages to the book with the same pattern of words. Talk about what the illustrations might show or have the children create some illustrations if you have time. If you want to share this book with adults but aren't sure how they will respond to having a picture book read to them, simply transfer the text to your notes and read it. BUT do give the author credit at some point during your lesson by showing or explaining that the text came from a book. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Eerdmans, 1994

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Elijah in the cave encountering God (1 Kings 19); The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23); Jesus’ "I am..." statements (John 6-15)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book before going on a nature walk with children. On the walk, invite them to reflect on how God's creation informs them of God’s nature.

PBT God Book #10 - God's Paintbrush x 2

Picture Book: God’s Paintbrush

Author: Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Illustrator: Annette Compton

Summary: This book is designed to evoke conversation between adults and children about what God is like and how individuals might make their beliefs more meaningful. Through the imagination of the child characters, God’s nature and design for our world are considered via everyday images and experiences that children often encounter. Each page or double page spread has 1 or 2 questions that will likely lead to meaningful conversations.

Hanna’s Comments: This is one of the most popular books for children about God’s nature. Although it is written by a rabbi, she has written it in a way that is non-sectarian and very open-ended. It's very inviting and non-threatening. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and ministers will all see it as a valuable tool. The 10^th Anniversary edition has a message from the author and ideas for encouraging even more conversation about God. Also available is God’s Paintbrush Celebration Kit, a curriculum that offers materials on 5 topics: What is God Like?, Seeing, Hearing & Speaking, Touching, and Doing. These are the Biblical texts explored in this curriculum: portions of Genesis 1, Deuteronomy 6, 1 Kings 19, Psalms 29, 34, 100, & 150 and Isaiah 66. For very young children, look for I am God's Paintbrush, a board book version of this book. 

Original Publisher & Date: Jewish Lights, 1992

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: O Lord, how manifold are Your works (Psalm 104:24); for we are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10); work heartily as for the Lord (Colossians 3:23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a discussion with children on what God is like. Be sure to take advantage of all the questions provided in the book for an easy and meaningful lesson for many age groups.

Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

Ironically, the concept of faithfulness is very complex, even though it likely surrounded us our early years if we were cared for by a responsible parent. Such parental devotion serves as an obvious model for God’s faithfulness in the form of attention, promises kept, and needs met. This PBT book offers such a parental metaphor for God, but mine these pages for much more! Faithfulness is what God asks of us too!

Picture Book: I Promise

Author & Illustrator: David McPhail

Summary: This story is deceptively complex. It's child oriented without being childish. The illustrations are simply a mother and a baby bear enjoying nature in both bear and human ways.  

After being asked to sing, Mother Bear makes a promise to sing to Baby Bear later. Then she is asked, "What's a promise?" Mother Bear's first answer: "A promise is when you say you will do something and then do your very best to do it." 

If a promise isn't kept, it's a broken promise that may be hard to "fix." It might hurt someone.

Baby Bear wants to know what else Mother Bear will promise. Cloud watching is the next promise she gives. This is a promise of presence. 

Next, she promises to listen and to look and to stay when fears are pressing in.  

Beyond providing a sense of security, Mother Bear promises to provide good food. 

When Baby Bear presses for more promises, Mother Bear says she will teach her bear what is needed to be a grown-up bear, but some things Baby Bear will have to learn on his own.

Baby Bear is surprised when his mother confesses she doesn't know everything. 

When Baby Bear asks if she will promise "I will always be happy," wise Mother Bear replies that such a promise can never be made. Being happy will largely be up to Baby Bear.

As they head home, Mother Bear makes one last promise to always love her cub no matter what. Baby Bear is a bit surprised by the "no matter what" part of that promise.  

Baby Bear looks forward to the promise he will keep tomorrow to play with his friend. Mother Bear declares that keeping promises feels really good! 

This story ends with a promise from Baby Bear to be a good bear, most of the time. 

Mother Bear delights in Baby Bear's promise and then sings him to sleep, her first promise kept.

Hanna’s Comments: What makes the idea of faithfulness hard to explore is the question of its direction. We often think of faithfulness as an attribute of God, but that's not what Paul is talking about in Galatians. The Fruits of the Spirit are not simple. Paul writes about our faithfulness to God, to our family, and to our neighbor. You can expand this idea. Talk about faithfulness to work, to ideals, and certainly to a religious institutions. It’s also important to distinguish faithfulness from faith. Faith is generally thought of as a set of beliefs, whereas faithfulness is about action, orientation, presence, and commitment. One last reason I love this book? It offers a fabulous example of a deep and meaningful conversation with a very young child. The keys to such conversations are listening carefully, being empathetic to experiences, asking appropriate questions, and offering simple wisdom. Such skills are truly acts of faithfulness and must be delightful to God. 

Original Publisher & Date: Little, Brown Bks, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: In addition to The Fruit of the Spirit verses in Galatians 5:22-23…If you faithfully obey the voice of God… all these blessings shall come upon you (Deuteronomy 28:68); A faithful person will abound with blessings (Proverbs 28:20); Who then is the faithful and wise manager… (Luke 12:42);  one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much… (Luke 16:10); For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7); If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or adults and then explore the very complex notion of faithfulness. It would also be a great book to read to a group attending a parenting class.

PBT Series: God Book #8

Here is the last of the Old Turtle series.  

Picture Book: Old Turtle: Questions of the Heart

Author: Douglas Wood
Illustrator: Greg Ruth 

Summary: Earth’s people have so many questions for Old Turtle. They ask an old woman if Old Turtle is real and how to find her for it was the old woman’s own grandmother who, as a little girl, found Old Turtle. The old woman says to “follow the whisperings of your heart” along the old, overgrown paths to find Old Turtle. Then she says she wants to come along. After a long journey, they find Old Turtle who encourages their questions:

What is our purpose in life?

How do we find happiness?

What about family?

Can you tell us about play?

What is evil?

And the old woman’s question: What of death?

Old Turtle wisely answers each and tells them of another, more important question:

Who are you and how will you live this day?

Once they understand this last question, the party leaves with this comfort from Old Turtle:

There is no question the heart can ask for which it cannot find the answer.

Hanna’s Comments: This book was published to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Old Turtle. It is dense with philosophical and spiritual ideas as Old Turtle answers each question over several pages. If you are going to present this book to an audience of young children, paraphrase rather than read all the text. They will love the illustrations. For older children or adults, consider reading this book over a series of lessons.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Each question offered to Old Turtle has connections with scripture, particularly in the wisdom literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and more in the Apocrypha. Asking questions of wise ones is a long-standing religious ritual that is evident in stories throughout the Bible. 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to continue an Old Turtle series of lessons while exploring important spiritual questions and emphasizing the developmental importance of doubt and questioning.

The Mysteries of an Elephant

Today’s post is not typical of PBT. I’m featuring 2 books based on an ancient Indian tale traditionally called The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant.

I’ll explore why either of these books would be fun and beneficial for a faith family. The labels at the bottom of this post will give you some ideas as well. You might even find another picture book based on this tale. Separately, I’ll give you some details for both books. The first book featured would be more appropriate for preschoolers or young elementary children. The second book attributes the story to Rumi, a wonderful 13^th century Persian poet who wrote The Elephant in the Dark as a part of a lengthy book of poems. 

This elephant parable is about the human tendency to make judgments and argue based on our limited experiences and perspectives. Both experience and perspective are crucial, but they can be misleading and righteous judgments can cause division. 

Faith families struggle with these issues. Too often people of faith think they have God all figured out when they simply have projected their experiences and perspective onto a limited image of God. Divisions are often due to such stalwart and narrow thinking. This old story is applied to theology often. In his most recent book about The Holy Trinity, The Divine Dance, Father Richard Rohr says, "We are like blind people touching the side of an elephant, describing the tiny portion we feel with all the conviction we can muster."

Delving in to this human tendency would be beneficial for children and adults in your faith family, but let them decide what the story is telling them about human nature. Don't impose onto them your interpretation of the book or you'll be demonstrating this human tendency yourself! 

Picture Book: Seven Blind Mice

Author & Illustrator: Ed Young

Summary: One by one, seven blind mice explore a strange "something." After each excursion, the mouse gives a different explanation. It’s a pillar…

It’s a snake…

It's a fan...

and so on until the 7^th mouse manages to investigate the whole elephant and declares what it truly is.

This book ends with a “Mouse Moral”

Knowing in part may make a fine tale,

but wisdom comes from seeing the whole.

Original Publisher & Date: Puffin, 2002

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

Scripture Connections: Trust God; don’t try to lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5); … but some doubted (Matthew 28: 17b); If I understand all mysteries but do not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2) 

Picture Book: Elephant in the Dark:                                                                 Based on a Poem by Rumi

Retold: Mina Javaherbin

Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin 

Summary: Rumi’s poetic tale The Three Blind Men and the Elephant is beautifully illustrated here. 

Villagers hear of a magnificent creature that has been brought from India by a traveling merchant. 

When they confront the merchant and demand to see the creature, he tells them to let him sleep. 

The villagers decide to inspect the creature themselves.

One by one, several people sneak into the dark barn where the creature is being kept, but they inspect the creature only in part and with haste.

One man says it’s like a snake. 

After wrapping his arms around the elephant's leg,

one man says it's a tree. 

The elephant's ear 

convinces a woman it's a fan. 

This results in lots of arguing and name calling and even shouting and shoving. 

When the merchant arises and parades the awesome elephant through the village, the villagers are too busy fighting to notice the stunning creature or realize how wrong they are. 

But, the children notice and are fascinated! 

This book has in the back an Author's Note and an Illustrator's Note. Check them out before reading to your audience.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Trust in the Lord; do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8); … but some doubted (Matthew 28: 17b); If I reveal all God’s mysteries but don’t love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2)