How Big is Your Umbrella?

Below I feature my favorite picture book find so far this year! It is so simple and yet so profound and beautiful. It will definitely be reposted in the PBT Grab & Go category eventually.

Picture Book: The Big Umbrella

Author/Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Author: Juniper Bates 

Summary: A friendly umbrella is the protagonist of this fabulous picture book. It waits by the door. See its upside down face? 

 It hopes to be grabbed... 

and taken into the world.

It's really big...  

and loves to give shelter.  

 It doesn't matter who... or what you are! Really tall? 

Really hairy?  

Really plaid? 

Lots of legs? No matter, all are welcome! 

There's always room for anyone    

and everyone! 

Hanna’s Comments: If only all our umbrellas (and our invitations) had such smiles and capacities to grow! Obvious connections abound to the sacred practice of hospitality and issues of inclusion (so important in today's news headlines!). Under-girding this simple story and these beautiful images are God-ordained, scriptural themes of kindness, empathy, and a willingness to be squeezed into the joy of companionship. There are other PBT books Amy June Bates has illustrated, but this book is particularly special to her because she wrote it with her daughter, Juniper, who was only eleven at the time. The idea came as they were sharing an umbrella. Check out her illustrations in a book about vocation and giftedness called You Can Do It! here. She has 3 books about popular psalms. You'll find Let’s Make a Joyful Noise and I Will Rejoice featured here. Give Thanks to the Lord is a great book to read near an autumn holiday. Find it here. 

Original Publisher & Date: Simon & Schuster, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as a native (Leviticus 19:34); Love your neighbor (Mark 12:31); Parable of the Banquet Guests (Luke 14:15-24); show hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: The sacred practice of hospitality and issues of inclusion are lesson topics important for all ages. Don't let the simplicity of this story keep you from reading it to audiences beyond their early elementary years. Consider questions of who is really welcome at your church and how you show hospitality in light of the difficulty some folks have walking into church communities. 

PBT Redux #12 Flood

The effects of Hurricane Harvey have people in Texas and Louisiana once again ravaged and afraid, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Today I’ve chosen a book that visually represents the terror and heartbreak of flooding. Why would such a book be read in ministry? It is in our families of faith that we consider the hardest questions and heartbreaks and where we can be motivated to help those who are suffering. Picture books are tools to gently bring such hard matters to the surface so that relevant and meaningful faith conversations can happen. The book below is both beautiful and terrible, but it is not graphic. Consider reading it to elementary children, teens, or adults to explore the effects of flooding or other tragedies and bring about further healing or informed service.

Picture Book: Flood

Illustrator: Alvaro F. Villa

Summary: A family, who lives near a small river, receives flood warnings. With the help of neighbors, they place sandbags around their house, gather some things, escape to a hotel, and hope for the best. But the waters rush into their home anyway. All pitch in to clean and rebuild, and eventually their home is restored.

Hanna’s Comments: I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a wordless book for use with a group, but this book is stunning and directly relates to scriptures shared by the 3 Abrahamic faiths. Because it is a wordless book, you may want to have several copies of the book. Don't be afraid to have your audience just look at the book in silence for a moment as you turn each page. Also, it is imperative that you do a good job describing the illustrations as you direct their eyes to particular aspects of the story. Encourage discussion that relates directly to their experiences or the experiences of those they love. You could also explore broader subjects such as natural disasters or family tragedies and connect those comments to your beliefs and faith values.

Original Publisher & Date: Picture Window Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 7 & 8); the flood sweeps over me (Psalm 69:1-3)
Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson about the flood in Genesis. If your area suffers from a flood, read this to a serve team and consider how your ministry might respond.

PBT Techniques #6: Illustration Inspiration

Now and then I read a book with amazing illustration techniques that can be explored by children. I’m not big on crafts in children’s faith lessons because I find that too often they are super simple (pencil, glue, paper, scissors, etc.) or they reinforce the concepts only at the surface (color a sheep after The Parable of the Lost Sheep). Now and then the techniques in a craft or art experience can be another way to get across the message of the lesson. Think coloring mandalas or praying in color - see Praying in Color: Kid’s Edition [here]. 

The book below offers illustrations that would be fun to create. As I read, I imagined a table overloaded with discards and debris being used by children to create some fish. 

The inspiration for your children is all over the pages, but be sure to make some rain fish beforehand so you can guide them through the process. You might want to have some images of actual fish around so they can see the varying shapes, sizes, features, and colors. Also, you'll likely need to make fish cooperatively together or with you modeling, particularly at first.  

The concept of fish is found many places in our scriptures. While the children are making fish, continue talking about the concepts you want to reinforce and tie them directly to the making of the fish if you can. But your lesson doesn’t have to be connected directly to scripture. Your faith family’s history (ancient or more recent) is always another source for lessons. The symbol of a fish was and still is an identifying mark for Christians and an important story for Christian children to hear. There are many reasons a fish was used. The history behind this symbol will intrigue your kids. Check it out [here].

Picture Book: Rain Fish

Author & Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Summary: Mixed-media collage artist and picture book author extraordinaire Lois Ehlert offers an art lesson within a tale of redemption. 

The illustrations are stunning and messages of hope, resilience, freedom, and transformation after diversity are hidden between the lines as the debris and discards from a rain storm are transformed into rain fish. Here’s a bit of the text:

When blue sky turns gray

and it rains all day,

that’s when rain fish come out and play.

They hide in debris

until rain sets them free.  

Hanna’s Comments: In the Author’s Note, Ehlert explains that she collected her art materials from drains after storms. This took her a year so don’t have high expectations for the beauty of your children’s creations. Here the process will be much more important than the product, as is true in life. 

After reading, encourage your children to talk about the kinds of things that happen after a storm and then broaden those concepts into conversation about the positive effects of adversity. Mention that excellent art often comes in turbulent times. Also, people become more resilient and able to persevere when they have been in difficult situations. There are many examples in scripture.

After telling your children one or more of the scripture or historical connections of fish, have them make a fish or two from discards and debris you have provided. 

If you choose to tell them about the Christian Fish Symbol, teach them to make that symbol again and again with tools like paint brushes or calligraphy pens (it’s tricky but fun), until they have some mastery. 

Leaf Man is another of Ehlert’s books with similar illustration strategies. Other excellent Lois Ehlert books can be found at PBT [here] and [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Beach Lane Books, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The disciples were called to be fishers of people (Matthew 4:19); feeding loaves and fishes to the crowd (Mark 8 & John 6); All things can work together for good… (Romans 8:28)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to inspire a lesson about the positive effects after a “stormy” situation or the history of the Christian symbol of a fish. 

                              

God's Pleasing Puddles

Picture Book: Puddle

Author & Illustrator: Hyewon Yum

Original Publisher & Date: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2016

Summary: This is a clever story where the artist just might be the mother in the story. There is switching between the central story and the one created on a drawing pad. 

It starts with a young boy, disappointed on a rainy day because there’s “nothing to do.” His mother tries to engage him with her drawing pad. He resists, but eventually he joins in. 

They both enjoy the story they create about the two of them experiencing the rain and enjoying splashing each other with a puddle.  

Then they decide to go for “a real walk.” Mirroring their drawn story, they come upon a puddle. Help your young audience predict the joy that's on the next page.

Hanna’s Comments: A common passion that modern parents have for their children is getting them outside to play and discover nature. This kind of play can be even more beneficial when you add a spiritual aspect to such experiences. Early in this story, this mom encourages her child’s creativity and playfulness. Later, she expands his play so that he experiences nature. An easy next step, would be to give God some credit for the beauty and fun. Simply begin a conversation. Who created the rain? What's it for besides fun splashing? Is there any beauty in these puddles that we should thank God for? Close your eyes and hear God’s world raining. 

Psalm 37 verse 4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord!” This is contemplation! This is active prayer!

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to grandchildren on a rainy day. Then put on your rain gear and help them experience the potential and delight of God’s wet world.

Scripture Connections: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1); Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4a); worthy are you… for you created all things… (Revelation 4:11)

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 337

Picture Book: What Makes a Rainbow?

Author: Betty Ann Schwartz

Illustrator: Dona Turner

Summary: After a rainstorm, Little Rabbit’s mother says that soon they will see a rainbow. Little Rabbit asks the title question, and a series of animals help his mother explain. This is a Magic Ribbon Book which means that as you turn the page, a ribbon of a particular color drapes across the double page spread. In this case, ribbons of the colors of the rainbow are revealed each page turn. The book ends with Little Rabbit declaring the 3 things needed for a rainbow: rain, colors, and sunshine.

Hanna’s Comments: If this book is too immature for your audience, you’ll find lots of books about rainbows in the library some of which will emphasize the science behind the phenomenon which is always a nice addition to a lesson for children. You might want to teach the children in your audience the song, I Can Sing a Rainbow which is available on ITunes. This author and illustrator have another Magic Ribbon Book which you may want to consider. It’s called What Makes Music?

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Piggy Toes Press, 2000

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

# of Pages: 14 

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present, but you’ll find plenty of videos on Youtube.com on how a rainbow is made or describing how to do a science experiment about rainbows or light refraction. 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, beauty, covenant/promises/vows, the environment/nature, God’s presence, heaven/sky, light/morning, rain, rainbows, water, wonder

Scripture Connections: God said this is the sign of the covenant between me and you… I have set my bow in the cloud…. (Genesis 9:12-13) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about signs of God’s covenant or the story of Noah and the Ark.   

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 331

Picture Book: A Bucket of Blessings

Author: Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal

Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong

Summary:  Due to drought, the village well and pond have gone dry so the animals are suffering as they look for water. Monkey remembers a story about how peacock dancing can bring on rain. He climbs the mountain to request this of Peacock, but Peacock needs some water to make it rain. Monkey continues searching for water. In a cave, he finds a hidden spring. He fills a bucket, but he doesn’t realize it leaks. As Monkey climbs to Peacock, he is greeted by animals who are excited about the water he has found. They do not tell him of the leak, but they enjoy the water trail he leaves behind. Upon reaching Peacock, Monkey is surprised and disappointed to see that the bucket is almost empty. “This leaky bucket is cursed!” he says. Peacock tells him to look behind him. Monkey sees that the water has transformed the path he has trod. Peacock believes that if Monkey can make flowers bloom with just a few drops, then a rain dance just might work. Monkey pours the drops of water on Peacock’s head. Peacock dances. Monkey hopes. Then clouds form and rain begins to fall. Peacock exclaims, “That leaky bucket of yours… it was a blessing to us all!”

Hanna’s Comments: I have heard the heart of this story used in a few sermons. It is a powerful message about the positive effects we can have even when we are broken and unaware of our influences. It is also a story of perseverance and hope that can be connected to many of our Holy Scriptures. In the back you’ll find an Afterward by Dr. Maya Angelou who states that in this book, “The reader is shown that it is a blessing to be a blessing.” In the Authors’ Note the symbolism of the peacock in India and Hindu mythology is explained. Below I connected this story to 2 Old Testament stories and the concept of baptism. I also thought of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. One potentially powerful aspect of the Ethiopian story is that tradition holds (It may not be true but the story has been passed down over the centuries.) that the Ethiopian did take Christianity back to his home country where it flourished. It is fact that the Christian Church was established in Ethiopia relatively early, and the Ethiopian Christian Church’s official origin is grounded in this ancient story.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Beach Lane Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Traditional Tale

PBT Topics this Book connects with: action, Asia, baptism/cleanliness/washing, blessings, challenges, dance/dancing, difficulties, drink/thirst, drought, flowers/leaves/trees, found, goodness, harvest, helping, hope,  journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, labor/work, legacies, legends/myths, miracles, perseverance, rain, survival, transformation, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Manna given to the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16); Moses strikes a rock for water (Exodus 17:6); Philip transforms the life of the Ethiopian with scripture and baptism (Acts 8:26-39); the concept of baptism

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to a group of children in a lesson about the concept of being blessed to be a blessing or the transformation that water can bring. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 286

Picture Book: The Dove

Author: Dianne Stewart

Illustrator: Jude Daly

Summary: After crops are destroyed by flood on Lindi’s South African farm, she and her grandmother begin feeding a dove who they liken to the dove in the story of Noah’s ark. To buy new seed for planting and to feed themselves, they make traditional bead jewelry to sell at market, but they are unsuccessful. Then Lindi is inspired to make a beautiful beaded dove, a unique item, which sells easily. As new crops grow, they create new designs for beaded animals and begin to make a good living.    

Hanna’s Comments: Though this story ties into Noah’s ark, it could be used in a variety of lessons that are unrelated to the flood from the Hebrew Scriptures such as lessons on ingenuity or work, both of which are gifts from God. No matter your topic, be sure to talk about the symbolism of the dove in the Old Testament story and what it might mean to these two characters.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Green Willow Books, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32  

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Post 2 K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: Africa, animals, change, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, disaster, eggs/seeds, family, flood, gifts/giftedness/talents, home, labor/work, land/mountains, poverty, rain, storm

Scripture Connections: Noah’s ark (Genesis 6), be transformed by the renewal of your mind to discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2), according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a program about social justice issues surrounding fair trade practices or fair trade companies such as Ten Thousand Villages or SERRV.org.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 243

Picture Book: Nora’s Ark

Author: Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: Grandpa is building Grandma a new farmhouse on a hill. Grandma doesn’t see the point, but Grandpa is determined. It is almost finished when the rain starts pouring and the waters start rising. Prepared and fortunate to have this second home on high land, they move their necessities to the unfinished empty home. Then Grandpa goes to help stranded cows. Meanwhile, neighbors, human and otherwise, arrive at the new farmhouse for shelter. Grandma opens her doors not only to 23 human neighbors but to 100 chickens, 5 pigs, a duck, 4 cats, a cow, and a 3 horses! It is crowded but warm and dry. When Grandpa doesn’t return, Grandma and the young narrator go searching in a boat. They find him and a cow stuck in a tree. After rescuing him and returning to the farmhouse, Grandpa exclaims that he thought he was building a house, not an ark! After three days, the guests leave and grandpa continues work on the farmhouse, now the only house they own. The narrator, explains that the horses’ hoof prints in the new wooden floors of the farmhouse remained as comical evidence of the flood and the extraordinary hospitality of Grandma and preparedness of Grandpa.    

Hanna’s Comments: This story is based on a real event: The Vermont flood of 1927 which killed 84 and drove 9,000 people from their homes. The author’s note says that this story of compassion and courage is one of many that she has heard about regarding this tragic event.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, adaptation/assimilation, animals, anxiety/worry, beach/ocean/pond/river/sea/shore, belonging, body of Christ, bonds/connections, caring/tending, challenges, change, comfort, community, danger, dependence/interdependence, disaster, diversity, found, grandparents, helping, home, homelessness, hospitality, leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, neighborhood, new home/relocation, nurturing, openness, rain, rescue, safety, safe place/sanctuary, saving/savior, storms, survival, tragedy, unity, variety, victims, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Noah ark (Genesis 6-8)

Idea(s) for Application: The obvious lesson possibility for this picture book is when presenting the story of Noah’s ark to children. Another option is to use the book to talk about the concept of “sanctuary” as a safe haven or place one comes to hide. Tie this concept to the word’s meaning as a place of worship too. You might want to teach the chorus to the song “Sanctuary” by Jaci Valasquez which carries the meaning even further into another context that of a person becoming like a living sanctuary.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 142

Picture Book: Come On Rain!

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: On a sweltering day in the city, Tessie is hoping for rain. She sees clouds and smells a hint of a storm coming. Her mother weeds her sagging garden complaining of 3 weeks with no rain. Tessie convinces her friends to put on bathing suits and come outside. Eventually, Tessie’s hopes are realized for the sudden rainstorm does come, and the girls are waiting and ready. Soon the delight of the rain compels their mothers to join them, barefooted and barelegged. It’s an inter-generational dance celebrating the magnificent transformation of the city in a matter of moments.

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book is full of promise for scriptural connections. In this story you have a drought, a long hopeful wait, a prophet who acts on her beliefs by putting on a bathing suit and compelling others to do the same, the joy that comes when hopes (prayers) are realized, and the transformation of behavior and even relationships when their joy is expressed and shared.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1999

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audible

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adoration, celebration/party, community, dance/dancing, drought, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, hope, joy, neighbors, neighborhood, prayer, prophesy/prophets, rain, renewal/restoration, transformation, unity, water, weather, worship

Scripture Connections: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to help children understand how being a prophet is related to hope in God and faith in God’s ways. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 86

Picture Book: Flood

Illustrator: Alvaro F. Villa

Summary: A family, who lives near a small river, receives flood warnings. With the help of neighbors, they place sandbags around their house, gather some things, escape to a hotel, and hope for the best. But the waters rush into their home anyway. All pitch in to clean and rebuild, and eventually their home is restored.

Hanna’s Comments: I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a wordless book for use with a group, but this book is stunning and directly relates to scriptures shared by the 3 Abrahamic faiths. Because it is a wordless book, you may want to have several copies of the book. Don't be afraid to have your audience just look at the book in silence for a moment as you turn each page. Also, it is imperative that you do a good job describing the illustrations as you direct their eyes to particular aspects of the story. Encourage discussion that relates directly to their experiences or the experiences of those they love. You could also explore broader subjects such as natural disasters or family tragedies and connect those comments to your beliefs and faith values.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Picture Window Books, 2013

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? This is a wordless picture book.

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, anxiety/worry, beach/ocean/pond/river/sea/shore, body of Christ, brokenness, challenges, change, chaos/disorder, danger, death/loss/grief, disaster, emotions/feelings, the environment/nature, family, fear, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, helping, home, labor/work, perseverance, possessions, protecting/protection, rain, renewal/restoration, security, storms, survival, tragedy, transformation, unity, victims, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 7 & 8); the flood sweeps over me (Psalm 69:1-3)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson about the flood in Genesis. If your area suffers from a flood, read this to a serve team and consider how your ministry might respond.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 35

Picture Book: The Water Hole

Author & Illustrator: Graeme Base

Summary: This book is a journey across the globe. Various animals from different continents come to 1 water hole which gets smaller & smaller. The tale progresses on many levels. The depiction of the drought is startling, but the image of rain that follows is beautiful. Look for the world map & the fun frogs. Also, the margins have silhouettes of animals which are fun for identifying as you read.

Hanna’s Comments: This is such an interactive & fun book! It’s not just a counting book. Besides the story, it offers a puzzle and some subtle geography lessons. The story also evokes environmental concerns as well as ending with a peaceable kingdom image. Having multiple copies would be beneficial since the illustrations add to the enjoyment of this book.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harry N. Abrams, 2001

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 7 and up, 2nd 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: Africa, animals, Asia, Australia, bonds/connections/connectedness, care of creation, change, creation, dependence/interdependence, desert, difficulties, diversity, drink/thirst, drought, Earth/world, the environment/nature, Europe, geography, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, insecurity, North America, rain, renewal/restoration, sharing, survival, time/timing/over time, transformation, variety, water, wilderness

Scripture Connections: God creates animals (Genesis 1:21); the Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 65:25)

Idea(s) for Application: a lesson at a homeschool or private school when discussing God’s creation, the animal kingdom, or environmental concerns particularly water conservation