PBT Redux #17 A New Year's Hope & Prayer

Picture Book: Let There Be Peace on Earth                                                                  and Let It Begin with Me

Authors: Jill Jackson & Sy Miller

Illustrator: David Diaz

Summary: This picture book’s text is a song familiar to many. Written in 1955, the song has been recorded by many singers throughout the world. It is a clarion call for world peace and interpersonal peace. Besides the song lyrics, you’ll find an audio CD which includes 11 other songs by these writers. The illustrations feature international symbols of peace which are explained in the back of the book. Other features include historical aspects of the song and its writers as well as the musical score.

Hanna’s Comments: If you are bothered by the masculine terminology, particularly “With God as our Father, brothers all are we.” adapt to “With God, our creator, children all are we.” Change “Let me walk with my brother,” to “Let us walk with each other.” Use sticky notes to replace the words on the pages. Simply explain to your audience that the meaning and use of language changes sometimes. Then give your personal reasons for making the changes.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: None at Present, On the internet, there are many videos of this song being performed.

Scripture Connections: Those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20); live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18); blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); strive for peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book or singing along with it as a part of a lesson on the beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew or as part of a lesson on issues of peace, conflict, and reconciliation. 

PBT Redux #16 Squirrel's New Year's Resolution

Picture Book: Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution

Author: Pat Miller

Illustrator: Kathi Ember

Summary: Squirrel hears about making a New Year’s Resolution on the radio, but she doesn’t know what that means so she asks Bear. Bear explains that a resolution is “a promise you make to yourself to be better or to help others. When we begin a new year, we make a fresh start.” Squirrel is intrigued. As she visits with her friends throughout the morning, she hears of their resolutions and helps them in their endeavors. When her friends are gathered at the diner for lunch, Squirrel is frustrated because all her friends have made New Year’s resolutions, but she has not. After realizing how helpful Squirrel has been to her friends all day, Rabbit suggests that Squirrel has already begun a wonderful resolution: To help someone every day. Squirrel agrees and predicts that it is going to be a very happy year.

Hanna’s Comments: The concept of making resolutions can be very confusing for young children. This story will offer a faith community, private school classroom, or homeschool group an opportunity to explore making resolutions for the new year. You may want to expand the concept to making a promise to God as well as self. Explain how God hopes we will continually develop our godly inclinations and expand righteous behaviors, especially those that benefit others. In the United Methodist Church, we call this moving on to perfection as well as what other denominations call this process: developing holy habits, growing discipleship, and/or spiritual formation. 

If you are hoping for deeper spiritual formation this year, may I suggest The Academy for Spiritual Formation, an international ecumenical retreat program (2 year or 5 day) designed for spiritually hungry people (lay people or church staff). There are 3 general components: academic learning, spiritual disciplines, and meaningful community. PBT is the result of my 2 year Academy. For that experience, I am forever grateful!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Whitman Books, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The Lord is a shield to those who walk in integrity… Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. (Proverbs 2:5); pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22); let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4); whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him. (1 John 2:5).
Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to help children in your faith community understand the concept of resolutions and how they can encourage us to become more godly in our thoughts and behaviors. Be sure to offer suggestions of simple ways your children could do this throughout the new year. Follow up with encouragement as the year progresses including sharing how you are doing with your own resolution.

PBT Redux #13 - Follow Me!

Here’s another great book I’m offering as a part of my PBT Redux Series in which I offer again (with a little editing) an earlier post about a particularly good picture book that was published recently. The books in this series are treasures! Little ones will especially love this silly book, but it packs some theological punch for sure. 

Picture Book: Follow Me      

Author & Illustrator: Ellie Sandall
Summary: Lemurs, many of them and of all sizes,

follow their leader towards food, 

away from danger, 

and eventually sleep. 

This fast-paced rhyming book is packed with double page spreads of racing, chasing, 

and community delight. 

"Follow me” is read time and time again as the lemurs experience a crazy day in the rain forest.

Hanna’s Comments: Preschoolers know how to follow, so this is a good book for beginning to build concepts of discipleship to Christ and devotion to God. Hopefully these concepts will grow throughout their lives. To convert the reading of this book to a religious lesson, begin with a game that involves following. Then talk about the concept while giving examples of following in the secular world and how that word is commonly used in your family of faith. Specific behavioral examples will help them understand. For instance, say “Jesus listened to people. If you want to follow Jesus, then be like Jesus and listen to your parents.” OR “God wants us to follow God’s rules. ‘Do not lie’ is one of God’s rules. Telling the truth means you are following God’s rules.” These concepts are at the heart of discipleship and righteousness, but those 2 words are too complex for young children so simpler words with concrete examples are necessary. My PBT series Theological Statements for Young Children offers 12 posts based on 12 simple religious ideas. Each post lists age appropriate books that connect to each statement. Follow Me connects directly to several of these statements. Check out the beginning of this series [here].

Original Publisher & Date: McElderry Books, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-26); they left everything and followed Jesus (Luke 5:11); whoever follows me will not walk in darkness (John 8:12); if anyone serves me, you must follow me (John 12:26) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to young children when introducing them to the concepts of following Jesus or following God’s ways.

PBT Series Grab & Go #11 - 14 Cows for America

The anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11/2001 is nearing so I thought I’d offer a repost of an inspirational story resulting from that event.  Today my feature is a part of the PBT Grab & Go Series featuring books that would be easy lessons for faith families. 14 Cows for America quickly inspires thinking and conversation about compassion, generosity, and international relationships. This picture book was offered in a Dynamic Duo during PBT's first year. I paired it with another story in which Africans responded generously to American suffering. Check out that post [here].

Picture Book: 14 Cows for America

Author: Carmen Agra Deedy

Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez

Collaborator: Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah

Summary: Months after the World Trade Towers were destroyed, a Kenyan student, who was in New York City on that day, returned to his beloved Maasai tribe and shared the story. Greatly affected by the terrible events, Kimeli asked the elders to ceremoniously bless the giving of his only cow, a valuable gift. For the Maasai, the cow is life. This ritual is seen as a way of taking on some of America’s pain. Moved by the story, the elders agreed. When an American diplomat came to the blessing ceremony, his country was given not 1 but 14 cows. This true story of international compassion and generosity has been shared around the globe and continues to inspire. 

Hanna’s Comments: Although this story is about Kenyan Maasai and the USA, it is a story that can bless those in any community in which international connections are valued and compassion ignores borders. Be sure to read Kimeli’s Afterward. This book is the first in a PBT Dynamic Duo. Tomorrow’s PBT offering is another picture book involving an African tribe’s desire to give to a suffering New York City during The Great Depression of the 1930s.  

Original Publisher & Date: Peachtree Publishers, 2009

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

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Find more information at www.14cowsforamerica.com, including a Teacher’s Guide and news of the flag commemorating this gift.

Scripture Connections: Giving to the poor (Proverbs 19:17, 25:21, 28:27), To the least of these (Matthew 25), the Gentile churches give to the suffering in the Jerusalem church (Romans 15: 22-29, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a sermon or lesson about giving across international borders when a community is suffering.

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) 

PBT Grab & Go #8 - Just a Dream

Below is a revised post featuring my favorite PBT book about environmental concerns. Tomorrow is Earth Day and here in The States there will be a nation-wide (perhaps world-wide) March for Science. Here are links if you want to know more about [Earth Day] or [The March for Science]. 

Picture Book: Just a Dream 

Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg 

Summary: Walter is a present-day litterbug with futuristic optimism grounded in his love for science fiction (SF). He doesn’t bother to recycle and sneers at Rose next door who has asked for a tree for her birthday. Then a dream has his bed traveling through a series of scenes in the future. Walter doesn’t find the SF-infused future he longs for but a polluted, ugly, and treeless future instead. Walter wakes converted and immediately begins sorting the trash. He even asks for a tree for his upcoming birthday. Later he has another dream with a revised future in which he and Rose’s 2 trees thrive under a clear sky, thanks to the behavioral changes humans have made to preserve the environment.
Hanna’s Comments: Though this message is heavy-handed, its simplicity will speak to children who, for developmental reasons, tend to view controversial issues such as environmental issues like climate change with black & white tones. As expected from Van Allsburg, the illustrations are striking and offer much potential for conversation about our God-ordained role in environmental concerns and God's hope for our planet and all its creatures. I recently heard an interview with biblical scholar and seminary professor Ellen Davis on On Being, my favorite podcast. Dr. Davis and host Krista Tippett discuss Genesis 1:26, where we read the command God gives humans at their creation. Dr. Davis explains that the verb in the Hebrew language that has traditionally been translated "to have dominion" actually means "to exercise skilled mastery." She describes this act as a sort of craft or art in which we are privileged to have responsibility for our earth. [Here's] the link to that interview entitled The Poetry of Creatures. Fascinating and inspiring because along with it you get to hear some of Wendell Berry's beautiful poetry!

Publisher & Date of Publication: HMH Books, 1990 

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up 
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Humankind has been blessed with the role of exercising skilled mastery over creation (Genesis 1:26); God gives…and it was good (Genesis 1:29-31), Zacheaus converts (Luke 19:1-10) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in a private school’s Arbor Day program or at a kickoff for a church’s recycling program.

PBT Series: God Book #3

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner is well known across religious boundaries. His wife, Karen, is a clinical social worker. Together they have written the PBT books featured below.

Picture Book: Because Nothing Looks Like God

Authors: Lawrence & Karen Kushner

Illustrator: Dawn W. Majewski

Summary: In this well-considered picture book, 3 very general questions about God are explored via diverse characters, both human and non-human. The first is “Where is God?” Answers include, “God is in the way people come together” or “In worms turning leaves into earth. God is everywhere if we look.” Next question: “What does God look like? God looks like nothing. And nothing looks like God. But there are many things you cannot see and still we are sure they are there.“ The last question is “How does God make things happen?” After this question, readers are inspired to look at various contexts (family, school, etc.) and notice how people help each other. Then they are encouraged to look in the mirror and consider how they might help someone today. 

Note: The three questions in this book have been used to create 3 separate board books for younger children. Each could be inspiration for a more focused conversation with elementary children, but don’t show those older kids the board book. Here’s an example:

Hanna’s Comments: I’m particularly enthusiastic about this picture book because it says, “God is with us every day, in every way.” In the back is a section for parents and teachers explaining why this book is not comprised of dogmatic answers. Instead, the authors state that their purpose is to help children “lay down the foundation of what will become a mature adult spiritual world-view.” Then they suggest that parents continue the conversations that begin in this book. When conversations like these begin early at home and are continued in the context of a faith family, those foundations become well-grounded and authentic to the child’s experience.  

Original Publisher & Date: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2000

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, 

3 board books versions:

What Does God Look Like?

Where is God?

How Does God Make Things Happen?

Scripture Connections: I have no good apart from You (Psalm 16:2b); the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1); God is love (1 John 4:8)

Idea(s) for Application: I used this book in a class for parents of preschoolers at my church. It's great for parents who are longing for more instruction on how to better spiritually equip their children. 

Preschoolers Know How to Follow

Picture Book: Follow Me      

Author & Illustrator: Ellie Sandall

Summary: Lemurs, many of them and of all sizes, 

follow their leader towards food, 

away from danger, 

and eventually sleep. 

This fast-paced rhyming book is packed with double page spreads of racing, chasing, 

and community delight. 

Follow me” is heard time and time again as the lemurs experience a crazy day in the rainforest.

Hanna’s Comments: Preschoolers know how to follow, so this is a good book for beginning to build concepts of discipleship to Christ and devotion to God. Hopefully these concepts will grow throughout their lives. To convert the reading of this book to a religious lesson, talk about the concept of “following.” Then give examples of how that word is commonly used in your family of faith. Specific behavioral examples will help them understand. For instance, say “Jesus listened to people. If you want to follow Jesus, then be like Jesus and listen to your parents.” OR “God wants us to follow God’s rules. ‘Do not lie’ is one of God’s rules. Telling the truth means you are following God’s rules.” This is the heart of discipleship and righteousness but those words are too big for young children. My PBT series Theological Statements for Young Children offers 12 posts based on 12 simple religious ideas. Each post lists age appropriate books that connect to each statement. Follow Me connects directly to several of these statements. Check out the beginning of this series [here] and email me if you’d like a list of the 12 statements.

Original Publisher & Date: McElderry Books, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-26); they left everything and followed Jesus (Luke 5:11); whoever follows me will not walk in darkness (John 8:12); if anyone serves me, you must follow me (John 12:26) 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to young children when introducing them to the concepts of following Jesus or following God’s ways.

Microphones, Bullies, & Stinky Feet

The following 3 books are a series. Each is rich with potential conversations about what it means to be meek and yet self-determining, manipulated and then powerful, anxious and yet willing to trust joy. Through these 3 books, you’ll see Willow evolve in ways that are worth examining. It is likely that the children in your faith family are like Willow at times, struggling with the demands of school and their own uncertainty. Adults could learn a thing or two from Willow’s tenderness, courage, and determination.  

Picture Book: Willow’s Whispers

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In this introduction to Willow, we learn that she is very soft-spoken.

This causes some problems in her classroom because she is not able to communicate her desires. Eventually, she cleverly creates a microphone that helps. 

When the mike is accidentally crushed, she realizes her strength to speak so that she can be heard.

Hanna’s Comments: The reasons for Willow’s soft voice are not told to us here. Instead, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to be unheard and even unseen.

This situation can be applied to all sorts of individuals and groups, in school situations and in adult situations such as in the office, in faith contexts, or in situations of disenfranchisement. Think broadly and personally while getting to know Willow. Consider how your children’s faith might inform their responses to personal limitations and others who are left out.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  Put on then… compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12); Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:4)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family all about striving beyond personal limitations with determination and God’s creative problem-solving.

Picture Book: Willow Finds a Way

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In the 2nd book, Willow and her classmates struggle with a class bully. We glimpse Kristabelle in book 1. Here she comes to class with a party invitation list and threatens to mark off the name of anyone who doesn’t follow her demands. 

Eventually, Willow is the one who courageously marks her own name off of the list. Other classmates follow. Kristabelle is hurt and isolated until Willow goes to the back of the line to “stand with Kristabelle” who then apologizes. 

Kristabelle tears up the invitation list saying, “My party will be fantastic… if all of my friends will come… please.” 

Hanna’s Comments: This book is about hospitality and courage, 2 important subjects for children to explore with their faith families. The world is hurting right now because of bullies sowing division and good people on the sidelines feeling powerless to speak up in ways that are civil, courageous, and kind. Point out that Willow also stands with Kristabelle, when she is hurting, and that makes all the difference. 

Ground all of this behavior in the context of biblical principles so that your kids will feel more empowered to make a positive difference in their classrooms and their world. Teach your children well and perhaps their parents will learn from them.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to stand up to bullies and then be compassionate towards their hurting.

Picture Book: Willow’s Smile

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In book 3 Willow is anxious about picture day. Again, the reason is not given, but her anxiety is very real. 

Her teacher handles this beautifully by asking the photographer to allow Willow to be his assistant. As photos of her friends are taken amidst the shouts of the silly names such an occasion calls for, Willow is encouraged to help each friend smile. 

When it’s her turn, Willow doesn’t smile until her friends give her many reasons, including a shout of “Hey, Mrs. Tickle Toes!” At the group photo, Willow joins all her friends in saying “Stinky Feet!” with a smile.

Hanna’s Comments: My favorite point in this story is when Willow, without hesitation, gives a ribbon to her friend who forgot it was picture day. 

This is such a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes to Willow’s character and lack of vanity. Children need examples like this. Spend some time on just this little Willow moment, connecting it with scripture and your faith family’s values.   

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things… and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9); Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to let their community help when they are struggling with anxiety.