3 Books for Winter Solstice

Some churches are having Winter Solstice or Longest Night worship services. They view this as an opportunity to acknowledge the darkness of the season, particularly for those who have experienced loss or those who don’t find the hope of Advent as easily as our culture expects. 

Below I give you links to a couple of PBT books that could inform your worship planning. Also, these books could be read or their stories told to worshipers. 

Next, I feature an extraordinarily beautiful new book about darkness and light. It nicely connects to Jesus’ lost parables, but it could also be read aloud on Winter Solstice, when a conversation about holy darkness is potent with meaning.

Owl Moon, a beloved classic, amazingly could be read anytime during Advent (It is about longing and involves patience and silence.) and for Epiphany (It is about a journey in the dark.) On the longest night, it has particular resonance because of the family's milestone ritual - a dark search for an owl.

Singing Away the Dark is the author's very personal childhood story about how darkness on her way to school was frightening, but singing helped her manage her fears.

Picture Book: Dark on Light

Author: Dianne White

Illustrator: Felicita Sala

Summary: This book begins and ends with the same view: The first at sunset & the last at sunrise. 

But the point of this story is "Even when it is dark outside, there is still so much light."  Three young children look out the window as the sun goes down. 

The 3 go out the front door despite the darkness, flashlight in the hand of the oldest, with no adults. With poetic verse, the book celebrates what and who (Many animals & plants!) are sensed on their night journey. Are they exploring? On a night hike? No. It becomes apparent they are searching, at least the 2 oldest are. The youngest is distractedly playing! 

Earlier, on the 2nd double page spread, a dog has wandered from the home. This is who the children are seeking! This is who they were looking for through that window!

The beloved dog is found and greeted. 

Then all are made aware of the glorious sky! (See image at top.) All 4 head home and are lovingly greeted by the 2 adults (parents? grandparents? You decide.), who take them straight to their shared bedroom. There loving security is present in every nook and gesture so that a sleepy peace comes to all, especially the one lost then found.

Hanna’s Comments: The goal of finding the missing dog can be easily missed at a first reading. Once the dog was found, I realized they had snuck out to search. I went back to earlier pages and saw what I had missed. I suggest you introduce the book by reading the author & illustrator's names (Always do this!). Then say, "This is a book about 3 children who decide to go out at night because someone they love is missing." 

As you read, point to the details you don't want missed and teach some new vocabulary (sage, noble, sapphire...). With young children, together count the animals before turning the page. Choose 1 animal to say a quick prayer of thanks or praise to God. 

Encourage natural wonder about other living things, the darkness, and God's mysteries. Components of the story that you might want to use in a lesson include flashlights, sage, and lavender. An experience with essential oils would be a nice touch! End with an imaginary journey prayer about the dark. Encourage being mindful of God's treasures in darkness and thankful that God is with us always, everywhere, in light, dark, and when both are present, as is often true. 

Update: This author has published a similar book about the cycle of a day. It’s called Blue on Blue. It would be a great book for teaching gratitude practices across a typical day.

Her book Green on Green moves through a traditional North American seasonal cycle, including Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions. Those holidays are not named. However, the usual rituals are evident. Therefore, this book would serve well as a component of a lesson on the importance of seasonal and holiday rituals. Be sure to tie such rituals to God’s provisions.

Original Publisher: Beach Lane Books, 2022

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Jesus' 3 lost parables (Luke 15:1-2) or any scripture about searching such as the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46) OR how the light of love gives us courage in metaphorical or real darkness such as Ruth and Naomi must have experienced on their journey to Israel. 

PBT Applications: Read this book on the Winter's Solstice or to a group of children anytime of year to explore Jesus' lost parables. Spend extra time on pages that show the children's bedroom. Discuss the comforts of bedtime rituals & objects that help us feel safe and loved. Ask about feeling God's presence in bed.

Not Just for Goodnights

I tend to disregard books about bedtime since I imagine most of the PBT applications happening at church, far away from homes and beds. But bedtime is about security and love, both very godly concepts! This fun picture book classic offers such an appealing story! It will connect to many important (perhaps surprising) biblical stories and ideas. 

At the end of this post, I give you links to other PBT classic picture books! There are many! 

Picture Book: Good Night, Gorilla

Author & Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann

Summary: A male zookeeper begins his loving nightly ritual by saying good night to a series of animals. At the first interaction, his cage keys are lifted from his pocket by a smiling gorilla. The gorilla opens its own and others' cages as the the sleepy zookeeper moves toward the exit and his nearby home. At his front door, you can see a long line of animal friends that he has not noticed! 

All pile into his bedroom where the zookeeper's wife is sleeping and the zookeeper is oblivious. Even the gorilla is ready for sleep so it snuggles in next to her. Dark double-page spreads follow with speech bubbles of goodnights and then only her wide eyes. 

She quietly leads them back to their home cages. Nearly home again, she says good night to the zoo, but alas, gorilla and mouse are just behind her. Gorilla looks at the reader, finger to mouth, and shushes. The sleepy humans bid each other good night again, while gorilla and mouse find their places under the covers between the humans. 

Hanna’s Comments:  There are few words here so point to and explain aspects of the story as it unfolds in the illustrations. Be sure to mention the little mouse who is an important character and on every page! It drags a banana which isn't eaten until the end. Focus on the behavior of all the characters. They are so happy, likely because they are loved so well! The evidence is the toys in their cages and the humans' loving interactions with the animals.

Original Publisher: Putnam’s, 1994

Age Appropriateness: Infant and up

Amazingly, this book is sometimes called a “baby book.” Not so! Sure, babies can enjoy it if you point to animals and tell the story, but there is much love and joy in this book so preschoolers and elementary ages will enjoy it also! It does come in board book form, BUT those are hard to read to a group!

Formats other than Book: Tablet & Audio

Scripture Connections: This story can be easily connected to scripture in these ways (more follow in the next section): God in early Genesis and beyond, who is a caretaker of each species, Noah’s ark animals who must trust Noah’s entire family for their caretaking, Disciples who followed Jesus because they felt a loving connection (not only “the 12”), The Great Commandment to love others/neighbors, rituals (With the zookeeper's excellent example, teach the importance of godly rituals at church and elsewhere.)

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: In my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum, I list this book in 2 lessons: Year A, Pentecost 10 – All are Welcome (at church, which is like a loving home) AND Year C, Easter 3 – Paul and Ananias (God sends Paul to Ananias’ loving home where Ananias becomes a sort of caretaker for a time.)

PBT Applications: Read this book at a church sleep over, emphasizing that church is a sort of home where people may be lured and welcomed with love. With older audiences, talk about what it takes for us to feel comfortable and secure. Give thanks for those who offer such environments for us. Talk about what your church can do to encourage security and comfort for strangers, visitors, and others. Equate this orientation to God's Great Commandment. 

Here are links to some other PBT posts about classic picture books! Many are from my first year in which I posted a book everyday! The last 3 are the beginning of a PBT post series called Picture Book Classics: 

The Little Engine that Could

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Strega Nona

Corduroy

The Missing Piece

The PBT Series so far:

The Big Orange Splot

The Carrot Seed

The Happy Owls

Let me know if you think of other books I should post about!

Are All Welcome at Your Church?

Don’t read either of these 3 books to your faith family unless you are prepared to talk honestly about whether your faith community, without judgement and with fears in check, is willing to welcome anyone and everyone.

Picture Book: A Church for All

Author: Gayle E. Pitman

Illustrator: Laure Fournier

Summary: In simple rhyming verse, an inclusive worshiping community is celebrated. This book starts with a panoply of people anticipating a gathering at their church, a church for all. There they find joyful noises, laughing voices, weak and healthy, plain and dressy. All are embracing and "The Spirit is gracing," even the wailers and the wigglers. This church is full of "hearts believing" and "hearts accepting." 

Hanna’s Comments: Inspired by a visit to Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, this picture book is a challenge! Visually it is full of diversity, a loving and active sort of diversity. People who are young, old, gay, straight, physically able and not. Those who have differences are not just included; they are the heart of this godly community of Christ. The sanctuary of the church is shown with posters of progressive messages all over the walls. This is not your grandparent's church!

Original Publisher & Date: Whitman & Co. 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any scripture in which Jesus crosses societal boundaries such as conversations, meals, and the healing of women, tax collectors, and gentiles.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of preschoolers and older. Encourage them to consider this vision of church and how your church is similar or different.

Picture Book: All Are Welcome

Author: Alexandra Penfold

Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman

Summary: This delightful story is about a diverse classroom (not a church classroom) where everyone is welcomed and encouraged to grow. More importantly, it is a place where fears are lost and hope is found. Music, art, and stories are explored and celebrated together. No one is left out. Even bread is served in all its cultural diversity. The text emphasizes that strength is found through diversity so that these children learn from each other and enjoy time together.

Hanna’s Comments: Despite this secular setting, there are many parallels to church, particularly in the text. When we enter a church, what we want are our fears lost and hopes found. We want to sing together and tell some stories – Bible stories and personal stories. Two fun bonuses: The center is a big fold out page that captures the glory of diversity. If purchased new, inside the book jacket you'll find a poster!

Original Publisher & Date: Knopf, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Do not judge (Matthew 7:1-5); The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27 & Ephesians 4:16); Show no partiality (James 2: 1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary-aged children and talk about how your church compares with this classroom and neighborhood.

2022 Update: This author-illustrator duo have 2 more books. More may follow. All 3 have the big foldout at the center of their stories and a poster inside if purchased new. All involve the same young characters. 

Big Feelings is about how these children manage responses when things don't go as planned while they renovate a deserted plot in their community. Talking things through, apologizing, and adapting plans are 3 of the many social-emotional skills recommended. So many of these skills are biblical! Feelings are identified throughout the pages. This is such an important skill to teach children! Exploring feelings in church allows you to remind all that God loves and accepts every feeling.

In All Are Neighbors, a newbie to the neighborhood is welcomed. The concept of "community" is explored while the children show their new friend her new neighbors and neighborhood. A repeated sentence is: We all are neighbors here. There is a surprising number of scriptures that encourage the spiritual practice of hospitality! Be sure to have your audience reflect on how hospitable their communities are and your shared faith community.

Picture Book: Everybody’s Welcome

Author: Patricia Hegarty

Illustrator: Greg Abbott

Summary: This story begins with one little mouse who is determined to have a “great big happy house.” The mouse encounters a series of animals in distress and invites them to help build a home they will live in together. Some animals have had homes destroyed. Some have been chased from their homes. One bear just doesn’t fit in anywhere. He scares others because of his great size. A snail arrives very late but is welcomed just the same. All need healing and want a home that is secure. I couldn’t help but think of parallel human stories of folks walking into the doors of a worshiping community. Some of these characters' troubles are directly linked to scripture. Think Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood (does she have a home or community?) or the man who is mentally ill and living among the tombs. The snail is like the workers in the vineyard who arrive late but are still generously rewarded. Lots of connections here!

Hanna’s Comments: Here you have a metaphor for church or any community where Christ is the center. My favorite aspect of this story is that news of these animals’ work and manner spreads and more animals come to be healed and included. This is what’s happening at my church. Every Sunday I see new faces who have been hurt by the church. They enter with trepidation but are eager for acceptance and longing for love meaning. It feels so good to greet them and tell them they are welcome.

Original Publisher & Date: Little Tiger Press, 2017

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Jesus heals the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22); Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16); Jesus heals the man who lives among the tombs (Mark 5:1-20)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children and help them imagine people who are like these animals, longing for a new church home. Then talk about what it looks like when a church community is a place of healing, safety, and stories.

PBT Theme List: Peace

Today is Black Friday in the States, a day of Christmas shopping in excess. I woke up to headlines that there was a shooting last night in a mall walking distance from my home. When did the shootings become so ordinary?! Lord have mercy on us all! Forgive our violence and help us with our fears. 

Perhaps you too are in search of peace as we anticipate Advent and The birth of the Prince of Peace. Here is a nice variety of 6 secular books about peace. Scripture connections and ideas for applications in your ministry are at the end of the post. 

Picture Book: A Little Peace

Author & Photographer: Barbara Kerley

Summary: This is a collection of photographs of people from various parts of the globe who are enjoying “a little peace.” Images of peace range widely from two English men in the snow tipping their hats to one another to a group of whirling Buddhist monks worshiping in Bhutan and then to an American military doctor cuddling a child who had been caught up in a battle. In the back you’ll find a world map and an explanation of each photo including details and location. The book ends with a note by Richard H. Solomon, President of the United States Institute of Peace.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: National Geographic, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Picture Book: The Peace Book

Author & Illustrator: Todd Parr

Hanna’s Comments: For thoughts about peace with elementary or preschool children, consider Todd Parr's fun exploration of what peace looks like. 

He also offers a global and even ecological perspective, often with a bit of humor and some meaningful situations for young children. His books often connect directly to scripture, sometimes with a little twist. Peaceful acts can lead to life-long aspirations for world change. Parr finds peace in simple, fun gestures and big, hard work. His characters are sometimes surprising, often human and animal, but very relatable. Your children will love his whimsy and his heart. As usual, Parr ends this book with a letter to his readers.

Original Publisher & Date: Little, Brown & Co., 2004

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Picture Book: Peace, Baby!

Author: Linda Ashman

Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Summary: Conflict resolution in verse is the appeal of this delightful picture book. Here young children’s situations of conflict in the home or classroom are used to illustrate more peaceful alternatives than verbal or physical aggression. With each offering is the suggestion to try or say, “Peace Baby.” Eventually the arenas of peacemaking broaden to interactions with all sorts: parents, teachers, strangers, and all of creation.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a fun, clever book aimed at reducing conflict among young children by giving them conflict resolution and peacemaking strategies along with a new, fun phrase. Being able to deal with strong feelings is a crucial skill that will benefit everyone in your religious community.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: Chronicle Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

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, it has been recorded by many famous singers. It is a clarion call for world peace as well as 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.” For “Let me walk with my brother,” change 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 and give your 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.

Picture Book: Peace is an Offering

Author: Annette LeBox

Illustrator: Stepanie Graegin 

Summary: These simple rhyming phrases explore the concept of peace via ordinary, loving gestures in a neighborhood, the place where young children would most understand peace. Generous acts like visiting and serving someone in need and enjoying God's gifts of nature with friends all instruct young children to notice how peace is abundant. This book explains in simple terms that gratitude and contemplation are important tools for peace, as is affection and being at table together. This diverse community of children (and sometimes their parents) are shown engaging in thoughtful acts, companionship rituals, hospitality, play, and even strategic avoidance of violence. You’ll find a reference to 9/11/01, but it is subtle and isn’t likely to be disturbing to young children. Hope and joy are interwoven in this text and the images are comforting. 

Hanna’s Comments: These are fear-ridden times. Sometimes the loudest messages of fear come from faith families and are overheard by children. Instead, I believe the place where children first worship and learn about God should be grounded in peace and love. We have many children riddled with anxiety. Their worship communities can address some of their fears and offer God's hope instead. The key to this heartwarming book are messages of abundance and calls to be sensitive to another’s needs while contemplating with gratitude the beauty of our world. Here be reminded that when loving acts occur, peace can be found. Opportunities for such acts are everywhere, especially in your neighborhood, but also with those you love most, like those in your faith family.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Picture Book: Growing Peace: A Story of Farming,                                               Music, and Religious Harmony

Author and Photojournalist: Richard Sobol

Summary: This story begins and ends in Africa in the village of Namanyonyi, near the border of Uganda and Kenya. Namanyonyi is unusual. In this small Ugandan village live Christians, Jews, and Muslims. They live in harmony, but they used to live more separately. Here you see children from each religion enjoying futbol. (The hats identify the boy in the middle as Jewish and the boy on the right as Muslim. Since one villager's witnessing of 9/11, they live more cooperatively and productively. J. J. Keki, a musician and coffee grower, happened to be in New York City on his way to The World Trade Center on 9/11. He emerged from the subway station in time to see one of the planes hit a tower. His life, like so many others, would never be the same. He came home and realized his village offered a perfect opportunity to model interfaith cooperation. Most families have a garden for food but also grow coffee for export. (They prefer to drink tea.) Through contacts made in his village via his children's many friends, Mr. Keki met with village farmers of all 3 religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Together they created a farming cooperative so that they can import their coffee at a better price and highlight their cooperation despite their village's religious diversity.  On the sign below find the word "Kawomera." It means "delicious." The Delicious Peace Growers Coop was born and has transformed this community! A model of interfaith cooperation was been born thanks to one man's determination to counteract religious hatred! J. J. Keki has even written songs celebrating the extraordinary peace and joy that his village now experiences. Besides a detailed account of this story, you'll find the process of growing coffee beans. Children and adults are photographed demonstrating the steps: the harvesting of coffee cherries, the drying of their seeds, the shaking to remove skins, the bagging, and the transporting to a Kenyan sea port. Growing Peace offers a wide but pragmatic perspective on peacemaking, integrated with economic cooperation. 

Hard work is celebrated here as well as the joy of living in the diversity that God ordains through nature and humanity.

Hanna’s Comments: There is so much text in this book that I highly recommend reading it over a couple of sessions or telling (rather than reading) this powerful story while showing the photographs. Find in the back an Author's Note and lots of resources including a glossary which will help with pronunciation. The music behind this story is available [here] and you can purchase the fair trade Delicious Peace Coffee [here]. 

Check out other PBT books about Africans' responses to September 11, 2001 [here] and [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Lee & Low, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: This story is told in a feature-length video available at [Youtube]

Scripture Connections For All These Books: For unto us a child is born… his name shall be called… Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6); Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6); Those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20); Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their toil. If they fall, one will lift up the other. (Ecclesiastes 4:9); Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14); Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38); I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. (John 16:33); ...live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:11); may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (Romans 15:13); the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:12); Now may the lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16); Strive for peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14); Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17); ...seek peace and pursue it.(1 Peter: 3:11)

Idea(s) for Application For All These Books: For a discussion within your faith family, talk about the confusing concept of “peace.” It will help ground them in rich meaning, even if they exit the conversation without being able to verbalize an exact definition of peace. Also, explore what peace looks like in community, school, home, or your faith family. Read Peace, Baby! in a religious childcare center along with a lesson on God’s desire for us to live peacefully. After reading Let There Be Peace on Earth, consider singing it as well then talk about conflict and reconciliation. Read Growing Peace to a group of older children or adults and consider how scripture encourages cooperative community, even across religious traditions. 

PBT Series: Picture Book Classics #3

Below I'm featuring again a favorite discovery during my first year of PBT. Because that year I posted about a book everyday, you don't get as many photos of illustrations, but all the usual content is here. This is a beautiful classic that I encourage you to read for yourself if you don't know it. It's central message is needed more than ever across ages and in sacred and secular communities.  

Picture Book: The Happy Owls

Author & Illustrator: Celestino Piatti  

Summary: A pair of owls lives happily all year long. Their neighbors, barnyard fowl, are constantly eating, drinking, and fighting. The preening peacock wants to know why the owls seem to always be content. The other birds suggest that he visit them and ask. When the peacock asks about their happiness, the owls suggest he bring all his feathered friends to hear how they can be so content. Once all the birds are together, the owls explain and demonstrate their attentiveness and joy at seasonal details of nature. These practices of attention and gratitude lead to their happiness. The owls find joy and revel in the beauty of each season. What is the response of the barnyard animals? “What nonsense!’ and “Do you call that happiness?”  Then they return to their farmyard life, unpersuaded and unchanged. In contrast, the two owls snuggle in for winter, looking into one another’s wise owl eyes.

Hanna’s Comments: My library system has only one copy of this book, a 1964 publication. However, this classic has been reissued and can be easily purchased on-line. The price varies a lot so you may want to watch it for a while. I did not know of this classic which was initially published in Switzerland. When I saw the video in the collection mentioned below, I knew it must be one of my PBT daily offerings. What a treasure! What a beautiful message of contentment as a result of attention and gratitude, what we would call “mindfulness” today. If you like old books and styles of art, then you’ll especially like this picture book. Find a blog post about it on The Art of Children's Picture Books, which I've added to My Blog List to the right.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Artemis Verlag, 1963

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

Formats other than Book: Audible, A video version is in the collection Corduroy & More Stories about Caring

Scripture Connections: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be thankful (Psalm 118:24); let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28)

Idea(s) for Application: Reverence is a difficult but important concept to teach children in a worshiping community. Use this book to help your children understand the benefits of being mindful of God’s generosity and reverent when worshiping.