Wonderfully Made Girls (Boys too!)

 

Here are 2 books with similar themes. Strong Suggestion: Don’t dismiss these books because there are only females in them. Your boys need to hear and will learn from books featuring only girls. Females have done this throughout literary history! Encourage your boys to use their inner voices to "translate" when necessary. Most experiences in these books will be applicable to all genders! 

There is a teachable moment here regarding the Jesus’ version of The Great Commandment which added strength to the ideas of loving God and neighbor. Tap into your boys' desire to have strong-loving minds and hearts so they will develop empathy for girls & women. That will benefit everyone! 

The 1st book is a particularly beautiful collection of diverse girls declaring female power. These declarations can be extrapolated to boys easily. 

The 2^nd book is silly and fun, but it’s rich with meaning. It's a story about choosing to be yourself, rather than pretending. Engage boys by asking how they like to dress and play in costume. There is a lot of potential here for children, teens, and adults, particularly with recent political issues regarding gender. 

Also, check out the PBT books I link to below that are similar in theme or content!

Picture Book: I Am Enough

Author: Grace Byers

Illustrator: Keturah A Bobo

Summary: This book is not a narrative. Instead it is a book of similes that describe what is LIKE us – (these beautiful young girls and all of us!). It begins, “Like the sun, I’m here to shine.” Here’s a favorite: “Like the rain, I’m here to pour and drip and fall until I’m full.” This simile deserves some group interpretation! Only girls are shown. Talk about that. Then note that their situations are not “girly” – whatever that means. 

Hanna’s Comments: These declarations emphasize loving who you are, but they also emphasize being kind and respectful to who other people are! Have your audience note how the girls are interacting. Then talk about what Godly attributes they see or ask what Jesus would think of their words and actions. Explore ideas of The Holy Spirit giving them strength and resilience. There is a lot of movement in these pages so you might read again with group gestures or a  simple dance.

 

Original Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2018

Age Appropriateness: 3 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet & Audio 

Picture Book: I’m Me!

Author: Sara Sheridan

Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain

Summary: Little Imogene loves to play dress-up with her Auntie Sara! When she is greeted, it is clear that her auntie is ready to play. She keeps asking Imogen which world they will enter today. The double-page spreads become some of these imagined worlds and play-possibilities. Imogen keeps saying, "No. Today I want to be..." but then her auntie interrupts with another imaginary possibility. Finally, Imogen says that she wants to be... ME! The two playmates go have a grand and wonder - ful time at the park!

Hanna’s Comments: Practice reading this book for full impact. You want the drama of Imogen's words and your page-turning to have good effects. Ask your children about how feelings influence whether they want to pretend or be themselves in the real world. Be sure to remind them that God is always present in their imagined worlds and their real world. You might even want to talk about how God has given us humans particularly skillful imaginations for solving problems (think scientists & explorers) and for having fun (think writers & entertainers). If time allows, talk about how the practice of wonder leads people to think about God, God's world, and how we fit in to its beauty and joy.

Original Publisher: Chicken House, 2011

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

For both books...

Scripture Connections: God created humankind in God's image (Genesis 1:27); I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. (Psalm 139: 14); ...the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10); We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Romans 12:6); My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart. (Psalm 73:26); And other verses about strength in God and personal gifts from God. 

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: Both books are listed in my Trinity Treasures preschool curriculum for Year B in a lesson featuring Psalm 139.

PBT Applications: Read 1 or both of these books in an elementary Sunday school class. Talk about how Psalm 139 can be such a comfort when we are feeling unworthy and self-doubt creeps in OR when we are feeling lonely and we forget God is always with us. 

Links to similar PBT books:

Psalms for Young Children

When God Made Light

From Head to Toe God Made Me

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Have Fun Molly Lou Melon

Emma Dodd books see When I Grow Up  or  Just Like You

When I Hold You

Baby Believer series see Psalms of Praise: A Movement Primer

All of Me: A Book of Thanks

If you are interested in learning more about my Trinity Treasures, a scripture based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you agree to fill out the monthly feedback form.

Enough Already!

Picture Book: I Am Enough

Author: Grace Byers

Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo

Summary: This striking book is a celebration of loving who you are and embracing the many and varied aspects of you. A repeated pattern of similes are used: "Like the ___, I'm ___." Here is a smattering of this book's messages and illustrations.  
Like the sun, I'm here to shine. 

Like the voice, I'm here to sing.

Like the bird, I'm here to fly and soar high over everything. 

There's some paradox in the pairing of similes. 

Like the champ, I'm here to fight. 

AND Like the heart, I'm here to love. 

Learning 

and racing are important pursuits 

as well as supporting those who cry because a race doesn't go well. 

Respecting others' differences, opinions, and gifts is an important message here. 

Differences in appearance are worthy of notice and celebration, but each person's worth comes from much more than that. 

In the end, it is enough to "live a life of love, not fear" 

and know that each of us is enough.

Hanna’s Comments: The similes here are mostly abstract and will require concrete examples and exploration for young audiences. You may know the other work of this author. Grace Byers is an actor on Empire. She wrote this book to tool girls against bullying, but it offers all girls (and boys) an opportunity to be reminded of their resilience, while emphasizing kindness. Yes, there are only girls in this book. Don't let that keep you from sharing it with boys. Girls often experience media with no girls present. It's beneficial for boys to have such experiences. It builds empathy and understanding across gender lines. We all want and need more of that.
Original Publisher & Date: Balzer & Bray, 2018

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

Formats other than Book: Audio CD

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about inner strength or God's presence in us such as Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 4o:31, Isaiah 41:10, or Philippians 4:13; Made in God's image (Genesis 1:27); Let us run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1b); Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial (James 1:12); Behold what manner of love God has given us that we should be called the children of God. (1 John 3:1)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to an elementary class and talk specifically about how each child present has been blessed with resilient qualities thanks to being a unique child of God, made in God's image, for the betterment of the world. In other words, all are blessed to be a blessing. 

 

PBT Blog Series: Theological Statements for Young Children # 1

Illustration from cover of Me I Am by Jack Prelutsky & Christine Davenier

Over the course of several blog posts, I’ll be presenting my approach for connecting theological ideas to young children’s secular literature. My premise is that there are several specific theological statements that can be easily adapted and incorporated into a discussion of many secular books for toddlers and preschoolers.

For each blog post, I’ll offer the theological statement, ways you can adapt it for your particular use, a list of PBT books that connect to the statement, the date I posted about each of those books, and at least one new book. To find my detailed post about each book, simply click on the date.

The first theological statement is: 
You are a one-of-a-kind, precious child of God.

There are many books for young children that celebrate the fact that they are unique, valuable, and wonderfully made. I'm simply proposing that you offer your view that God made them that way. When doing so, point out positive aspects of each child and affirm those character traits while giving God the credit. Try not to focus on outward appearances, especially for your girls who might be too often told they are pretty but less often told they are brave or smart.

Today’s feature book is hilarious! What Baby Wants offers a story that children will love in which the title is a mystery to every one of Baby’s huge extended farm family except for his brother. While Baby’s mama gets some much-needed sleep, Baby screams and screams and no wonder! The strategies used to calm him are ridiculous. No baby wants flowers tickling his nose or sheep nibbling his hair. Finally, Baby’s brother feels empowered. He cuddles and kisses him, wraps him in a quilt, and sings him a lullaby. That’s what Baby wants!

Use this book as an invitation for your young audience members to tell you what they can do really well. Be sure to affirm them for their great problem solving like the brother demonstrates in this story. Your children will be delighted and you’ll have the opportunity to give credit to God who created each one-of-a-kind, precious child of God who is getting to hear this silly story.

Picture Book: What Baby Wants

Author: Phyllis Root

Illustrator: Jill Bartow

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick, 1998

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT books that connect with links to posts:

The Big Orange Splot - 7/16/14

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - 7/25/14

Chrysanthemum - 8/24/14

Me I Am - 9/24/14              

Spoon - 10/22/14

I Like Myself! - 12/31/14             

I’d Know You Anywhere - 1/31/15

Only One You - 4/11/15

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 324

Picture Book: Feel Confident

Author: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrator: Elizabeth Allen

Summary: From the point of view of a young girl in preschool or early elementary, this book has her asserting her value, skills, and confidence. She begins by looking at her baby photos and declaring, “I like being me - a very important person.” Then she quickly adds, “At every age, each person is important and has something to say.” Her comments range from embracing her strong body and mind to promising to try many new things. Specific skills are addressed such as looking people in the eye, saying “thank you” when given a compliment, and asking for help when a problem is overwhelming. She ends by explaining that she can feel confident about becoming the person she wants to be because in many ways she is already that person.

Hanna’s Comments: Psychologists are finding overwhelming evidence that building social-emotional skills, such as those addressed in this book, can simultaneously build their academic functioning. Likewise, connecting those skills to spiritual or faith-based values increases a child’s resilience and encourages positive outcomes like high school graduation and successful job entry. My hunch is those faith-based values are reinforced as well. So many concepts and skills are addressed in this book that there are many possibilities for connections to our Holy Scriptures.  In the end papers of this book, you’ll find a section called Ways to Reinforce the Ideas in Feel Confident! The material offered here includes a list of 10 confidence skills, vocabulary, discussion questions, and activities. This book is part of the Being the Best Me series of books. Twelve books are planned. Two of the other titles available now in that series are Bounce Back! A Book about Resilience and Have Courage! A Book about Being Brave. This author and publisher also have a Learning to Get Along series. Two titles in that series are Reach Out and Give and Respect and Take Care of Things.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Free Spirit Publishing, 2013  

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abilities, acceptance, authenticity, babies/children, body/body of Christ, challenges, choices/decisions, communication, community, confidence, emotions/feelings, family, growing up/growth, identity/names, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, participation, pleasing God/the Shema, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, self-reflection, strength/strength in God

Scripture Connections:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5 & Mark 12:29-30); be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14); your body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a program for preschoolers on being a beloved and unique child of God or on the Shema (the Deuteronomy scripture above) aka the Great Commandment. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 207

Picture Book: My Secret Bully

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Abigail Marble

Summary: Monica and Katie have been friends for years, but Monica is confused because now there are times when Katie is mean to her. She calls her names, talks about her in means ways to others, threatens Monica when she tries to play with mutual friends, and pointedly leaves her out of conversations and activities. Eventually Monica has no one to play with at recess so she starts to doubt herself and miss school because of stomachaches. Monica confesses her trouble with Katie to her mom who listens and helps her practice being more assertive via role-playing. The next day Monica confronts Katie in front of the other girls, and their relationship ends. Monica is sad about this loss, but she knows that real friends don’t treat each other the way Katie has treated her. She chooses to only be around people who really like her. Monica has new friends and no more stomachaches.

Hanna’s Comments: One benefit of this author’s books is the way she has the adult characters listening and then teaching appropriate coping strategies to the children. Be sure to check out the Forward by Susan Wellman, founder of the Ophelia Project. This introduction gives some details on emotional bullying aka relational aggression. In the back you’ll find Making a Difference: A Note to Parents & Teachers, a section called What can a Target do?, discussion questions, and lists of additional resources. Today’s book continues this week’s PBT focus on bullying before Anti-bullying week here in the US next week.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tricycle Press, 2004

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, anxiety/worry, belonging, betrayal, bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, endings, enemies, exclusion/inclusion,  friends/friendship, injustice, insecurity, power, problems/problem solving, relationships, resisting evil, security, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, trust/trustworthiness, victims

Scripture Connections: A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17); encourage one another and build one another up (1^st Thessalonians 5:11)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary-aged children if you are having any relationship problems in your group. Consider having them engage in some role-playing similar to what you find in this story.