PBT Series: For Our Youngest Children #3 Emma Dodd's "Love You" books

Picture Book Series: “Love You”

Author & Illustrator: Emma Dodd

Age Appropriateness: infant to age 5

Over the past few years, I’ve discovered a fabulous picture book series by an author/illustrator. The illustrations are beautiful in their simplicity and charm. The central focus in every book is the rich and profound love between a parent and child. At PBT, I hope you're learning to understand this: Parental love is particularly meaningful to children so it is the best comprehension connection to God’s love for us. Most children learn about loving ways from parents. These books present the daily treasures of such love by showing how God’s love for us is embodied, shared, and treasured. 

Before I give applications for ministry, let me emphasize that ALL these books would be wonderful gifts for a newborn or adopted child. The PBT bonus is parents & grandparents can simply read the book and then at the end of the reading say something like:

“God’s love is like that too.”   OR

“God loves you as much as I do.”    OR    

"All our love comes from God."        OR

“God gave us  all this love!”

The first 2 books I would not recommend for ministry, but they can be presented as explained above with a simple comment to a child in your family. One is for bedtime, so ministry applications don’t work. The 2^nd is all about intimate cuddling, which is not applicable for ministry.

 Counting Our Blessings 

Everything

All of the books below I have recommended in Trinity Treasures, my scripture-based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles. If you are interested in learning about Trinity Treasures, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. For now, free lessons are emailed if you fill out a monthly feedback form. 

What Matters Most

PBT Applications: This book sees love as most important! Talk about how God is love, is the source of all love, and has given us life for loving God and loving the whole world! 

OR 

Emphasize God’s love as the same for all of God’s children. There are obvious connections to 1 Corinthians 13. Be sure to apply to other kinds of relationships besides parent/child.  

Love: I Love You All the Time

PBT Applications: This book celebrates loving moments in our interactions with nature and between a parent & child. As the creator of everything and everyone, God is the source of all these loving moments. Love is what we are created to do and be. Connect with scriptures showing loving acts of early church members such as those we see in Tabitha/Dorcas. 

Happy: I Love When You’re Happy

PBT Applications: This book celebrates the joy a parent feels when a child is happy. Note the peace at the end of the book. Peace also comes from God’s love. Any scripture about joy or peace will connect. I think of the children surrounding Jesus when he welcomed them! How happy and contented they must have been!

Together: I Love Spending Time Together!

PBT Applications: This book celebrates the loving moments of a day spent together. Emphasize that God wants us to enjoy being together, loving, hospitable, and even kind to those we don't know. Be specific when talking about behaviors. What does love look like? Jesus’ actions and parables are great connections. His disciples (I often call these his “friends”) loved spending time with Jesus! 

Forever

PBT Applications: This book is about empathy, compassion, presence, trust, unconditional love, and resilient love. These are the components of a parent/child relationship that closely relate to God’s love. Jesus’ actions make this clear. His stories of love in action, his passion for the least, lost, and poor, and even hissacrifice offer connections to this book.

The books below have multiple titles! 

Just Like You      OR    When I Grow Up

PBT Applications: This book celebrates change and growing up. Attribute these wonderful changes to God. I’ve connected it to scriptures that call for good works. Such good work is meaningful for young children in their home and classrooms now and later as they anticipate growing, changing, and learning what kind of person to become. Talk about how God’s dreams for us are about growing how we love in ways and in words. Help your children apply these ideas to their specific contexts.

                         

No Matter What      OR    Always: I Love You Always

PBT Applications: This book celebrates unconditional love, the kind of love God has for us. Every scripture that highlights an imperfect hero, demonstrates a mistake, redeems a hurtful act, or exposes a need for change connects here. Those scriptures and this book remind us all that no one is beyond God’s forever, unconditional love.

PBT Redux #27 No Dogs Allowed

I’m on vacation this week so I'm going with a repeat of a post about a book celebrating the joys of getting away. This story about a fun day trip was one of my favorite discoveries during my first year of PBT. That year I posted about a book every day! You can take this comical story in many serious directions or stay with the fun of it. Spiritual practices that it touches on include hospitality, inclusion, accommodation, rule following, feasting, and being present when someone (or some group) is left out.  

Picture Book: No Dogs Allowed

Author: Sonia Manzano

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Summary: This is a story of a New York City family taking a day trip to Enchanted State Park to enjoy the lake. But it is so much more! Iris first introduces us to her family, a cast of caricatures that will have you giggling. Tons of food are prepared, bulging cases of necessities are packed, and a decision is made to bring El Exigente, the dog. Neighbors come along with their many necessities and vibrant personalities. A long line of cars streams out of the city bulging with folks ready to be enchanted. After some car trouble, all arrive and see a sign at the edge of the parking lot, “NO DOGS ALLOWED.” While they “figure out what to do,” they stake their claim along the edge of the parking lot and pull out the food, games, and sunbathing paraphernalia. The humans take turns entertaining El Exigente who dutifully sits in the parking lot. When there is nothing left to eat and the sun is going down, the throng piles back into their cars and heads home, knowing that even El Exigente had an enchanting time at Enchanted State Park.    

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a delightful book, and there is so much more here than the comedy and turmoil of a day trip. You’ll find a spirit of loving acceptance, even for those who are self-centered or peculiar. At the heart of this family is a joyous hospitality and resilience with a determination that all will have fun no matter the circumstances, even if there are NO DOGS ALLOWED. I kept thinking as I read this book, if only our faith communities were this accepting, hospitable, and resilient. If only everyone could be so lovingly attentive and accommodating. Perhaps you can lead your family of faith into such suppositions with the help of this fun picture book and some scripture that ties it all together.   

Original Publisher & Date: Atheneum Books, 2004

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17); on these two commandments (Love the Lord, Your God… and the Golden Rule) depend all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:34-40); Jesus goes to the bent over woman (Luke 13:10-17); Jesus addresses Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10); a boy shares his loaves and fishes (John 6:5); Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11)

Idea(s) for Application:  Consider using this book to help children understand how Jesus respected the ancient Hebrew Laws, but he sometimes broke them and argued that what God intended for The Law was being ignored by the Pharisees. 

Generous Finding

Picture Book: Found

Author & Illustrator: Salina Yoon

Summary: This simple but profound story begins with Bear finding a very special toy bunny. 

Bear believes someone must be very unhappy and worried because the bunny is lost. Besides, it seems sad too.

Bear takes the toy home and determines to help the bunny return.

Bear creates a generous number of fliers 

and spreads them for his neighbors to see. 

Bear also checks out a nearby collection of notices of lost treasures. He's surprised by how many are lost. No bunny is listed among them 

so he keeps searching high... 

and low for possible owners.

Meanwhile, Bear grows quite attached to the bunny who no one is claiming. 

Bear and the bunny have many days of fun together. 

 On one of their fun outings, Moose approaches 

 and recognizes Floppy. 

 Bear has mixed feelings but knows Floppy is not his. 

Floppy is now home in Moose's arms. Bear says goodbye to Floppy.  

Then Moose has a very wise change of heart. 

Moose realizes many days have passed and some things have changed for Moose, Floppy, and Bear. 

Moose asks Bear to promise to take care of Floppy. Bear's response?  

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect PBT book for very young children, but if you can find a version that is not a board book, read it to older audiences for the underlying messages are many and rich with meaning. You could talk about tenderness with those who are lost, gentleness, empathy, treasures, ownership, legacy, and generosity which is in every page of this book. There is even a God symbol here as most illustrations include a lone witness in the form of a small yellow bird who is watching Bear be so generous with his time and efforts. Also, point out that Bear is quite the problem solver, so proactive and tireless, and he never names the bunny but refers to it as Floppy as soon as the owner does! Salina Yoon says this book was inspired by lost and found posters in her neighborhood. Be sure to carefully look at the notice board in the illustrations. I especially like Yoon's Penguin series (also in board book form). [Here's] a Christmas book in that series that I've featured in a PBT post about December holiday books. If you want a great picture book about being lost, I highly recommend Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson. Find it at PBT [here]. 

Original Publisher & Date: Bloomsbury, 2015

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio CD

Scripture Connections: Any scripture about generosity, The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40); Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be (Matthew 6:21); the lost parables (Luke 15:1-32)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children and talk about the spiritual practice of generosity as demonstrated by Bear and Moose or talk about what it means to be lost, found, or at home.

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. 

Faith Based Resilience

Picture Book: The Hugging Tree:                                                                     A Story about Resilience

Author: Jill Neimark

Illustrator: Nicole Wong

Summary: This book is a poetic story about The Lone Cypress, a world-famous tree and tourist attraction in California. 

But it is much more than that. The author offers a rich consideration of this tree being a symbol of resilience. 

She begins with an entire page that does my work for me. 

She explains the concept of resilience and connects this book to The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. You’ll find my post about that classic [here]. 

Because the tree is personified in the story, there is struggle and relationship. 

As you would expect, the tree grows, suffers through bad weather, 

clings to the its rock, offers beauty, creates a home for others, and endures despite its circumstances.

You’ll also find in the back a very thorough and helpful Note to Parents and Caregivers written by Dr. Elizabeth McCallum. Note that there is another picture book by this name.

Hanna’s Comments: As a school psychologist, I have been fascinated by the research on resilience. In my work, I have not only connected the research to children but to adults and even congregations. Don’t limit your use of this book to children or teachers. Having faith based programming about what makes a child, adult, or congregation more resilient can have long-lasting results and encourage the good outcomes that resilience offers. There is much overlap with the resilience research and faithful ideas. For instance, in this book you see a community quickly surrounding and helping the tree. There’s the rock, the moon, birds, and a boy. 

These characters make strong connections with the tree. 

Having empathy and making meaningful connections are central to resilience just as they are central to a well-functioning family of faith. 

Be sure to show your audience an actual photo of The Lone Cypress which can be found easily on-line [here]. If you need more reasons to read this book to others, note that the publisher is The American Psychological Association. Here’s a warning: I found reading this book awkward. The poetry is tricky. You may choose to read it as a story rather than trying to figure out the meter and rhyme scheme. Either way, practice before you have an audience. The book is worth the effort!

Original Publisher & Date: Magination Press, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); suffering produces endurance… (Romans 5:3-5); in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37); Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10); God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love… (2 Timothy 1:7); count it all joy (James 1:2-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson about resilience to a faith based, adult small group that is concerned about their future together.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 348

Picture Book: Albert

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Illustrator: Jim LaMarche

Summary: Albert lives in a city apartment building. Each morning, he reaches out through the grill work of his window to feel the weather. Then he decides whether to venture out. More likely, he finds reasons to stay home. One morning, as Albert’s arm is beyond the grill, a cardinal places a twig in his hand. More twigs are added by the bird’s partner, and soon one of the birds is snuggled into a nest on Albert’s hand! There she lays 4 small eggs. Albert doesn’t want to bring in his hand. The result would be a tilt to the nest, and it would fall, eggs and all. Albert talks to the birds, but they are busy and ignore him. Days go by! Albert manages to sleep while standing, and eventually the birds begin feeding him berries. From his “perch” at the window, Albert discovers the city is not so threatening. Stories emerge as people pass by. He especially enjoys the day when he sees the cracks in the eggs and the baby birds emerge. He affirms their work in being born and welcomes them. Albert watches as the adult birds teach their fledglings new skills including flight. Ironically, one baby is reluctant, and must be encouraged by Albert to leave the nest. Once the nest is empty of eggs, Albert brings in his arm though the nest falls. Then Albert decides it is a perfect day to go for a walk.

Hanna’s Comments: While reading this book, I was struck by Albert’s gentle spirit. This would be a story to help the children in your faith community decipher the words “meek” and “humble.” If you were to read this story to a group of adults, you could guide them in a conversation about how our trials often teach us exactly what we need to learn. Any age group could talk about the contrast between being a watcher of the world’s stories and a participant who goes out to make the story their own, ready to face fear and failure. You’ll also find most of the fruits of the Spirit in this book. 

Update: While recently studying Celtic Spirituality, a passion of mine for decades, I learned of a Celtic myth similar to this book’s story. Perhaps the author knows it. Saint Kevin of Glendalough, Ireland is said to have supported a blackbird’s nest with his hand when a nest was begun while he extended his arms as on a cross.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Harcourt, 2011 

Age & 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 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: acceptance, adaptation/assimilation, affection, animals, anxiety/worry, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, babies/children, bonds/connections, caring/tending, care of creation, challenges, chosen, commitment, dependence/interdependence, difficulties, eggs/seeds, encouragement, fear, freedom, fruit of the Spirit, gentleness/meekness, God’s nature, goodness, grace, heroes, hiding/isolation, home, hospitality, humility, life, loneliness, nurturing, openness, patience, perseverance, sacrifice, steadfastness, transformation, treasure, waiting, witness, wonder   

Scripture Connections: Even the sparrow finds a home… (Psalm 84:3); blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth (Matthew 5:5); …look at the birds in the air, they neither sow nor reap… (Matthew 6:25-34); rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12); the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); put on then…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… (Colossians 3:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or adults and consider having participants hold out their arms, feel the pain in their arms, imagine holding an animal, and talk about God’s high value for all creatures and endurance. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 333

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: Toot and Puddle: You are My Sunshine 

Author & Illustrator: Holly Hobbie

Summary: It’s beautiful day, but Toot is moping. When Puddle asks about his sadness, Toot is unable to explain. When Tulip points out that the sky is blue, Puddle explains, “That doesn’t matter when you are blue too.” Toot’s moping continues, and he begins complaining to Puddle about his physical features. Puddle makes Toot’s favorite dessert and suggests an adventure, but these don’t help. Puddle invites friends over. They sing You Are My Sunshine and play a game, but Toot is still sad. On Sunday morning a severe storm comes; all are afraid but Toot. Afterwards, the air feels fresh and new, and Toot is himself again. Toot and Puddle decide that sometimes you need, “a big whopping thunderstorm to clear the air.”

Hanna’s Comments: Being able to identify and understand feelings are important social-emotional skills. Still, the source of some feelings remain a mystery. It’s also important for children to learn to accept how others are feeling and not require explanations. Everyone has a right to their own feelings and privacy. However, there is nothing wrong with offering opportunities for emotional shifts as long as no one is forced. Having a conversation about such matters would be beneficial in a classroom, religious community, or family. You can make this a theological conversation by asserting that God accepts our feelings. In fact, God made us creatures who have an assortment of feelings. God is willing to listen no matter how we are feeling. Even when we can’t put our feelings into words, just being in God’s presence in prayer will help. 

This book is a sequel to Toot and Puddle which is a wonderful book about how friendship knows no boundaries. I chose this book because I liked the way the plot carefully introduces the subject of sadness or depression to children. Tomorrow I’ll offer a second book in this PBT Dynamic Duo that is the lyrics to the song You are My Sunshine, an element of this book’s plot. Consider pairing them and having a conversation with children about feelings, particularly sadness.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Little, Brown, & Co., 1999

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Pre 2K 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: acceptance, authenticity, brokenness, caring/tending, change, choir/music/singing/songs, companionship, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, emotions/feelings, encouragement, friends/friendship, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, healing/healthcare, mystery, patience, prayer, presence, rain, renewal/restoration, respect, storms, tolerance, transformation, waiting, weather  

Scripture Connections: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed spirit. (Psalm 34:18); the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness… (Galatians 5:22); Is anyone among you hurting? Let them pray. Is anyone among you cheerful? Let them sing praise. (James 5:13)

Idea(s) for Application: This book and tomorrow’s book could be components of a lesson on feelings, particularly accepting the feelings of others and how we can always bring our feelings, even when we don’t understand them, to God.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 330

Picture Book: It Takes a Village

Author & Illustrator: Jane Cowen-Fletcher

Summary: It is market day in Yemi’s African village. Yemi’s mother, who will be busy selling mangos, has asked Yemi to look after Kokou, her little brother. Feeling very grown up, Yemi proclaims that she will look after Kokou “all by herself.” Her mother knows better as do the women of the market when this situation is explained to them. Kokou wanders off the first chance he gets. As she frantically searches for him, Yemi imagines the specific difficulties Kokou is having, but each time the reader sees that he is actually being tended to by various villagers at the market and having a great time. Finally Yemi yells out that Kokou is lost. Nearby a stranger asks, “Is this your Kokou?” Yemi thanks him, and he explains that others took care of Kokou while pointing to where Kokou came from. Yemi and Kokou retrace his steps and thank all the new friends in their village who helped Yemi take care of Kokou. Hurrying back to their mother, Yemi is anxious, for they have been gone a long time, but their mother hasn’t worried. She explains, “You weren’t alone today, Yemi. We don’t raise our children by ourselves. It takes a village to raise a child.”

Hanna’s Comments: The words of Yemi’s mother are a well-known African proverb that has seemed very true to me since long before I had my children. I think I agree with it so whole-heartedly because I had the privilege of growing up in a large extended family and a small church that was like family. Other important individuals in children’s lives make up their village: teachers, coaches, school counselors, neighbors, etc. Encourage this kind of investment in all the children in your faith community so that parents of young children can feel a little less daunted by the crucial and taxing task of raising children. Once grown, the children will look back on the many nurturing relationships they were blessed to have and just might be the adults your community needs to lead the next generation.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1994

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, affection, Africa, anxiety/worry, babies/children, belonging, body/body of Christ, caring/tending, community, dependence/interdependence, found, goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, growing up/growth, helping, lost, love, mentors/teachers, mothers, neighbors, nurturing, parents/parental love, protecting/protection, relationships, safety, wisdom 

Scripture Connections: Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2); let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book at a parenting class in your religious community or when training a team of those who will care for children while parents are away.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 329

Picture Book: Hands Say Love 

Author: George Shannon

Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo

Summary: A family with three young children is the context for representing the variety of ways “hands say love”. The pairs of loving hands that carry this family through a day engage in everyday gestures that mean the world to young children and parents. Loving hands feed, make, hold, hug, sooth, and give. Everyday situations are here such as tying a shoe, along with more unusual contexts as when holding a bike steady for a child to learn to ride and playing music at a party.

Hanna’s Comments: Although simple conceptually, this picture book offers a wealth of material for helping children understand the love that often undergirds a family’s actions and ways of tending. Conversation could easily move on to school and friendship situations. Create deeper, more meaningful learning by helping your children understand the Godly source of all this love and the delight that occurs when such love is shared. In the Christian church, we sometimes use the phrase “the hands and feet of Christ” when we are referring to loving acts. Even young children can begin thinking in these terms, realizing that the loving goodness we share is God-ordained and modeled by Jesus. 

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Little, Brown, & Co., 2014 

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, action, affection, babies/children, blessings, body/body of Christ, caring/tending, celebration/party, commitment, communication, dependence/interdependence, encouragement, fathers, God’s nature, God’s presence, God’s will, helping, holiness, image of God, labor/work, love, mothers, parents/parental love, servant/service/serving 

Scripture Connections: A new commandment I give you, that you love one another (John 13:34-35); for the body (of Christ) does not consist of one member but of many (1 Corinthians 12:14); love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4); let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14); above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this picture book to a group of young children when teaching them about God’s encouragement of our loving interactions.