PBT Redux #24 - Is This Panama?

Picture Book: Is This Panama? A Migration Story

Author: Jan Thornhill

Illustrator: Soyeon Kim

Summary: Sammy, a young warbler, has heard wonderful descriptions of Panama from other warblers. He is excited about his first migration from near the Arctic Circle all the way to Panama, but then he discovers the other warblers have migrated without him. Being so young, Sammy doesn’t know the route, but he is determined so he sets off with a willingness to ask for directions from other creatures along the way. Although Sammy enjoys these interactions, the other creatures steer him wrongly. After taking a much longer route and feeling discouraged, Sammy finally makes it to Panama.

Hanna’s Comments: I love it when authors put maps in their books! This book has a great map in the back that shows you Sammy’s route, the route warblers regularly take, and the location of the creatures he meets along the way. You may want to refer to the map as you read. You’ll also find a list of facts about each creature and a section on how animals migrate. Adults joke about women being more willing to ask for directions than men, but truthfully asking for help is not a bad thing, especially if you do so of someone who is invested in you. If you view this book as a metaphor for personal journeys, spiritual or otherwise, this book offers opportunities to talk about being steadfast, interdependent, and vulnerable, while also gleaning wisdom from mentors in your faith community. Consider connecting this book to stories in the Bible with characters who are lost or misguided; thankfully, there are plenty of those very human characters. 

Publisher & Date of Publication:  Owl Kids Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10); look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4); do not neglect to do good and to share what you have (Hebrews 13:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Our church sends a mission team to Panama each summer. This book was recently used in a children’s program about the mission team’s expected journey and purposes. Whenever a team from your faith community goes to another part of the world, consider using picture books about the location to teach your children about what your faith community is doing elsewhere and why.

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 Redux Series #8 - Ruth and the Green Book

To continue my series in which I post again some of the best PBT books published in this century, I chose a story from American history that I believe the whole world should know. This picture book will offer another opportunity to explore how spiritual values can be tied to important historical phenomena. This book also reminds Americans how things used to be here. I believe remembering our history (especially our mistakes) is especially important politically and spiritually.

My impetus for posting this particular book today is an announcement I heard on Central Alabama's public radio WBHM. A play has opened in Birmingham that explores the relationship between black people and Jewish people during segregation. Highlighted in this drama is The Green Book, the title of the play and a publication for African Americans who were traveling through the segregated south. The WBHM article explains that The Green Book was inspired by a similar book published for Jews. Here's the story I heard and details about the play if you'd like to learn more. Below is my previous PBT post describing a fabulous picture book which tells the importance of The Green Book through the eyes of a young girl. 

Picture Book: Ruth and the Green Book

Author: Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Summary: Ruth is excited because she and her parents are driving from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandmother. It’s the 1950s so before the trip, Ruth’s mother spends days cooking meals knowing there will be few restaurants willing to serve Negros. After being rejected from various gas stations, hotels, and restaurants, Ruth’s family spends the night it their car. Eventually they learn to look for Esso stations where they will be welcomed. At one Esso, they purchase The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide to places that would welcome black travelers. Ruth learns to use the book and is so happy to experience the hospitality of fellow African Americans.

Hanna’s Comments: I am a passionate advocate of the spiritual practice of hospitality so I especially loved the part of this story where Ruth’s family is welcomed into a “tourist home.” These were homes listed in The Green Book where travelers were warmly welcomed, in this case for no charge and a fun night’s sleep. In the back of the book, find The History of The Negro Motorist Green Book. 2014 was the 50^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Bill which outlawed Jim Crow Laws and therefore also the anniversary of the last edition of The Green Book. Thank goodness, this book is now a relic of the last century and no longer necessary for black individuals to comfortably travel for long distances. It is my prayer that families in our country will never have to travel in fear, surrounded by hatred.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as the native among you (Leviticus 19:34); the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:30-37); seek to show hospitality (Romans 12:13); do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2); show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this picture book in a lesson or sermon on how scripture, like The Green Book, can be a comfort, a safety net, and a guide. Also, consider that the author of The Green Book might have been inspired by God’s desires for humans to be safe and hospitable in all situations.

Loyalties that Go Beyond Borders

Picture Book: Grandfather’s Journey

Author & Illustrator: Allen Say

Summary: Winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal, this beautiful story is about an immigrant who comes to the United States as a young man from Japan. 

Fascinated with the American geography, 

American industry, 

America's beauty, 

and people of The United States, 

Grandfather would walk for days just to experience his new country. 

Once settled in California, he returned to Japan to bring home a bride. 

They had a daughter. 

When she was nearly grown, Grandfather missed his homeland so much that his family returned to Japan to live. Then he missed America. 

In Japan, his daughter married and gave birth to the author who loved hearing of Grandfather’s America. 

Grandfather longed to visit America again, but WWII prevented his return.

When the author was nearly grown, he too moved to America.

Quickly he began to understand why Grandfather had loved America so deeply despite missing his homeland of Japan.

Hanna’s Comments: This story is deeply personal, but the grandfather’s emotions are shared by millions of people across the globe whose patriotism includes places beyond their country of origin. I am struck by the people all over the world who participated in The Women’s March. These beyond border connections make our world community more like family. How does this relate to scripture? Consider the loyalty the Jews always have for Jerusalem despite their distance from it. The foreign crowds at Pentecost are proof. How about the Irish? They have a contagious enthusiasm for life and unyielding love for St. Patrick, a man of God all Christians should know well. All over the world seekers find themselves on pilgrimages to spiritual places such as Iona (Scotland), the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Lordes (France), or The Vatican. These are Christian pilgrimages, but many sacred sites that are not "Christian" still summon a reverence from visitors no matter their spiritual heritage. When sacred sites are destroyed. We all lose. When we have strong relationships with people across oceans, our world is smaller. When we visit another country and see God’s creative diversity, we can be grateful. Our belief in God’s abundance leaves no room for a scarcity model of love, beauty, or loyalty.

Original Publisher & Date: Houghton Mifflin, 1993

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet, audio

Scripture Connections: Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people…” (Ruth 1:16); (Jesus) came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10); every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a small group of adults in a lesson about patriotic zeal and connections across borders. Emphasize that our loyalties to multiple countries and their citizens doesn’t divide our allegiance. Instead, the love God instills in us for diverse places and persons demonstrates God’s abundant gifts and our gratitude.

Water, Come Closer!

Picture Book: The Water Princess

Author: Susan Verde

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Summary: This story is based on the childhood experiences of Georgie Badiel, fashion model born in Burkina Faso.

A young African girl, Gie Gie, who is called Princess by her parents, longs for the ability to summon water. 

Despite her dancing, contorting, and pleas for the water to come closer, no water comes. 

Instead, every morning she reluctantly gets out of bed 

and walks with her mother a very long way to get water. 

Half way there, they stop for some nuts under a gorgeous tree. Upon arrival, she plays with her friends, while her mother stands in line. When they fill their containers, they can’t drink the water because it is dirty.

Finally, heavy pots are placed on their heads for the long and careful trek back. Once home, the water is boiled. Then Gie Gie gulps a refreshing and energizing drink of water. 

When her beloved father returns from the fields, their evening meal has been cooked thanks to the water they gathered. 

Later, clothes and body are washed so that Gie Gie can delight in her cleanliness. 

Dreading the next early morning rise to walk for water, Gie Gie asks her mother why getting water is so hard. 

Her mother replies, “Someday you will find a way, my Princess. Someday.”

Hanna’s Comments: Perhaps through her success and in collaboration with a charity called Ryan’s Well, Georgie Badiel has fulfilled her mother’s prophesy. Badiel is finding a way to bring water to the drought-ridden villages of her home country. 

More details and photos are found in the back along with links to Ryan’s Well and the Georgie Badiel Foundation who are working together to encourage better access to clean water in Burkina Faso and beyond. 

This book reminds me of another PBT offering that you might like as well. Find my post about Come On Rain! by Karen Hesse [here].

Original Publisher & Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: They shall not hunger or thirst…, for one who has pity on them will lead them by springs of water (Isaiah 49:10); Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6); Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of water will not lose a reward (Matthew 10:42); Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are learning about issues of access to clean water, activists who improve access to water, “thirsting for righteousness” through activism, or Biblical concepts of prophesy and vocation. 

Music From the Trash Heap

Picture Book: Ada’s Violin:                                                             The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Author: Susan Hood

Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport

Summary: Ada lives in a town built on a trash heap. 

When trucks bring in garbage, the gancheros (recyclers) quickly tear through looking for treasure to sell or use. 

Ada is especially drawn to the sounds of violins coming from the radio that her family listens to regularly. When her grandmother learns of free music lessons, she takes her 2 granddaughters. 

They meet their new music teacher, Favio Chavez, but there are only 3 instruments and they are too valuable for the children to take back home for practice. 

Inspired by the gancheros and a band he heard that made their own instruments, Senor Chavez gathers materials from the dump to make his students instruments. 

He and others experiment with different materials until all students have instruments. 

Ada quickly chooses a violin made from a paint can, baking tray, fork, and wooden pieces. The new orchestra practices daily for 3 hours outside in the heat. 

Many children quit, but not Ada and her sister. Soon the children make glorious music together; The Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is born! 

As her skills progress, Ada imagines a different life of making music and traveling to faraway places. 

With budding confidence, Ada performs solos. Soon she is chosen as First Violinist at age 12. Likewise, The Recycled Orchestra's public performances increase and they are soon traveling all over Paraguay and beyond. 

Delighted by the world they are experiencing, Ada and her friends perform for larger and larger crowds. They even tour internationally with a “world-famous rock band.” 

Although this is overwhelming, the cheering of the crowd gives Ada the courage she needs to step on the huge stage and play the music she was born to play, thanks to her town’s trash heap. 

Hanna’s Comments: This is such an inspirational story. The fact that it's true makes it even more powerful! You won’t have any difficulty encouraging your audience to find connections between this story, the scriptures listed below (or others you provide), and their own faith journeys. Emphasize concepts like vocation, courage, transformation, and worship. Talk about Ada's personal experiences as well as the success of the orchestra as a whole. The idea of coming together for good is biblical too. Have your audience reflect on how the mixed media illustrations continue the themes of the story. Be sure to read the Author’s Note where you’ll learn more, including how the money the orchestra makes benefits the children’s families and their community. You can check out photos and website/videos links too. This book is available in Spanish.

Original Publisher & Date: Simon Schuster, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous... for the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9); make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100:1); with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26); one who is in Christ is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); make melodies to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are learning about how God can use anything to bring about our transformation and the transformation of the world.