It Takes a Village for Little Bears Too

I've been saving this favorite book for a while. It's sooo good! 

Picture Book: Baby Bear

Author & Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: Baby bear is lost, but this little one is never alone. As he encounters members of his community, he respectfully asks for help. Each offers wise suggestions and encouragement. 

Mountain Lion suggests retracing his steps. 

Busy Frog encourages him by telling him to "Trust yourself. You will find your way home." 

Squirrels say that hugging a tree and thinking of home works for them. 

Baby Bear thinks it's silly but does just that. 

He's interrupted by a moose who suggests Baby Bear sit very still and listen to his heart. 

Baby bear does, 

but the tears come. 

A question comes from Ram, "Why are you crying?" Baby Bear admits he is lost so Ram suggests that he climb higher for a better view and sing a song for comfort. 

At the top, Owl hears his song. When Baby Bear says he is alone, Owl says, "I am here with you. You only need to look up and keep going. You will find your way home." 

Both exchange words of love and Baby Bear keeps going.

Next Baby Bear speaks to a salmon who is willing to lead him a little further if Baby Bear doesn't eat him. Baby Bear promises. 

Salmon shows him just where to get out of the river, 

and Baby Bear sees that he is 

home.

Hanna’s Comments: I know of no more beautiful book about discernment than this one. There is so much rich content here. This is a great book for teens and adults for that reason, but don't assume that children are too young to explore such an important spiritual concept. They need to be making wise decisions about their personal paths and choices. Encourage all of these audiences to talk about how their community and The Body of Christ help them make decisions or find their path. Kadir Nelson's work astounds me. I plan to feature another of his books on MLK Day. Check out other PBT posts featuring his books [here] and [here]. I recently used this book in my new preschool curriculum that’s linked to The Revised Common Lectionary. I chose it for a lesson about The Body of Christ. This book could also be used with adults to explore the journey of finding a faith home or your way back to your faith after disruption. For a really interesting lesson, have your children compare and contrast this story with the story of Jesus being left behind in Jerusalem when he was 12.

Original Publisher & Date: Balzar & Bray, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about discernment; Jesus left behind (Luke 2:41-49); The lost parables (Luke 15); we are The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27); the church is The Body of Christ (Revised Common Lectionary, Epistle Yr. A, Proper 29: Ephesians 1:22)
Idea(s) for Application: Home is a commonly explored spiritual concept. This book is all about finding home so it lends itself to all sorts of lessons about discernment, being lost, and leaning on our village for help.

PBT Redux #15 Shooting at the Stars

Picture Book: Shooting at the Stars:                                                                   The Christmas Truce of 1914

Author & Illustrator: John Hendrix

Summary: A letter to his mother from Charlie, a fictional British WWI soldier, serves as the framework for this tale about one of many WWI Christmas Eve truces in 1914. 

In this case, the temporary cease fire begins with Christmas carols heard from the German trenches. 

Then small Christmas trees appear. Next a can of jam is thrown from the British trench. A British and a German officer meet in the middle of the battleground, shake hands, and signal their soldiers to come forward. 

Soldiers from both sides introduce themselves in “no man’s land.” Together they bury their dead. 

Then trading tokens to substitute for Christmas gifts begins. Photographs are taken. 

One is in the back of the book. 

After several hours, a furious British major arrives and orders them to separate and begin shooting. 

Charlie suspects they will aim high, shooting at the stars, at least for a while. 

Hanna's Comments: This is such an important story! It will intrigue your audience and inspire loads of comments. Insist that they connect this story to the Advent of today or your lesson won't be transformative. A glossary, bibliography, and index are in the back too. They explain that such truces didn't happen the other years of WWI. Thematically, this story and its supplemental material emphasize the contrast between the suffering soldiers stuck in the trenches who long for peace 

and the outside political and military forces that keep them there for 4 long years. It is a hard story to hear but an important one. Non-Christians should be comfortable using this book since Christian doctrine is not mentioned. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harry N. Abrams, 2014

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3^rd and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them (Proverbs 16:7); blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9); if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18); let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a great book to read to an audience of elementary age and up during the week before Christmas. Emphasize the theme of peace and how it requires risk and trust. Consider today's battles, military and otherwise, to make this book particularly meaningful. Peace isn't easy still, but it's worth meaningful conversation, because hope for peace is what Advent is all about. 

Grab & Go #12 - Stone Soup

Here’s another great book if you need a lesson for adults or children in your faith community and don’t have much time to prepare. It practically teaches itself! It’s an old tale full of rich meaning that particularly contrasts with modern paradigms of fear and scarcity. The scripture connections are many.

Picture Book: Stone Soup 

Author & Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Summary: This is an oft-told legend of scarcity, fear, & selfishness in which 3 strangers enter an unwelcoming village & begin to make stone soup, a dish for which sharing is required. Their mysterious soup prep happens in the center of town so the hungry villagers become curious. It takes a child's courage to make contact and urge her elders to come see, smell, contribute, and eventually taste. Little by little, the villagers give out of their scarcity and experience the marvels of generosity and community.
Hanna’s Comments: Various versions of this old tale have been published; this one has a beautiful Chinese setting. Tom Chapin has recorded a wonderful song with the same title and story. The video version of this book was shared during worship at my church when we were launching a year of focusing our local mission activities on food deserts in our city. This is truly a beautiful book with an incredible message that all will understand! 

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2003
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Preschool and upFormats other than book: tablet, video on-line and in several video collections

Scripture Connections: ...and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6); Boy with Loaves & Fishes (Matthew 14:13, Mark 6:31, Luke 9:10, John 6:5); any scripture about generosity, hospitality, or abundance

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to your faith family and explore the importance of hospitality, generosity, abundance rather than scarcity, or unity in community.

Companions During Change

Picture Book: It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through                                      Fear and Change

Author: Lysa TerKeurst

Illustrator: Natalie Moore

Summary: Little Seed  

 and Little Fox

face great changes in this story. During a storm, Little Fox is afraid

and runs into the shed where Little Seed is kept in a packet on a shelf. Little Fox knocks the shelf, the packet falls to the ground, and Little Seed rolls out, confronting Little Fox immediately. 

Once Little Fox explains his fear, he asks if he can live in the shed with Little Seed. 

They become companions and are thankful for the Farmer who is good, kind, and watching over them. God is the Farmer in this story who keeps both characters safe but encourages their growth. 

Their trust in the Farmer is tested when he addresses Little Seed, saying “I have a wonderful plan for you...today is the day!” As Little Seed is planted, the Farmer says, “You can trust me.”

Little Fox looks for Little Seed 

until he hears Little Seed from the soil. 

Night and day, Little Fox stays beside Little Seed; both are scared and lonely even though the Farmer’s loving attention is evident. 

They learn to believe, “It will be okay.” Eventually, Little Seed pushes through the soil, becoming something new and amazing. 

 Little Fox greets Little Seed,  

and as seasons come and go, Little Fox grows too.

Both learn to trust the Farmer, knowing that God’s attention and loving kindness mean it will be okay.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is unusual among the 600 or so PBT books here on the website. It is a secular story with an obvious God character so it bridges that gap between secular and sacred texts. What I especially like is the subject. Trusting in God’s presence and wisdom in times of uncertainty or fear is a crucial message for children to hear at home and in their faith communities. This story will encourage talk about how change can be scary. Teach strategies that will remind your audience that God is present in all situations. God’s comfort can be experienced and hope for good results is possible. I really like the page near the front of this book that lists 10 Scriptures to Memorize with Your Kids. Lysa TerKeurst is the bestselling author of several books for adults, especially Christian women. You might have heard of The Best Yes, Made to Crave, and Unglued. You’ll find her website [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Tommy Nelson, 2014

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Any one of the ten scriptures listed near the front of this book.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith family in a lesson on trusting God or feeling God’s comfort during uncertainty. Emphasize the importance of having supportive companions.

Gossip, Fear, or Trust

Picture Book: Help! A Story of Friendship

Author & Illustrator: Holly Keller

Summary: This is a simple story that demonstrates the harm gossip and fear can do to relationships, even to a close friendship. Mouse confesses to Hedgehog that “Fox told Skunk and Skunk told me that snakes are very dangerous to mice.” 

Hedgehog quickly replies, “You know Snake would never hurt you.” When Mouse, due to his fear and distraction, falls into a deep hole, Hedgehog tries to recruit help from friends who come along. 

For various reasons, none can help but Snake. Hedgehog explains to snake that Mouse is very afraid of him so Snake cannot enter the hole. 

Snake creatively devises a solution that involves him holding a stick with his tail and sticking it down the hole for Mouse to grab. Then Snake crawls up a nearby tree to pull Mouse up the hole. 

Once Mouse realizes who has rescued him, Snake quickly reassures, “I would never hurt you.” Mouse apologizes and eventually delivers a bouquet of flowers to snake to say thanks.

The art technique for these illustrations is briefly explained in Holly Keller’s bio on the book jacket. If you like doing crafts with your children’s lessons, you might want to incorporate some rubbings or textured printings.

Hanna’s Comments: I recently visited a United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. This book was read for the children’s moment. It was so fun for me to experience a picture book during a worship service. I don’t know if the reader knows of this blog, but I do know he did a marvelous job reading the book and tying it to the scripture to be read that day in worship. I believe that children's sermons should always be high quality for many adults will glean wisdom, recall, and apply as much from a good children's sermon as an adult sermon.

Original Publisher & Date: Greenwillow Books, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Jesus heals the paralytic man who was let down through the roof (Luke 5:17-39); …there are some who are confusing you and perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7); Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths… (Ephesians 4:29)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson or sermon about gossip, fear-based manipulation, sewing division, trust in friendship, or to make connections (in this case opposite connections) with the scripture story in Luke 5 (listed above).