PBT Redux #12 Flood

The effects of Hurricane Harvey have people in Texas and Louisiana once again ravaged and afraid, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Today I’ve chosen a book that visually represents the terror and heartbreak of flooding. Why would such a book be read in ministry? It is in our families of faith that we consider the hardest questions and heartbreaks and where we can be motivated to help those who are suffering. Picture books are tools to gently bring such hard matters to the surface so that relevant and meaningful faith conversations can happen. The book below is both beautiful and terrible, but it is not graphic. Consider reading it to elementary children, teens, or adults to explore the effects of flooding or other tragedies and bring about further healing or informed service.

Picture Book: Flood

Illustrator: Alvaro F. Villa

Summary: A family, who lives near a small river, receives flood warnings. With the help of neighbors, they place sandbags around their house, gather some things, escape to a hotel, and hope for the best. But the waters rush into their home anyway. All pitch in to clean and rebuild, and eventually their home is restored.

Hanna’s Comments: I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a wordless book for use with a group, but this book is stunning and directly relates to scriptures shared by the 3 Abrahamic faiths. Because it is a wordless book, you may want to have several copies of the book. Don't be afraid to have your audience just look at the book in silence for a moment as you turn each page. Also, it is imperative that you do a good job describing the illustrations as you direct their eyes to particular aspects of the story. Encourage discussion that relates directly to their experiences or the experiences of those they love. You could also explore broader subjects such as natural disasters or family tragedies and connect those comments to your beliefs and faith values.

Original Publisher & Date: Picture Window Books, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 7 & 8); the flood sweeps over me (Psalm 69:1-3)
Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson about the flood in Genesis. If your area suffers from a flood, read this to a serve team and consider how your ministry might respond.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 340

Picture Book: Eight Days: A Story of Haiti

Author: Edwidge Danticat

Illustrator: Alix Delinois

Summary: On the first page of this extraordinary book, Junior is being interviewed on camera. He has just been pulled out of the rubble that was his home prior to the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Junior explains that while he was trapped and afraid, he missed his family but he was brave too. In his mind, he played. Each double page spread that follows chronologically takes the reader through the memories of play that Junior clings to from the first day to the eighth day when he is rescued. These imaginings help Junior survive. In many of his pretend memories, Junior plays beside his friend Oscar, who is with him in the rubble. On the fifth day, during a memory of playing soccer with Oscar, “Oscar felt very tired and went to sleep. He never woke up. That was the day I cried.” Two more days of beautiful memories follow, memories of a pre-earthquake Haiti that no longer exists.

Hanna’s Comments: Before reading this book, explain to your audience that the days of activities that Junior engages in are pretend memories that help him cope as he waits in the rubble to be rescued. Also, tenderly warn them of the death of Alex, likely beside Junior as they wait. Be sure to point out to your audience that Junior is not an actual person, but he symbolically represents not only the many who were trapped and rescued because of the earthquake, but the entire nation of Haiti. A Note from the Author in the back gives context to the earthquake. Why do I offer such a heartbreaking story for you to read to children or youth? Because I believe such stories build compassion, empathy, and resilience. Talk about how Junior’s good memories of the Haiti he knew before the quake, may have kept him from giving up and likely kept him strong as he waited.

I would also highly recommend these books about Haiti: Hope for Haiti by Jesse Joshua Watson, also about children after the 2010 earthquake, and Selavi: A Haitian Story of Hope by Youme, a book written before the earthquake about orphaned children who together create a children’s radio station, Radyo Timoun, which is still in operation today. There are also several non-fiction books about Haiti and the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Orchard Books, 2010

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

# of Pages: 32 

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: adaptation/assimilation, anxiety/worry, armor, aspirations/dreams, bravery/courage, brokenness, challenges, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, danger, death/loss/grief, difficulties, disaster, emotions/feelings, fear, found, friends/friendship, hope, loneliness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, miracles, North America, patience, perseverance, play, prisons/prisoners, resurrection, strength/strength in God, survival, tragedy, victims, waiting    

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you (Joshua 1:9); oh Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7); they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength… (Isaiah 40:31); fear not for I am with you… I will strengthen you… (Isaiah 41:10); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of elementary or middle school children who are learning about how to faithfully respond to fear in challenging circumstances. Or Read this to a group of people going on a mission trip to Haiti.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 322

Picture Book: Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: This story begins with a group of turtles living near a pond. King Yertle the Turtle becomes quite unsatisfied as he sits on his stone perch. If he could sit higher, he would better see all that he ruled. So he commands that 9 of his turtles create a tower throne for him to sit on. After climbing atop them and seeing further, Yertle believes that he is king of all that he can see. When Mack, the turtle on the bottom, complains, Yertle shushes him and commands a tower of 100 turtles. Atop all those turtles, Yertle again claims to be the king of all he sees. He is King of the Air and King of the Trees among other things far and wide. Mack complains again, explaining that he and his fellow turtles are hurting and hungry. He warns that their shells might crack and asserts that turtles should have rights. Yertle shushes Mack again and then sees the moon rise. A thing that is higher than Yertle won’t do so he demands a tower of thousands of turtles. Mack gets angry and lets out a burp which knocks Yertle off his perch and into the mud. And there he stays, King only of the Mud. Seuss wraps up this fable in this way: “…the turtles are free. As turtles, and maybe all creatures, should be.”

Hanna’s Comments: The 3 stories in this collection are about greed, vanity, and pride, which are some of the 7 Deadly Sins listed in Proverbs 6:16-19. This story could be about greed or pride. Whenever you talk with children about vices, it is important to offer them details about how they should think and live instead. Don’t assume they know. For this book, you should spend some time on the concept of humility which is often confusing and crops up often in our Holy Scriptures. My concept of humility is not about being powerless, passive, or put upon. Instead it is about knowing my place where God is concerned. I’m not in charge, thankfully. And I’m no better than anyone else. Children will understand this. Then talk about what being humble looks like. Be specific. Describe circumstances that your children will likely experience and find examples in your faith community, perhaps those who are servant leaders. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1950

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

# of Pages: 96

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, audio, There is a video on youtube.com. Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, civil rights, consequences/punishment, cruelty, dependence/interdependence, freedom, greed/selfishness, humility, injustice, power, pride, victims

Scripture Connections: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2); everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 16:5); those who exalt themselves will be humbled… (Luke 14:11); God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson for children on pride or greed. Also, for adult or youth programming, consider checking out The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss by James W. Kemp.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 315

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

Author: Katherine Applegate

Illustrator: G. Brian Karas

Summary: The first 7 pages of this picture book are about Ivan’s idyllic life with his gorilla family in Central Africa. Then a poacher takes Ivan and another baby gorilla and transports them inside a small crate to Tacoma, Washington where an owner of a shopping mall had placed an order for them “like a couple of pizzas.” They were named Burma and Ivan after a Name the Baby Gorillas Contest. Sadly, soon after their arrival Burma died, and Ivan was alone. For his first three years in America, Ivan lived in a human home and was cuddled and played with by humans.  Eventually he was placed in a cage in the mall where he grew into a silverback gorilla. He had a TV and a few toys, but mostly he watched the people through a window. Shoppers began to react negatively to Ivan’s lonely life, but it wasn’t until he had lived in his cage for 27 years that he was gently moved to Zoo Atlanta where scientists helped him adapt to a more jungle-like lifestyle. There are a few photographs of the gorillas in the back of the book along with some more facts and even a painting by Ivan.  

Hanna’s Comments: This second PBT Dynamic Duo offering about rescued animals is quite different than those offered yesterday. Because this story is beautifully animated and reads less like a documentary and more like a children’s story, the realities of Ivan’s life are not as harsh as my summary might suggest. Do consider the sensitivities of your young audiences though when choosing non-fiction stories or videos about animals that are mistreated. I could have featured many more picture books like these some of which involve cross-species relationships that fascinate scientists. Here are a few others:

Terra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

Suryia & Rosco: The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship

Kate & Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story

Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World

Publisher & Date of Publication: Clarion Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, The back of this book explains that you can access a slideshow about Ivan at www.ZooAtlanta.org.

PBT Category: Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, adaptation/assimilation, Africa, America, animals, brokenness, cruelty, the environment/nature, exile/separation, fear, greed/selfishness, growing up/growth, loneliness, neglect, new home/relocation, pets, poaching/stealing/theft, rescue, respect, victims

Scripture Connections: Peaceable Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6); love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4); let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Use any of these picture books about animals when talking about God’s creative design of various species and how humans have been encouraged to be their caretakers. OR Use these books to speak about the various ways love can be demonstrated, even across species. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 302

Picture Book: Sadako

Author: Eleanor Coerr

Illustrator: Ed Young

Summary: It’s August of 1954 in Hiroshima, Japan, and a happy and healthy Sadako Sasaki is anticipating Peace Day, a memorial day for those who died in the atomic bombing of that city. Although it is like a carnival, Sadako is reminded that it is first a day of memorial and reverance. Next we learn of Sadako’s dreams of being a great runner as she prepares for a relay race. When spells of dizziness and fainting plague her, Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia, known as the atomic bomb disease. She is hospitalized long term. A friend brings her origami paper and tells her of a Japanese legend. If a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, she will be made well again. With each crane Sadako folds, she wishes to get better. She meets a young boy with the same disease who has little hope. She sends him a crane, but it does not save him. After folding 500 cranes, Sadako does begin to feel better so she goes home where she receives a beautiful kimono from her mother. She becomes weak again and returns to the hospital where she continues to work on her cranes, reaching 644. Eventually she begins to accept and wonder about death. Her death is written here as a peaceful, dream with her family surrounding her. After her death, Sadako’s friends finish folding the paper cranes. The book ends with a description of the monument placed in Sadako’s memory at Hiroshima Peace Park where every Peace Day children hang garlands of paper cranes. The monument is inscribed with these words: This is our cry, this our prayer: Peace in the world.    

Hanna’s Comments: This book has many references to Sadako’s faith. You will need to frame these contradictions with your own faith in a way that does not detract from this powerful story. Sadako was made famous all over the world via a chapter book for children written by this author in 1977. Much material is available about her, on-line and otherwise. You’ll find short videos, books of various reading levels, supplemental teaching activities, and even music by pianist George Winston. Her short life has inspired many. Choose carefully what you will share with a young audience. This subject is not an easy one, but it will be remembered. Point out that “peace” has many meanings. In this book, Sadako seems to have attained a personal peace as she faces her death. There is another picture book about Sadako, but it was not in our local library system for me to review. It is Peace Crane by Sheila Hamanaka.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1992

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are none for this picture book, but there are many materials about Sadako Sasaki on-line and otherwise.

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Biography, Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, Asia, brokenness, commitment, death/loss/grief, difficulties, dying, endings, friends/friendship,  heroes, labor/work, legends/myths, loneliness, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, prayer, reverence, victims, war/war veterans, wishes

Scripture Connections: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4); blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9); so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18); seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to older children in lessons about peace or young heroes who have inspired others. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 297

Picture Book: Be Gentle

Author & Illustrator: Virginia Miller

Summary: Bartholomew loves his new little black kitten, but he’s not yet learned how to handle his new pet. George, an adult bear, tells him to “be gentle because she is only little.” After some squashing, scary rides, and a surprise with the garden hose, Bartholomew is reminded to be gentle. Each time he says, “Nah!” Bartholomew plays the drums for the new kitten, but she runs away. Then he is sad and sorry so he goes to his secret hiding place, where he finds the little black kitten. He handles her gently, and she purrs. He is learning.

Hanna’s Comments: Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Gentleness has many forms besides what is represented here, but this is a great first lesson for very young children in how to treat others, not just pets. Note that a board book publication of this book has a different cover than the one you see photographed here.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 1997

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, Toddler 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: action, adaptation/assimilation, affection, animals, babies/children, caring/tending, care of creation, comfort, companionship, conformity, education/learning/school, fear, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gentleness/meekness, God’s will, golden rule, goodness, hiding/isolation, mistakes, noise/sound/voice, nurturing, pets, play, power, regret/repentance, respect, victims

Scripture Connections: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22); the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason… (James 3:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of very young children who are learning how to care for and respect God’s creatures or the fruits of the Spirit. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 209

Picture Book: Bully

Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Summary: On her first day of school, Lyla meets Jamie a new 6^th grade boy. When Lyla makes cheerleader, she must keep her friendship with Jamie secret because of her new popular friends. When Lyla witnesses cyber-bullying with Jamie as one of the targets, she is ashamed and tries to distance herself from the girls. When she defends eating lunch with Jamie, Lyla becomes the target of their cyber-bullying.

Hanna’s Comments: The context of this book will be very familiar to older elementary and middle school students. It should serve as a great tool for discussion because the modern characters are well-developed and this issue is very pertinent to many teens and pre-teens. Do note the length of this text and allow time for discussion. Cyber-bullying has become a serious issue of concern for too many students and adults. Its effects can be devastating and permanent. Families of faith are not immune. In fact, it behooves those of us who have influence on youth to offer a place for honest discussion and the teaching of coping strategies, proactive approaches, and moral guidance before this issue detrimentally affects our communities. This book ends the PBT focus on bullying. I hope that you find these books to be helpful resources.

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2012

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, belonging, betrayal, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, choices/decisions, commitment, communication, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, enemies, ethics, evil, exclusion/inclusion,  friends/friendship, injustice, new school, peer pressure, power, relationships, resisting evil, righteousness, victims

Scripture Connections: A friend loves at all time (Proverbs 17:17); whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor (Proverbs 21:21)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this book to tweens or junior highs in your faith community when talking about issues surrounding bullying or cyber-bullying.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 208

Picture Book:  Bully B.E.A.N.S.

Author: Julia Cook

Illustrator: Anita DuFalla

Summary: Bobbette is the big bad bully in this book, an expert at intimidating her elementary peers, especially Winston, the smartest kid in school. The unnamed female protagonist is invited to Bobbette’s house. There she meets Bobbette’s brother who bullies Bobbette in the same way Bobbette bullies everyone at her school. At home that night, the protagonist explains the bullying to her mom. Her mom gets out a bag of jelly beans and labels them “Bully BEANS” to remind those who eat them that they already have the power to stop bullies. Then she explains that to stop a bully you have to take away their power which requires working and standing together as a group. She suggests that the next time Bobbette bullies Winston, they should all stand beside him and look Bobbette in the eyes. Eat a Bully Bean beforehand. Another tactic is to ignore Bobbette or don’t look her in the eyes. When forced to look in her eyes, together they should loudly say, “Back off!” Telling a teacher or writing a note to a teacher is another suggestion. Lastly, she says that it is important to remember that Bobbette is just kid on the inside who deserves another chance if she starts to act like a friend, not a bully. The next day when the instructions are given and the Bully Beans are passed out, the strategies are tried successfully though with many Bully Beans and much courage. Eventually Bobbette becomes a friend who they armor with Bully Beans for her home situation.

Hanna’s Comments: This book about bullying is written with humor and at a lower level than others I have offered so that it is appropriate for older preschoolers. Also available is Bully B.E.A.N.S.: Activity and Idea Book. Using candy to solve social problems might be a problem for you. It might depend on the degree to which your bullying problem is disrupting your environment. Healthier options might be considered, but Bully Beans does have a nice ring to it. There is an acronym to support the idea: Bullies Everywhere Are Now Stopped.

Publisher & Date of Publication: National Center for Youth Issues, 2009

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: Post 2k

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, abuse/abuse of power, action, anger, anxiety/worry, armor, bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, communication, community, conflict, danger, dependence/interdependence, difficulties, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, encouragement, fear, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, friends/friendship, injustice, intercession, mentors/teachers, partners/teamwork, parents/parental love, power, presence, problems/problem solving, underdogs, victims

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Idea(s) for Application:  Read this book to children if you have a bullying situation within your faith community. Attribute the courage found to be a gift from God and emphasize loving kindness and mercy to all bullies.  

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. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 205

Picture Book: Say Something

Author: Peggy Moss

Illustrator: Lea Lyon

Summary: This elementary-aged female protagonist witnesses bullying, but she never intervenes. When she is bullied, she realizes how desperately she wishes one of her friends, many of whom were there to witness it, would intervene. When she tells her brother how mad she is at her friends, he says, “Why? They didn’t do anything.” She sees herself in his response. The next day she befriends one of the bully victims.

Hanna’s Comments: An African proverb begins this book: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in the room with a mosquito.” Resources at the end of the book will encourage conversation with children and offer more information. Since its publication, this book has inspired “Say Something Weeks” in schools all over the world. The tenth anniversary edition has an author’s note. Anti-bullying Week is November 16-22, 2014.  You can check it out at: http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/ . For the next several days, I will be offering books on bullying. For an explanation, see my comments on Day 196.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Tillbury House, 2004

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: abuse/abuse of power, action, belonging, betrayal, bravery/courage, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, challenges, conflict, discord, education/learning/school, emotions/feelings, exclusion/inclusion, friends/friendship, injustice, power, relationships, resisting evil, victims

Scripture Connections: Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression (Isaiah 1:17); as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to school age children in your faith family when doing a lesson on seeking justice for others. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 196

Picture Book: Each Kindness               

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Summary: A new girl, Maya, enters school, but Chloe and her friends won’t play with her because of the way she’s dressed. Eventually Maya no longer comes to school, then she moves away, but she is remembered by Chloe when their teacher gives a lesson on how each kindness that is bestowed makes the world better. The teacher uses a bowl of water and stones to illustrate this concept, focusing on the water ripples that spread. Chloe reflects on this idea and realizes her lost opportunities for kindness toward Maya and for friendship.

Hanna’s Comments: Consider this book a hint of things to come. Within the pages of this book about shunning and cruelty is a subtle anti-bullying message. You might not recognize it as bullying since there is no physical aggression or obvious taunting, but girls often bully in different ways than boys. Bullying in the manner of boys gets the most media attention. Girls bully with deliberate and calculated alienation and subtle insults. That’s what happens in this story and too often in communities of faith, both at places of worship and in religious schools, where breaking down the barriers of cliques can be especially hard. This is true despite scriptural exhortations to be hospitable. If your faith community struggles with this issue, consider focusing on an anti-bullying message and how it is in conflict with your faith values. The week of November 16 is Anti-bullying month here in the USA. Look for a focus on that issue in the PBT offerings the week before (November 9/Day 204 through November 15/Day 210). Meanwhile, you can check out www.bullyingawarenessweek.org .

Publisher & Date of Publication: Penguin, 2012

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audio book

PBT Category: Award, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: aliens/immigrants/refugees/strangers, brokenness, choices/decisions, clothes/shoes, communication, community, confession, conformity, consequences/punishment, cruelty, differences, emotions/feelings, evangelism, exile/separation/walls, friends/friendship, golden rule/great commandment, greed/selfishness, guilt, hospitality, injustice, mistakes, new school, outsiders, peer pressure, poverty, power, prejudice, regret/repentance, relationships, sin, victims

Scripture Connections: Let the words of my mouth... be acceptable to Your heart (Psalm 19:14); death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:22); what comes out of the mouth defiles a person (Matthew 15:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Teach the children in your faith community the prayer usually attributed to King David (Psalm 19:14) and talk about how words can welcome, hurt, and heal in powerful ways.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 95

Picture Book: Washing the Willow Loon

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter

Summary: This is a beautiful story about one willow loon who becomes covered in oil from an oil spill. A driver notices the loon in the shallows but thinks, “What’s one bird? It’s not my worry,” and drives past. A house painter tries to net her, but she swims away. Eventually a baker gently nets her and takes her to a place where a series of trained workers, including a barber, a teen, an old woman, and an artist, carefully clean her. Ultimately she is released into the wild. Throughout the book, there is a refrain from the volunteers, “I have work to do.” The detailed regimens of these important tasks are described with reverence for the birds and the work. 

Hanna’s Comments: I especially like the contrast the author draws between the rationalizing driver who passes by the loon and the volunteers who have obviously invested time and training to learn how to deal with this unusual need. The focus on the one loon gives this story a great deal of emotional heft. Also, the many steps of the rehabilitation process for the bird are enlightening.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Simon & Schuster, 1995

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: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, animals, attentiveness/observation/seeing, baptism/washing, beach/ocean/sea/shore, body of Christ, brokenness, caring/tending, care of creation, dependence/interdependence, disaster, the environment/nature, fear, found, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gentleness/meekness, gift/giftedness/talents, God’s care/providence, God’s nature, God’s will, goodness, helping, healing/healthcare, heroes, hiding/isolation/walls, holiness, humanity, image of God, intercession, kindness, labor/work, nurturing, outreach, partners/teamwork, pollution, power, prayer, problems/problem-solving, renewal/restoration, rescue, safe place/sanctuary, searching, servant hood/service/serving, sin, survival, transformation, trust/trustworthiness, underdogs, unity, victims, water, wisdom, works vs. faith/grace

Scripture Connections: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37); washing Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-8) or head (Matthew 26:6-13)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this in a lesson or sermon on healing or transformation.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 86

Picture Book: Flood

Illustrator: Alvaro F. Villa

Summary: A family, who lives near a small river, receives flood warnings. With the help of neighbors, they place sandbags around their house, gather some things, escape to a hotel, and hope for the best. But the waters rush into their home anyway. All pitch in to clean and rebuild, and eventually their home is restored.

Hanna’s Comments: I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a wordless book for use with a group, but this book is stunning and directly relates to scriptures shared by the 3 Abrahamic faiths. Because it is a wordless book, you may want to have several copies of the book. Don't be afraid to have your audience just look at the book in silence for a moment as you turn each page. Also, it is imperative that you do a good job describing the illustrations as you direct their eyes to particular aspects of the story. Encourage discussion that relates directly to their experiences or the experiences of those they love. You could also explore broader subjects such as natural disasters or family tragedies and connect those comments to your beliefs and faith values.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Picture Window Books, 2013

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? This is a wordless picture book.

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, anxiety/worry, beach/ocean/pond/river/sea/shore, body of Christ, brokenness, challenges, change, chaos/disorder, danger, death/loss/grief, disaster, emotions/feelings, the environment/nature, family, fear, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, helping, home, labor/work, perseverance, possessions, protecting/protection, rain, renewal/restoration, security, storms, survival, tragedy, transformation, unity, victims, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 7 & 8); the flood sweeps over me (Psalm 69:1-3)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson about the flood in Genesis. If your area suffers from a flood, read this to a serve team and consider how your ministry might respond.