Microphones, Bullies, & Stinky Feet

The following 3 books are a series. Each is rich with potential conversations about what it means to be meek and yet self-determining, manipulated and then powerful, anxious and yet willing to trust joy. Through these 3 books, you’ll see Willow evolve in ways that are worth examining. It is likely that the children in your faith family are like Willow at times, struggling with the demands of school and their own uncertainty. Adults could learn a thing or two from Willow’s tenderness, courage, and determination.  

Picture Book: Willow’s Whispers

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In this introduction to Willow, we learn that she is very soft-spoken.

This causes some problems in her classroom because she is not able to communicate her desires. Eventually, she cleverly creates a microphone that helps. 

When the mike is accidentally crushed, she realizes her strength to speak so that she can be heard.

Hanna’s Comments: The reasons for Willow’s soft voice are not told to us here. Instead, we get a glimpse of what it’s like to be unheard and even unseen.

This situation can be applied to all sorts of individuals and groups, in school situations and in adult situations such as in the office, in faith contexts, or in situations of disenfranchisement. Think broadly and personally while getting to know Willow. Consider how your children’s faith might inform their responses to personal limitations and others who are left out.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  Put on then… compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12); Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:4)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family all about striving beyond personal limitations with determination and God’s creative problem-solving.

Picture Book: Willow Finds a Way

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In the 2nd book, Willow and her classmates struggle with a class bully. We glimpse Kristabelle in book 1. Here she comes to class with a party invitation list and threatens to mark off the name of anyone who doesn’t follow her demands. 

Eventually, Willow is the one who courageously marks her own name off of the list. Other classmates follow. Kristabelle is hurt and isolated until Willow goes to the back of the line to “stand with Kristabelle” who then apologizes. 

Kristabelle tears up the invitation list saying, “My party will be fantastic… if all of my friends will come… please.” 

Hanna’s Comments: This book is about hospitality and courage, 2 important subjects for children to explore with their faith families. The world is hurting right now because of bullies sowing division and good people on the sidelines feeling powerless to speak up in ways that are civil, courageous, and kind. Point out that Willow also stands with Kristabelle, when she is hurting, and that makes all the difference. 

Ground all of this behavior in the context of biblical principles so that your kids will feel more empowered to make a positive difference in their classrooms and their world. Teach your children well and perhaps their parents will learn from them.

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to stand up to bullies and then be compassionate towards their hurting.

Picture Book: Willow’s Smile

Author: Lana Button

Illustrator: Tania Howells

Summary: In book 3 Willow is anxious about picture day. Again, the reason is not given, but her anxiety is very real. 

Her teacher handles this beautifully by asking the photographer to allow Willow to be his assistant. As photos of her friends are taken amidst the shouts of the silly names such an occasion calls for, Willow is encouraged to help each friend smile. 

When it’s her turn, Willow doesn’t smile until her friends give her many reasons, including a shout of “Hey, Mrs. Tickle Toes!” At the group photo, Willow joins all her friends in saying “Stinky Feet!” with a smile.

Hanna’s Comments: My favorite point in this story is when Willow, without hesitation, gives a ribbon to her friend who forgot it was picture day. 

This is such a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes to Willow’s character and lack of vanity. Children need examples like this. Spend some time on just this little Willow moment, connecting it with scripture and your faith family’s values.   

Original Publisher & Date: Kid’s Can Press, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections:  The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things… and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9); Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Let Willow teach the children in your faith family how to let their community help when they are struggling with anxiety. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 263

Picture Book: Telephone   

Author: Mac Barnett

Illustrator: Jen Corace

Summary: At one end of a telephone line, Mother Bird says to the bird beside her, “Tell Peter: Fly home for dinner.” This message is passed and distorted as each bird along the telephone line poorly interprets Mother Bird’s message. Each messenger, one of a series of various bird species, seems to be influenced by observed events and a vivid imagination.  Amazingly, a wise owl is able to decipher the message and accurately repeat it to Peter. The story ends happily with Peter flying home.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a comical book about poor communication. It seems to be inspired by the old Gossip game that I used to play as a child. Besides the humor and details of the illustrations, I like the simplicity of the plot, but there is a lot of potential for discussion here with children and adults. Too often humans don’t listen and communicate poorly. Does this happen in your faith community? That’s a rhetorical question of course! Two subjects that I think any faith community would be wise to consider are the importance of listening in love and discernment. Discernment is a complex concept but crucial for a faithful individual and a community who hopes to grow as they journey with God. Discerning the desires and needs of fellow members of your family of faith is important, but more important is our willingness to listen and consider God’s desires. This requires patience and wisdom, like the owl in this wise story.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Chronicle 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

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: bonds/connections, change, communication, community, dependence/interdependence, differences, diversity, God’s will, listening, mistakes, neighbors, neighborhood, noise/sounds/voice, prophesy/prophets, truth, variety, wisdom, word of God

Scripture Connections: Make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your hearts to understanding (Proverbs 2:2); whoever is of God hears the words of God (John 8:47); let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak (James 1:19); let those who have ears hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider playing the game of Gossip with children after you read them this wonderfully silly book. However, adults would also benefit from a reading of this book, particularly as a part of a program or series on discernment, listening, or loving communication. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 185

Picture Book: My Mouth is a Volcano

Author: Julia Cook

Illustrator: Carrie Hartman

Summary: Louis has a lot to say. People say he erupts (interrupts) a lot, but all of his words are very important to him. Louis’ explains: as other people are talking, his words pop into his head and slide down his tongue. His tongue pushes those words up against his teeth, and he erupts! He blames it on the volcano in his mouth. He gets timed out, but it doesn’t help. Eventually the tables turn. It’s Louis’ day for sharing his poster of favorite things. When his classmates interrupt him, he can’t believe how rude they are being. He talks with his mom, and she helps him see that others feel the same when he interrupts. His mom tells Louis to bite down on his pushy words and take a deep breath to push his words out through his nose instead.  Then he can breathe the words back in when it is his turn to talk. Louis tries it at dinner and it works!

Hanna’s Comments: Yay Louis’ mom! Any book that can give such a practical and concrete strategy to a common, social problem deserves your attention. When reading this to children in your faith community, tie in the Latin word “pneuma” which means both breath and spirit. Talk about how the Holy Spirit is our counselor and sometimes the best counsel is to listen rather than speak.

Publisher & Date of Publication: National Center for Youth Issues, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There is an activity and idea book that goes with this picture book.

PBT Category: Award Winner, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: breath/breathing/wind, choices/decisions, education/learning/school, God’s presence, greed/selfishness, Holy Spirit/spirit, humility, listening, mothers, noise/sounds/voice, parents/parental love, perspective, quiet/silence, resisting evil, respect, self-control, sin

Scripture Connections: A babbling fool will come to ruin (Proverbs 10:8); I will ask the Father to give you another counselor (John 14:16); aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson for children on the benefits of breathing deeply to be more centered in the Holy Spirit. Tie in the loving response and value of listening to others as opposed to talking at others.  

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 55

Picture Book: Knuffle Bunny 

Author & Illustrator: Mo Willems

Summary: Trixie & her Knuffle Bunny go along with Daddy on an excursion to the laundromat. After Trixie helps load the washing machine and they head for home, she realizes that Knuffle Bunny is missing. But Trixie isn’t talking yet so screams are the best she can do. Daddy is flummoxed, then frustrated, then angry. Once home, Mommy quickly realizes the problem, and the whole family frantically retrace the route. Trixie is so relieved to find a newly washed Knuffle Bunny, that she says her first words. You guessed it! “Knuffle Bunny.”

Hanna’s Comments: This is such a hilarious book that even older kids & adults will enjoy it. It will offer an opportunity to talk about losing important things (or even relationships), the emotions surrounding those losses, and why they are important to us. For another faith connection to this book, check out the Storypath blog in my list of favorite sites to the right. They suggest this book is a reminder that we have faith rooted in a trust that God will hear us and respond to us even when we can't put our longings into words. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Hyperion, 2004 

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

# of Pages: 40 

Available in Spanish? Yes 

Formats other than Book: Audible

PBT Category: Award Winner (Caldecott Honor), Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anger, anxiety/worry, babies/children, baptism/washing, bonds/connections/connectedness, challenges, comfort, companionship, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, exile/separation, fathers, found, lost, mothers, noise/sounds/voice, nurturing, parents/parental love, renewal/restoration, searching, treasure, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8); Where your treasure is… (Luke 12:34), Lost sheep, coin, or son (Luke 15)

Idea(s) for Application: This book would be great as a part of a lesson on the "lost" parables in Luke 15 (see above).