The Legacy of Jerry Pinkney

Today I pay tribute to book illustrator Jerry Pinkney who died yesterday, leaving a legacy of over 100 books. Not all were picture books, but much of his great talent was seen in the pages of beautiful picture books. He was the recipient of many awards & medals, including the Caldecott medals & The Children's Literacy Legacy Award. 

I first discovered Jerry Pinkney years ago in Mirandy and Brother Wind. His author partner was Patricia McKissack. Here's a link to a read-aloud and a musical based on this joyful and humorous book that beautifully captures tweens of an earlier time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpEeB1jq-y4.

Both beautiful and joyful, this picture book classic would be a great book for connecting the concept of wind to The Holy Spirit, a common idea in our scriptures. Mirandy wants to catch the wind to do her bidding at a cake walk. We humans all have an inclination to have God do our bidding. Additionally, there is such joy when the children dance with the wind! This book could be an intriguing book to read on Pentecost Sunday.

I'm a bit perplexed as to why I don't have Mirandy or more of Jerry Pinkney's books here. Likely, it's a matter of too many books so little time. He illustrated many classic tales. Below you'll see a PBT link to 1 of those old stories along with 2 other books of newer stories. A 4th PBT book is illustrated by his son, Brian, a celebrated illustrator as well. Both Jerry & Brian were often in partnership with their wives, who authored many of the books. These 4 artists have made a tremendous impact on the picture book world and the lives of countless children and "children at heart" who love their gorgeous and meaningful books.    

The Moon Over Star

This I tied to Genesis 1 & Psalm 8:3 (When I look at the heavens...).    

The Lion and the Mouse

I tied this book to scriptures about loving your neighbor.

Goin' Someplace Special

For this book about the library, I chose these scriptures: John 8:32 (…the truth shall set you free.) & Galatians 5:13 (For you were called to freedom...).

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down

Micah 6:8 (What does God require...) and Romans 12:2 (Do not be conformed to this world...) were easily tied to this tremendous book!

I implore you to explore the legacy of Jerry Pinkney and consider the many ways his books can illustrate faith. Thank you, Mr. Pinkney!

Seed Parables

Picture Book: The Tiny Seed
Author & Illustrator: Eric Carle

Summary: It's autumn and a group of seeds begin their journey via the wind from tree to destiny. Carle asks if the tiniest of them will be able to keep up. 

One seed flies too close to the sun.

 One lands in ice that never melts.

 Another seed falls into the ocean. 

A hot dry desert is too much for one seed. Meanwhile, the tiny seed is pushed on with the others. 

When the seeds fall to the ground, one is eaten, but not the tiny seed. It is so small. It isn't seen. 

The tiny seed also avoids being a mouse lunch. 

It's spring; the seeds transform into plants. 

One plant is trampled.   

One is picked... 

to become a gift.

Amazingly, the tiny seed becomes a tremendous flower, taller than a nearby house - a giant! 

Birds and bees visit all summer. They too are surprised by its size. 

When Autumn returns, the wind blows petals (and seeds) about, continuing the circle of life.  

Hanna’s Comments: I hope you see the direct connections this book has to Jesus' seed parables. Those seeds metaphorically represented the gospel, the church, or The Kingdom of God. In each case, the giant flower offers a nice point of discussion about the growth and influence of these throughout history. A board book is photographed above, but because of the amount of text, this book is better for older children who might not like being read a board book. Instead choose a larger version or the video which is very well done and free if you are an Amazon Prime member. If you’re an Eric Carle fan, find more of his books at PBT [here] and [here.] There are many books here at PBT about seeds. Besides the direct connections to seed parables, they offer aspects of transformation & resurrection and a need for tender care. My 2 favorites which are very different in tone are [here] and [here]. Find a fabulous book about the mustard seed [here]. If you want to see many more books about seeds, use the search word "seeds."

Original Publisher & Date: Little Simon, 2009

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

Formats other than Book: Video

Scripture Connections: The seed parables particularly The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, & Luke 8:4-15) and The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 31-32) Any Bible story about resilience or starting out small. 

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children when studying one or more of the seed parables.

A Multi-Media Experience

Picture Book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Authors: William Kamkwamba

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon

Summary: This is a true story of 14 year old William, whose village in Malawi suffers a crippling drought. It begins with an explanation that William's village is a farming community with no electricity for lights or irrigation. 

But William loves the dark because he can dream of building things from scraps he collects. He does build many things.  

William works in the fields and attends school when his family can afford the fees. 

As the burning sun and lack of ran burns fields to dust,  

William's family has no fees for school.

One meal a day is all they can afford. Others in their village have even less.   

William is a determined learner so he goes to the village library and reads science books, but they are in English. Thanks to an English dictionary, William feeds his desire for learning. 

When he sees a book about how a windmill can produce electricity, creating light and pumping water, 

 

William imagines the good such a machine can bring his family and village. 

He is determined to build the "electric wheel" with the scraps he finds. Others think he's crazy, 

but his friends soon want to help. 

The windmill is built, 

and electricity is generated, but "Light could not fill empty bellies" so a water pump is built next. 

Later, other windmills are built, once the community sees the "magic" of William's inventions and their power to feed their community and their entire country. 

Hanna’s Comments: Picture books are great resources for all ages, but when you can supplement them with other media experience such as video, the learning will be even more meaningful. I was thrilled to learn that there is a new Netflix film based on this story. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor from the movie 12 Years a Slave. I watched and was very pleased by how closely it corresponds to this book. It was beautifully done, but some death scenes and violence are present so be sure to preview with your audience in mind. Other versions of this story are available as well, one a chapter book for children, another is appropriate for teens and adults, and you'll find a book about William in a series for elementary-aged students called Remarkable Lives Revealed. This last book would likely have many photographs. For both the film and the picture book, you'll need to address the meaning behind the mystical costumed figures. These are ghost dancers, an aspect of William's culture that gives him inspiration and comfort. The power of this story is multi-faceted. Themes such as vocation (William has a scientific mind he seems called to use) and science vs magic vs faith are rich subjects for conversation with teens and young adults in your churches. You can also focus on the wind as a metaphor for God’s power, God’s inspiration, or The Holy Spirit which is inside William giving him agency to change his family’s (and community’s) quality of life. The movie ends with this line: God is as the wind which touches everything. I recently heard a news story about solar panels decreasing in cost and being used all over Africa. More modern versions of evolving tech or updates on William might be included in your program. Anytime you can challenge your audience, no matter their age, to connect their faith with current events, especially global issues, then you’ve added great meaning and potential for spiritual growth.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2012

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

Formats other than Book: None at present but the other books are available in other formats.

Scripture Connections: Scriptures about wind such as the story of Pentecost in Acts 2, scriptures of prophets leading their communities such as those of Elijah, and Bible stories about young leaders such as in the story of David & Goliath

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of teens and explore the themes above. Beforehand, invite the teens to watch the Netflix movie or watch it together. 

New PBT Series: God Book #1

Today's post begins a new PBT series in which I offer posts from the past that featured PBT God books. These are picture books that explore the nature of God. Typically I offer secular books here; God books are the exception. Because I have not yet featured these books a 2nd time and they are so rich with ministry possibilities, I'm going to post about these for the next week or so. My elbow is healing well. Doing more re-posting has helped with that process. Thanks for your prayers and patience for new posts. Below I highlight 2 great books for young children that explore what God is like. 

Picture Book: God is Like a Mother Hen and Much,                                     Much More

Author: Carolyn Stahl Bohler

Illustrator: Dean Nicklas with help from daughter Amy

Summary: In simple metaphors and illustrations, God’s nature is explored in ways that are meaningful to young children. God is like a mother hen, daddy, teacher, friend, mommy, the air, a child, you, and love. The last illustrated page offers a blank frame with an invitation, “Can you think of what else God is like?”

Hanna’s Comments: At the back of the book you’ll find a note to parents and teachers explaining how metaphors are important for use when exploring God’s nature. Interestingly, they also suggest you explore with the children ways that God is not like the metaphor. This would offer more distinctive meaning and confirm that God is unique, mysterious, and much more. Lastly, all the symbols used in the book are listed with 1 or 2 scripture references.  

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1996

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: See the list in the back of the book for many scripture connections.

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with young children at bedtime or in a group lesson for imaginatively exploring the nature of God. 

Picture Book: God is Like…: Three Parables for Children

Author: Julie Walters

Illustrator: Thea Kliros 

Summary: In the first of three parables, a rock at the edge of the sea is shown and described. Repeatedly it is emphasized that “the rock stayed the same” despite the waves, weather, and a boy’s attempts to move it. As the boy ages, he notices that the rock does not change. He wonders, “Could God be like a rock?” The appropriateness of this simile is revealed and a scripture reference is given. The second simile begins as a spark of light that grows into a campfire and illuminates a young girl’s play and imagination. She guides other children to the light, and when the sun comes up the next morning, she wonders if God could be like the light. Jesus is offered as the light of the world with a scripture reference. Similarly, the third simile, a breath of wind, is illustrated in the playful activities of another young boy.

Hanna’s Comments: Note the length of this book. I suggest presenting it over 3 sessions. Each parable offers much in terms of conversation and supplemental activities. Don’t be afraid that your children are not able to think abstractly. One of the beauties of metaphorical thinking is that it allows humans to translate abstract thought into concrete, meaningful terms. Focus on the concrete and consider additional metaphors for God that might inspire other stories, questions, and lessons. The other picture book I’ve offered in this post will give you some possibilities, and I encourage you to think of some on your own that would be particularly meaningful for your children. Like mentioned above, talking about what God (or Jesus) is not like, is also helpful.

Original Publisher & Date: Water Brook Press, 1973

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Each of the similes (parables) is tied to a scripture reference.

Idea(s) for Application: This book could easily be translated into 3 simple skits for 3 different children to silently dramatize while the text is read in a lesson or even in a worship experience for your entire family of faith.

What is God Like? Two Books that Explore this Central Question for Young Children

 Picture Book: God is Like a Mother Hen and Much, Much More

Author: Carolyn Stahl Bohler

Illustrator: Dean Nicklas with help from daughter Amy

Summary: In simple metaphors and illustrations, God’s nature is explored in ways that are meaningful to young children. God is like a mother hen, daddy, teacher, friend, mommy, the air, a child, you, and love. The last illustrated page offers a blank frame with an invitation, “Can you think of what else God is like?”

Hanna’s Comments: At the back of the book you’ll find a note to parents and teachers explaining how metaphors are important for use when exploring God’s nature. Interestingly, they also suggest you explore with the children ways that God is not like the metaphor. This would offer more distinctive meaning and confirm that God is unique, mysterious, and much more. Lastly, all of the symbols used in the book are listed with 1 or 2 scripture references.  

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1996

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: God Book, Pre 2K 

Scripture Connections: See the list in the back of the book for many scripture connections.

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book with young children at bedtime or in a group lesson for imaginatively exploring the nature of God. 

Picture Book: God is Like…: Three Parables for Children

Author: Julie Walters

Illustrator: Thea Kliros 

Summary: In the first of three parables, a rock at the edge of the sea is shown and described. Repeatedly it is emphasized that “the rock stayed the same” despite the waves, weather, and a boy’s attempts to move it. As the boy ages, he notices that the rock does not change. He wonders, “Could God be like a rock?” The appropriateness of this simile is revealed and a scripture reference is given. The second simile begins as a spark of light that grows into a campfire and illuminates a young girl’s play and imagination. She guides other children to the light, and when the sun comes up the next morning, she wonders if God could be like the light. Jesus is offered as the light of the world with a scripture reference. Similarly, the third simile, a breath of wind, is illustrated in the playful activities of another young boy.

Hanna’s Comments: Note the length of this book. I suggest presenting it over 3 sessions. Each of them offers much in terms of conversation and supplemental activities. Don’t be afraid that your children are not able to think abstractly. One of the beauties of metaphorical thinking is that it allows humans to translate abstract thought into concrete, meaningful terms. Focus on the concrete and consider additional metaphors for God that might inspire other stories, questions, and lessons. The other picture book I’ve offered in this post will give you some possibilities, and I encourage you to think of some on your own that would be particularly meaningful for your children.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Water Brook Press, 1973

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

# of Pages: 96 

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: God Book, Classic

Scripture Connections: Each of the similes is tied to a scripture reference.

Idea(s) for Application: This book could easily be translated into 3 simple skits for 3 different children to silently dramatize while the text is read in a lesson or even in a worship experience for your entire family of faith.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 352

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: A Seed is Sleepy

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Sylvia Long

Summary: This informative and striking picture book offers pictorial details and fun facts about a wide variety of seeds in a range of sizes, textures, structures, colors, idiosyncrasies, transport methods, and habitats. You’ll find the anatomy of a seed and the life cycles of several common seeds. There are some anecdotes such as the story of an ancient seed, unearthed in an archeological dig, that surprised the scientists by sprouting! The title comes from the fact that most seeds are dormant for a season or more.  

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book is one of a beautiful series of 6. Each offers gorgeous details and facts about its subject, even on the end papers. More books may follow. Here are the other titles, all of which have central subjects that are often spiritual or religious themes:

A Nest is Noisy

A Butterfly is Patient

A Rock is Lively

An Egg is Quiet
A Beetle is Shy

Remember, this type of non-fiction book is perfect for doing some creative program planning around a particular scriptural theme.This is the first offering in a PBT Dynamic Duo about seeds. Tomorrow’s book is a narrative from the point of view of a moonflower seed.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Chronicle Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 40 

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet 

PBT Category: Non-fiction, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, awe, beauty, beginnings/morning, blessing, breath/breathing/wind, caring/tending, dependence/interdependence, diversity, dying, eggs/seeds, the environment/nature, evangelism, faith/faithfulness, flowers/leaves/trees, fruit/fruit of the Spirit, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, growing up/growth, hope, land/mountains/soil, patience, perseverance, purpose, quiet/rest/silence/sleep, transformation, variety, waiting, wonder

Scripture Connections: I have given you every plant yielding seed… and every tree with seed in its fruit. (Genesis 1:29); the seed parables (Matthew 13); unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24); whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this picture book when researching and planning lessons about how seeds are viewed symbolically in the Holy Scriptures or in a personal faith journey. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 265

Picture Book:  Alexander Calder

Author & Illustrator: Mike Venezia

Summary: The early life and art career of Alexander Calder is presented here with photographs as well as the author’s comical cartoons of key aspects of Calder’s life. Calder is an artist widely known for his 20^th century invention of mobiles and his large sculptures. Activities in his early years, in which Calder created his own toys from wire and found objects, are presented as precursors to his distinctive art and influential career.

Hanna’s Comments: This book is representative of Mike Venezia’s prolific work. It is part of his series: Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists. His other series include Getting to Know the U. S. Presidents, Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers, and Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Inventors & Scientists. Corresponding to the list of series above, Venezia’s subjects range from Abraham Lincoln, to the Beatles, to Marie Curie. At this time, this book is quite expensive to purchase so look in your local library. Not all books in this author’s series are so rare and expensive. Although I am a big fan of Calder’s art, I’m especially offering this book as a sample of Venenzia’s many resource books. His biographies could offer numerous possibilities for supplementing children’s programming in your faith community or as the basis for writing your own program. For instance, I could see this book as inspiration for a thematic unit about wind, a concept that is often in our Holy Scriptures.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Children’s Press, 1998

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 2^nd and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Rare but Worth the Search, Non-fiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, adaptation/assimilation, America, art, beginnings/morning, breath/breathing/wind, call/calling/vocation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, gifts/talents, Holy Spirit/spirit, image of God, passion, play

Scripture Connections: We are made in Creator God’s image (Genesis 1:27); whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things (Philippians 4:8)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a program on wind or how the Holy Spirit moves us. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 167

Terrific Trio: Book 2

Picture Book: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves                   

Author: Julia Rawlinson

Illustrator: Tiphanie Beeke

Summary: Fletcher, a young fox, loves a particular tree that is beginning to turn brown and lose some leaves. He begins to panic and tells his mom, but she’s not worried. His animal neighbors seem to think the fallen leaves are theirs to use. This confuses Fletcher. He manages to recruit a flock of birds to put some of the leaves back on, but a wind sends the leaves sailing again. Fletcher tries to hold the last leaf in place but to no avail so he takes the leaf home and makes a bed for it. When Fletcher awakes at dawn, it is significantly colder so he checks on his tree and sees that it has been transformed with icicles. It’s more beautiful than ever. “Are you alright?” he asks. The tree shivers in the wind. The tinkling answer of the icicles is comfort enough for Fletcher who hugs his tree and goes back to his den.   

Hanna’s Comments: I think I especially loved this book because the fox seems so human. Fletcher thinks he understands, but he’s panicking for no reason. Also, his need for control is comical. What he dreads is beyond his comprehension and inevitable. Like Fletcher’s concerns, many of my worries are due to my very limited understanding and my desire to fix that which I don’t really understand. Fortunately, Fletcher recognizes the beauty in his tree’s changes and begins to trust that what is happening is as it should be. Like Fletcher, I am learning to trust the Creator more and rely less on my own understanding.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Greenwillow Books, 2001

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Audible audio CD, This video is in the collection The Curious Garden and Other Stories. 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, action, anxiety/worry, beauty, breath/breathing/wind, caring/tending, challenges, change, the environment/nature, fear, flowers/leaves/trees, friends/friendship, intercession, judgment/judges/judging, power, prayer, transformation

Scripture Connections: Trust in the Lord…do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5); For everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1); Do not be anxious (Matthew 6:25 & Philippians 4:6); Tell me in the morning about your love, because I trust you. (Psalm 143:8)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be a great book when talking with young children about change or worry and how the Holy Scriptures and our faith in God comfort us in these circumstances.