Author & Illustrator: Colleen
Rowan Kosinski
Summary: Lilla and her father especially enjoy the time
they spend in her sunflower patch.
When Papa leaves for a tour in the military,
Lilla gives him a single sunflower seed to remember her.
The coming days without
her father are very hard for Lilla. She uses the sunflowers to remind her
of her papa.
As the sunflowers droop in their season, Lilla’s faith that her
father will return also wanes.
When birds attack the flowers, she is especially
distraught.
Then she receives a letter from Papa with a photo of the sunflower
he grew and a message of coming home.
He does come home, and together they
plant more sunflowers. In spring, Lilla’s sunflowers bloom and many letters are
received.
Papa explains how the sunflower was such a “bright spot for everyone”
that his friends are sending photos from their homes with their families and
the sunflowers they had grown thanks to the seeds of Lilla’s sunflower.
The photo above finds Lilla satisfied to have her papa home and pleased that one seed that she offered then grew to bring so much joy.
Hanna’s Comments: Today is Veteran’s Day
in the USA so I offer this book as a personal thank you and reminder of the costs
and difficult journeys we require of those in the military and their families. Read
this book to a group of children, teens, or adults in your faith community who
are choosing to remember the sacrifices of veterans.
You can also use this book
to illustrate important spiritual practices such as affirmation, gratitude, and
remembering. Remembrance is not just for those who have died but for those
whose stories we find valuable during their lifetimes. Strong connections
across generations and congregations are built on such storytelling,
affirmation, and gratitude for lives well-spent in service.
A highlight of this
book is its focus on Lilla’s feelings. Anytime you can talk about the feelings
of a character, you offer the possibility of connecting to feelings in your
audience. If these feelings are then connected to faith, they are even
more meaningful.
Original Publisher & Date: Sky Pony Express, 2016
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and
up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: All things work together
for good (Romans 8:28); I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you
in my prayers (Ephesians 1:16); be thankful as you are called in one body
(Colossians 3:15); every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James
1:17); The Passover and Last Supper rituals are
rituals of remembering and thanksgiving.
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book during a
time of remembrance for those in the military and their families who have
sacrificed for you. Then teach the importance of spiritual practices such as affirmation,
gratitude, and remembering.
