A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 274

Picture Book: Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer                          

Author: Tonya Bolden

Illustrator: Eric Valasquez

Summary: One evening in a noisy city, a young boy hurries out of bed because he’s forgotten to say his prayers. As he kneels and prays, he notices a beautiful moon shining in his window. Others in the city are experiencing the rays of the moon, but those people are in distress. Then the author weaves and directs an aspect of the boy’s prayer to each of the other parties. A woman tries to sleep on a park bench; the boy prays for those who are homeless. A businessman reads a news headline about war and is worried for his soldier daughter; the boy prays for war to end. Two adults stare at an empty cupboard; the boy prays for people to have food. This continues as the beautiful moon shines on them all.

Hanna’s Comments: I don’t usually offer what I call “nighttime” books since my primary purpose at PBT is to provide ideas for ministry which usually occurs in daylight hours. I had to make an exception for this book! Help even your youngest listeners understand that the moon is a symbol for God in this story. Then expand on that idea. Talk about the feelings each scenario evokes. Ask... How might God feel about these situations? What might God be doing in this city to alleviate some of this suffering? Also, talk about this boy’s prayer practices and how they are a comfort to him and hopefully a lifelong practice. Mention that he was not "in trouble" early in the story for forgetting to pray. Invite your children (or adults) to share their experiences with prayer practices. If you get silence, there's your opportunity to instruct on the power of silent prayer. Offer a simple prayer ritual and then build on this instruction in future experiences. Throughout share the importance of intercessory prayer (prayer for others) in your own spiritual journey. 

Though not a PBT God Book, there is another extraordinary book that shares much with the book above. Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper is a secular book about a grandfather who lovingly reassures his grandson "that ol' moon will always shine for you... on and on." Again, the moon is a beautiful metaphor for God who is always present. The grandson tests this idea and finds it to be true.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: God Book, Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: anxiety/worry, babies/children, beauty, bonds/connections, darkness/evening/night, difficulties, Earth/world, faith/faithfulness, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, God’s care/providence, God’s presence, heaven/sky, holiness, homelessness, hope, humility, intercession, light/morning, moon/space/stars/sun, neighborhood, poverty, prayer, reverence, righteousness, worship

Scripture Connections: Love the Lord, your God with all your heart… (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:30); when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears (Psalm 34:17); in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be known to God (Philippians 4:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as a nighttime devotional at a church family retreat or a camp program for children. OR Use this book as a tool to instruct children in the importance and comforting spiritual practice of intercessory prayer. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 273

Picture Book: If You’re Happy and You Know It

Adapted by: Anna McQuinn

Illustrator: Sophie Fatus

Summary: This traditional song is delightfully illustrated with a diverse collection of children representing 36 of the world’s cultures. Gestures called for vary from the usual “clap your hands” and “stamp your feet” to the less traditional “point your toes” and say, “Hello.” There are many translations of “hello” in the back of the book along with a drawing of each of the children that make an appearance. Their names and countries are listed too. A note says, “To add words to this song from each of the languages featured in this book, please search for “If You’re Happy and You Know it” at www.barefootbooks.com. The musical score is in the back as well.

Hanna’s Comments: In this version, the lyrics are a little different than what I learned. Rather than the words I sang as a child, “Then your face will surely show it,” this book reads, “And you really want to show it.” That‘s an easy change! Your book may include an enhanced CD with video animation and audio sing-along. I never have a problem with the idea of singing “secular” songs in a faith context especially when that song is celebratory. Music and song are wonderful gifts from God as are our well-designed bodies. This book celebrates all of these and the beautiful diversity of our world. There are two other books with this title that I ran across. One calls itself the “Jungle Edition”. It incorporates jungle animals and what they might do to show their happiness. That book is by James Warhola. The other is more of a narrative that features this song. Animal characters talk about how they choose to sing it. This version is by Jan Ormerod and comes with a CD.

Publisher & Date of Publication:  Barefoot Books, 2009

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

# of Pages: 24

Available in Spanish? There are other picture books with Spanish versions of this song’s lyrics.

Formats other than Book: Audio download, Your book may include an enhanced CD with video animation and audio sing-along.

PBT Category: Song Book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: celebration/party, choir/music/singing/songs, culture, dance/dancing, difference, diversity, gladness/happiness, joy, variety

Scripture Connections: Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy (Psalm 47:1); this is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24); but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy… (Galatians 5:22); rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4); count it all joy (James 1:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Sing or read this song to your children when you want to celebrate and rejoice in the Lord!

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 272

Picture Book: You are Not My Friend, But I Miss You

Author & Illustrator: Daniel Kirk

Summary: This delightful story begins with a sock monkey being very upset because his friend, a plush toy dog, has taken sock monkey’s red ball and won’t share it. He declares, “You are not my friend! Friends are supposed to share.” He sneakily gets the ball back, but he finds that finding a new friend to enjoy his ball is not so easy nor is it fun to play ball by himself. As he begins missing his friend, he remembers that he didn’t share the ball either so he invites the toy dog to play again. As they share the ball, their friendship is revived and all is forgiven.

Hanna’s Comments: For very young children, the issue of sharing toys is crucial. While playing, toys are their world. The ability to take another’s point of view is still very immature, but it is growing so conversations about others' perspectives are important. Encouraging sharing, considering another’s perspective, and forgiving selfishness are all important lessons for all members of faith communities where those values are foundational to their Holy Scriptures.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: acceptance, anger, conflict, cooperation, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, friends/friendship, golden rule, greed/selfishness, judgment/judges/judging, perspective, play, possessions, self-reflection, regret/repentance, sharing, sin

Scripture Connections: You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15); if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will God forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15); why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not see the log that is in your own eye (Matthew 7:3)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are learning about forgiveness and generosity or to refrain from judging and stealing.