Journeying with an Idea

 Picture Book: What Do You Do with an Idea?

Author: Kobi Yamada

Illustrator: Mae Besom

Summary: “One day I had an idea,” begins this intriguing book. 

The idea, represented by this character, is fun to watch. 

The child struggles with what to do with the idea. 

Avoid it? Deny its existence? 

Be confused by it? Worry about what others will think? 

Feel ashamed of it? Risk feeding it? Play with it? 

Give it lots of attention? Show it to others? Claim it?

Give up on it? Abandon it? 

With each possibility, an illustration gives you much to consider. 

As the child attends to the idea, it grows and transforms. 

It’s influence on the child becomes obvious. The child says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without it.” 

Eventually the idea transforms in a big way. 

Taking flight, its no longer just a part of the child but a part of everything. 

Hanna’s Comments: I see 2 different approaches when using this book in ministry. The 1st is inspired by Anne Lamott’s conversion experience described in Traveling Mercies. In her gritty writing, Lamott describes Jesus as a little kitten that follows her for days. Eventually with very colorful language, she tells the cat it can enter her home. In this context “the idea” is a new step in faith. 

Biblical connections abound; think Abraham, Hannah, or Paul.  My 2nd approach is inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic in which she personifies her creative ideas (& fears). How does this connect with scripture? There are numerous stories in which characters’ inspirations grow (Esther, The Magi),

some more other-worldly than others (The Men Walking to Emmaus, Philip & the Ethiopian, Peter’s Tablecloth Dream). This book is so rich with meaning; look for it in my PBT Grab & Go Series eventually. First have your audience think of an idea they once had. 

Read the book without showing the illustrations. Then discuss personal connections. Read it again, while showing and relating the illustrations to their own idea journeys. 

If they don’t give their comments a spiritual framing, you do that. Relate the book and/or their comments to one of the Bible stories listed below or ask for their own connections to scripture. There is now a sequel to this fun book, What Do You Do with a Problem? I’ll post about it after the holidays. Yay!

Original Publisher & Date: Compendium, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections:  Abraham’s conversion, Hannah’s prayer for a child, Esther’s choice to approach the king, The Magi's journey to Bethlehem, Men Walking to Emmaus, Paul’s conversion, Philip & the Ethiopian, Peter’s Tablecloth Dream, etc.

Idea(s) for Application: Read the story to a group of teenagers who are trying to discern post-high school decisions or a group of entrepreneurs who are exploring a vocation.

Faith Based Resilience

Picture Book: The Hugging Tree:                                                                     A Story about Resilience

Author: Jill Neimark

Illustrator: Nicole Wong

Summary: This book is a poetic story about The Lone Cypress, a world-famous tree and tourist attraction in California. 

But it is much more than that. The author offers a rich consideration of this tree being a symbol of resilience. 

She begins with an entire page that does my work for me. 

She explains the concept of resilience and connects this book to The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. You’ll find my post about that classic [here]. 

Because the tree is personified in the story, there is struggle and relationship. 

As you would expect, the tree grows, suffers through bad weather, 

clings to the its rock, offers beauty, creates a home for others, and endures despite its circumstances.

You’ll also find in the back a very thorough and helpful Note to Parents and Caregivers written by Dr. Elizabeth McCallum. Note that there is another picture book by this name.

Hanna’s Comments: As a school psychologist, I have been fascinated by the research on resilience. In my work, I have not only connected the research to children but to adults and even congregations. Don’t limit your use of this book to children or teachers. Having faith based programming about what makes a child, adult, or congregation more resilient can have long-lasting results and encourage the good outcomes that resilience offers. There is much overlap with the resilience research and faithful ideas. For instance, in this book you see a community quickly surrounding and helping the tree. There’s the rock, the moon, birds, and a boy. 

These characters make strong connections with the tree. 

Having empathy and making meaningful connections are central to resilience just as they are central to a well-functioning family of faith. 

Be sure to show your audience an actual photo of The Lone Cypress which can be found easily on-line [here]. If you need more reasons to read this book to others, note that the publisher is The American Psychological Association. Here’s a warning: I found reading this book awkward. The poetry is tricky. You may choose to read it as a story rather than trying to figure out the meter and rhyme scheme. Either way, practice before you have an audience. The book is worth the effort!

Original Publisher & Date: Magination Press, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); suffering produces endurance… (Romans 5:3-5); in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37); Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10); God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love… (2 Timothy 1:7); count it all joy (James 1:2-4)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson about resilience to a faith based, adult small group that is concerned about their future together.

Water, Come Closer!

Picture Book: The Water Princess

Author: Susan Verde

Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Summary: This story is based on the childhood experiences of Georgie Badiel, fashion model born in Burkina Faso.

A young African girl, Gie Gie, who is called Princess by her parents, longs for the ability to summon water. 

Despite her dancing, contorting, and pleas for the water to come closer, no water comes. 

Instead, every morning she reluctantly gets out of bed 

and walks with her mother a very long way to get water. 

Half way there, they stop for some nuts under a gorgeous tree. Upon arrival, she plays with her friends, while her mother stands in line. When they fill their containers, they can’t drink the water because it is dirty.

Finally, heavy pots are placed on their heads for the long and careful trek back. Once home, the water is boiled. Then Gie Gie gulps a refreshing and energizing drink of water. 

When her beloved father returns from the fields, their evening meal has been cooked thanks to the water they gathered. 

Later, clothes and body are washed so that Gie Gie can delight in her cleanliness. 

Dreading the next early morning rise to walk for water, Gie Gie asks her mother why getting water is so hard. 

Her mother replies, “Someday you will find a way, my Princess. Someday.”

Hanna’s Comments: Perhaps through her success and in collaboration with a charity called Ryan’s Well, Georgie Badiel has fulfilled her mother’s prophesy. Badiel is finding a way to bring water to the drought-ridden villages of her home country. 

More details and photos are found in the back along with links to Ryan’s Well and the Georgie Badiel Foundation who are working together to encourage better access to clean water in Burkina Faso and beyond. 

This book reminds me of another PBT offering that you might like as well. Find my post about Come On Rain! by Karen Hesse [here].

Original Publisher & Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: They shall not hunger or thirst…, for one who has pity on them will lead them by springs of water (Isaiah 49:10); Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6); Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of water will not lose a reward (Matthew 10:42); Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or adults who are learning about issues of access to clean water, activists who improve access to water, “thirsting for righteousness” through activism, or Biblical concepts of prophesy and vocation.