I Need to See a Whale
Now
and then life gets in the way of your delights. I’ve not posted for a while
because I promised myself that writing a post would be my reward only after I
applied to numerous jobs, the kind that will pay me money. Today we both get my
reward! It’s no surprise that I found just the perfect picture book to explain
my absence thanks to, of all places, a Kohl’s department store display. More
about that later.
Picture Book: If You Want to See a Whale
Author: Julie
Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin
E. Stead
Summary: This
delightful book is full of advice on how to look for a whale. “You will need a
window and an ocean.” AND Don’t look at "the ship that is sailing and the flag that is flapping.” There is not enough time to do the things you may want to
do like smell the roses or determine if the pelican is smiling because pelicans
and roses can never be a whale. Be sure to keep both eyes on the sea and wait
and wait and wait….
Hanna’s Comments: Among the many helpful suggestions when looking for a whale,
two struck home with me this month as I focused on applying for jobs. Whale-watching,
like job-hunting, takes “time for waiting and time for looking and time for
wondering ‘is that a whale?’” Is that the right job? Also, “possible pirates
(in the ship mentioned above) won’t help at all. Neither will watching movies
or reading novels. There are many wonderful things I could be doing instead,
but I just might miss that whale. The whale encounter at the end of the book is
(whale!) worth the wait! Sorry! I hope my new job will be as intriguing and
rewarding.
Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Roaring Brook Press,
2013
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: Fresh
off the Press, Award Winner
Scripture Connections: Seek first the kingdom of God and God’s
righteousness (Matthew 6:33); no one who puts his hand on the plow should look
back (Luke 9:62); Paul and Silas freed from jail (Acts 16:16-40); be
sober-minded; be watchful (1 Peter: 5:8)
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children who are learning about
Paul and Silas in jail. Here’s the connection: The folk song Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, popularized
in the American Civil Rights Movement, is based on an old spiritual Hand on the Plow which is all about Paul
and Silas being freed from prison. Here’s a Wikipedia link that explains: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Your_Eyes_on_the_Prize. If
you want to hear a great modern version of Keep
Your Eyes on the Prize, listen to one of my favorite
Christian singers, Sara Groves. It’s on her Invisible
Empires album.
Now
about that Kohl’s display…
I’m
pleased to tell you that if you have access to Kohl’s (on-line or a store) you
have the opportunity to purchase 4 great picture books (hardbacks for $5 each!)
while donating to local health and education initiatives. Kohl’s calls this
their “cause merchandise.” What I call it is a treasure trove! The books are
from one of my favorite illustrators, Erin E. Stead. Four cute plush animals
based on characters from the books are also available for $5 each. Kohl’s will
donate 100% of the net profit from these items toward local kid’s health and
education initiatives. Here’s a link if you want to know more. www.kohls.com/Kids
Two of these Erin Stead books are favorites so they are already in my A Picture Book a Day for a Year list. Both of these are the kinds of
picture book you could give to any child, as well as an adult who is hurting or
needs a laugh. Their potential for ministry is unending: (A Sick Day for Amos McGhee - PBT Day 9 on April 28, 2014 and Bear Has a Story to Tell – PBT Day 64 on
June 11, 2014). The third book is featured above. Here are the details and ideas for use for the
fourth book which I liked a lot!
Picture Book: and then it’s spring
Author: Julie
Fogliano
Illustrator: Erin
E. Stead
Summary:
After a snowy winter, a boy and dog begin to plant a garden. Colors begin as browns. Then the two characters do the
necessary work of planting, caring, and watching for their plans to come to fruition.
Waiting, anticipation, hope, and patience are emphasized here. Finally, colors
evolve from browns to wonderful greens.
Hanna’s Comments: This would be a particularly great book to read to children at
the end of winter, but it would also serve well for a group who has been
through a hard time or a long transition, adults or children. Connect the
required patience when waiting for changes in this book with the changes you
are anticipating in your group. Perhaps your faith community is hoping for a new leader
or the completion of a building project. Then turn your conversation around and
imagine how patient God must be while waiting for each of us to change.
Emphasize God’s love, mercy, patience, and constant hope as we resist positive
change.
Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Roaring Brook Press, 2012
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
# of Pages: 32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Audible
PBT Category: Fresh
off the Press, Award Winner
Scripture Connections: Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will
be established. (Proverbs 16:3); I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Idea(s) for Application: Besides the ideas in the comments above, consider
reading this book to a group who is doing some long-range planning. Anticipate
the difficult waiting and the inevitable doubts. Emphasize the importance of
your faith in God and in your ability to discern God’s good work toward your
goals.
Here are a few PBT Books you might want to consider and the date they were offered her on PBT:
