The Beatitudes: A Newer Context

Picture Book: The Beatitudes:                                                                                     From Slavery to Civil Rights

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrator: Tim Ladwig

Summary: This book begins with a paragraph explaining that much of the African American people’s struggle for freedom has been founded on biblical values and emboldened in a belief in God’s presence and desire for justice. 

The text then begins, “I am the Lord your God.” What follows are key moments and figures in chronological African-American history, some very specific and some more general, along with declarations of God’s presence with them. For instance:

I was with Harriet Tubman when she fled slavery.

As she led others out of bondage,

I was the star guiding them north.

Jesus’ words known as the Beatitudes are a running border at the bottom of each page and on the end papers, offering a newer context for these familiar sayings than in Jesus' time.  The book ends with a promise from God to be with “your offspring, standing on the side of justice.”

Hanna’s Comments: Today is Independence Day here in The States so this book seems particularly appropriate. The illustrations are marvelous. When reading this book to a group of children or adults, be sure to point out my 2 favorite illustrations. 

One has MLK’s image in the reflecting pool on the DC mall as 2 young girls (1 white, 1 black) hug with joy. My other favorite is on the title page. There you find a collection of key figures gathered together apparently in prayer. After reading the entire book, go back to this picture and have children identify the characters that they can, such as a slave, a soldier, Ruby Bridges, Marian Anderson, and others. 

Don’t let the fact that your church has no African-American members keep you from sharing this incredible book that declares God’s presence in crucial times in history.

Original Publisher & Date: Eerdmans, 2010

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 8 and up, 3^rd and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book when teaching a group of tweens, teens, or adults in your faith family about the Beatitudes.

PBT Redux Series #2

Here’s the second book I’m offering as a part of my PBT Redux Series in which I re-post (with a little editing) an earlier post about a particularly good picture book that was published in the last few years. The books in this series are treasures with so much potential for ministry! 

Picture Book: Beautiful Oops!

Author & Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg

Summary: Mistakes are celebrated in this interactive book full of folds, stains, holes, tears, tabs, drips, and even a paper wad. This picture book’s ingenious design has readers helping to transform the various mistakes into fun possibilities. The first pages declare that an “oops” (mistake) is just the beginning. Then we are encouraged to help the author find the potential in all sorts of oops, demonstrating that oops can be seen as wonderful opportunities.

Hanna’s Comments: Underneath the fun of this book are messages of grace, self-forgiveness, and hope. Although here the idea of transforming our mistakes is delivered with a clever and light tone, between the lines is encouragement to accept that our mistakes are inevitable and at times fun to alter. How we respond to our mistakes is what counts. Because this is a board book, you might want to demonstrate the story with some mistake-ridden artwork yourself. However, if you do this, be sure to give Barney Satzberg the credit he deserves. If your audience is able, allow them to make some mistakes and then transform them into something new. God’s grace and providence abound in this wonderful book.

Publisher & Date of Publication:  Workman, 2010

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

Formats other than Book: Youtube.com has a video of the author demonstrating the art concepts underlying the book which is mentioned but not read. There are also amateur readings of the book on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Post 2K

Scripture Connections and Idea(s) for Application: Grace is such a multifaceted and abstract concept. It’s hard for adults to comprehend, much less children. My husband wrote a summer arts camp curriculum for elementary children based on this book. He was able to connect 4 Bible Stories with 4 of this book’s categories of oops and then tell each story’s message of grace. Here they are: Joseph in the pit (hole), the Demoniac on the rocks (torn), the Prodigal Son with the pigs (stained), and Jesus’ tears of blood in the Garden (drip). Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about this curriculum. The kids loved it! 

I Love Chocolate!

Picture Book: Chocolate’s Dream

Author: Elisabet Blasco

Illustrator: Cha Coco

Summary: Chocolate is a dog whose owners abandoned him when he was no longer a cute puppy. After searching for food each day, he hides behind a fence and watches Sarah through a window. She is a young girl that he knows will one day be his friend. “All he needs is for Sarah to love him.” 

This dream is hopeful and gives him joy, but he is afraid to be seen. After hearing Chocolate’s sad story and his longing for companionship with Sarah, a bird intervenes. 

The bird begins singing so loudly that Sarah comes out to investigate and sees Chocolate. When Sarah and Chocolate lock eyes, their love seems meant to be. 

Chocolate’s hopes and dreams come true. He sleeps at the foot of Sarah’s bed each night, warm, comfortable and loved.    

Hanna’s Comments: There is so much pure emotion in this little book! That’s why it is so suited to Picture Book Theology. As I thought of Chocolate, I thought of how many people come to our places of worship hurt by their past, hopeful for connection, but unable to risk. 

That longing for relationship comes straight from God. This is why hospitality is such an important spiritual practice. I love the bird in this story too. He’s like my husband who has a gift for helping people make connections and find each other. Don’t fail to point out the bird’s good listening. It says “he had been listening carefully without saying a thing.” That’s really hard for many of us to do! All faith families need these kinds of people who listen, pay attention, see the longing in others, and then do a little non-romantic match making. What might come out of these pairings (joy, hope realized, long-term relationships, intimacy…) can be as sweet as chocolate!

Original Publisher & Date: Cuento de Luz, 2015 

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

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11); Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation (Romans 12:12); May the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace in believing… (Romans 15:13); Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2); Let us consider how to stir up on another to love… encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults who are being trained for an evangelism team, especially if your church is in a neighborhood where homeless people live. This book would also be a great book for a foster parent training event or to celebrate the adoption of an older child into a new family or faith family.