A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 171

Picture Book: Homes Around the World ABC: An Alphabet Book

Author: Amanda Doering

Consulting Editor: Gail Saunders-Smith

Summary: This alphabet book offers extraordinary photographs of a variety of homes across the globe. You’ll find “an apartment” for the letter A all the way to a “kibbutz” for the letter Z. A glossary, Fun Facts about Homes around the World, an index, and a list of websites are also provided in the back.

Hanna’s Comments: Now and then I choose a Nonfiction book that is not a story. I believe that part of our responsibility as teachers who are passing on our faith to children, is to expand their conceptual understanding, especially if this leads to a more global point of view. This book does that. There are plenty of times when the concept of home is mentioned in our Holy Scriptures. Think of stories of the Babylonian Exile or a parable like the prodigal son. It’s important for children to have a broadened concept of home because it ties today’s diverse humanity to the varied cultures of Biblical times. Strengthening those bonds leads to empathy and connection. Recently I've read a beautiful new picture book titled Home by Carson Ellis that I would recommend. It is more animated and magical than the one featured here. Consider using other non-fiction books that explore basic Biblical concepts when they crop up in your Bible stories. Some other examples are trees (see PBT offering # 102), storms, walls, or bread.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Capstone Press, 2005

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: There are videos on Youtube.com and elsewhere about homes around the world.

PBT Category: Nonfiction

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: comfort, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, diversity, family, home, humanity, safe place/sanctuary, safety, security

Scripture Connections: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15); the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. (Ezra 6:16); I will get up and go to my father (Luke 15:18a)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson for children about the Babylonian Exile. Emphasize why the Israelites were so tied to Jerusalem while expanding your listeners' concepts of home. Do some research on how homes would have looked in Babylonia and Jerusalem at that time.