A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 174

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: Jubilee

Author: Ellen Yeomans

Illustrator: Tim Ladwig

Summary: The most glorious of picnics is the subject of this beautiful book in verse. It begins with an invitation to “Take back roads and backwoods and wonder on down….” Eventually you find yourself welcomed with an affectionate back slap by young, old, and in between of all races who are delighted to have you join them at the jubilee. All are family at this reunion! There’s delightful music, dancing, games and of course, delicious food and drink. Maybe this is an anniversary celebration. That’s one meaning of “jubilee.” Maybe it’s a vision of heaven. Or Maybe it’s an exploration of an American version of the concept of Jubilee in the Hebrew Scriptures (Leviticus 25:8-13) when every 50 years, land is dispersed evenly, debts are forgiven, slaves are freed, and God’s mercy is ample and ever present. This book ends with, “So call ‘em all cousins and come on along - all joy is to be - Jubilee.”

Hanna’s Comments: I have always been intrigued by the concept of the Year of Jubilee in the Hebrew Scriptures. I was pleased to find 2 picture books, this week’s PBT Dynamic Duo, that are both titled Jubilee. There is a third that I was unable to find in my library system. It is Jubilee: One Man’s Big, Bold and Very Loud Celebration of Peace. It is about the 1869 National Peace Jubilee, a post-American Civil War extravaganza.  Of these three, the picture book offered today is most closely tied to the Old Testament concept of Jubilee.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Eerdman’s Publishing Co., 2004

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: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, celebration/party, community, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, gratitude/thankfulness/thanksgiving, heaven/sky, joy, jubilee, manna, sharing

Scripture Connections: You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land (Leviticus 25:8-13)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to introduce the concept of the Biblical Year of Jubilee to children in your church or synagogue.