A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 188

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: The Golden Rule

Author: Ilene Cooper

Illustrator: Gabi Swiatowska

Summary: In this beautiful picture book, a grandchild sees a billboard with The Golden Rule written on it. He asks his grandfather about the rule and its meaning. Thus begins a lengthy conversation between the two about the rule’s history and meaning, including an explanation that many of the world’s major religions have this rule in their moral code. In the back you’ll find the original forms of The Golden Rule and their sources in the various holy books.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the first of a PBT Dynamic Duo about The Golden Rule. I especially like the Grandfather’s explanation when his grandson asks what the rule means and why it’s golden. The wise grandfather answers, “It means this: Treat people the way you would like to be treated. It’s golden because it’s so valuable, and a way of living your life that’s so simple, it shines.” When the boy considers how wonderful the world would be if everyone lived by The Golden Rule, his grandfather explains, ”It begins with you.”

Publisher & Date of Publication: Abrams Books, 2007

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present but there is a Berenstain Bears book about The Golden Rule that is in Spanish.

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, choices/decisions, communication, community, cooperation, emotions/feelings, ethics, golden rule/great commandment, goodness, kindness, the law/rules/10 commandments, neighbors, relationships, wisdom

Scripture Connections: The Golden Rule (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19)

Idea(s) for Application: This book would be a great source for a homeschool or private school lesson on The Golden Rule or Comparative Religion.