Illustration from Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell & David Catrow
The
3rd PBT theological statement for young children is: God gave you a
great body to do great things.
This
is probably my favorite of the 12 statements because the books that tap into
this idea cover such a wonderful range and are so encouraging to children. This
statement not only inspires children to use their bodies to do good work and
play. This statement is also about aspects of the brain such as learning, problem
solving, imagination, and creativity.
Again
I start with a Sandra Boynton book for very young children. Children are
fascinated with belly buttons, probably because they are so reachable and weird
looking. This fun book offers an opportunity celebrate an interesting aspect of
the bodies of humans and many other animals.
Be sure to tell children about the
important function of belly buttons and how they are a reminder of when we were
inside our mama’s bellies. Thanks be to God that our mama’s body was able to do
such a great thing: feed us while we were growing. What a wonderful design
and reminder God has given us!
Picture Book: Belly Button Book
Author & Illustrator: Sandra
Boynton
Original Publisher & Date: Workman,
2002
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2
and up
Formats other than Book: None
at present
The next book is a celebration of art in all its wondrous
varieties. Here you have young children engaging in painting, music, writing,
cooking, dancing, pottery, sewing, and performing. The double page spread at
the end is a theatrical culmination of the creative work the children have been
doing to demonstrate to an audience “When We Grow Up.”
This is a perfect book for a unit on careers that allows you
to open up the spiritual aspects of vocation. Don’t use those words, of course.
Simply talk to the children about how being made in the image of God means that
we get to be creators too. And God gives us a body (and brain) that encourages
our creativity and artistry in our good work as children and adults.
Picture Book: Think Big
Author: Liz
Garton Scanlon
Illustrator:
Vanessa Brantley Newton
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2012
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up
Formats
other than Book: None
at present
The next PBT offering is a
fun book about science! Children in an elementary classroom are given the
materials to participate in a Going
Places contest (similar to a soap box derby). Rafael and Maya, are next
door neighbors. Rafael follows the direction in the box, but Maya’s dreams
carry her literally outside the box to the possibility that her contraption
might fly. Rafael catches Maya’s dream and they work together. They win the
race in an amazing way that doesn’t quite fit with the laws of science, but
your children will love their dreaming. You’ll love the chance to talk about
how cooperation often leads to a better end. Encourage your children to
consider what God might want them to invent to make the world a better place.
Picture Book: Going Places
Author: Peter and Paul Reynolds
Illustrator: Peter Reynolds
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic,
2014
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4
and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
The
next offering is a twofer. The author and illustrator followed up the success
of the book pictured here with a male version: My Name is Not Alexander: Just How Big Can a Little Kid Dream? (2018 Update) Now available: Isabella: Girl on the Go and Isabella: Star of the Story.
No
matter which book you choose, you’ll delight in the imaginations of these children who refuse to answer to their own name because they are pretending to
be a famous person. Can you guess who Isabella becomes? Sally the astronaut,
Annie the sharpshooter, Rosa the activist, Marie the scientist, Elizabeth the
doctor, and Mommy the greatest Mommy ever. In the back of each book you’ll find
facts about each hero, including Mommy or Daddy!
Picture Book: My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?
Author: Jennifer Fosberry
Illustrator: Mike Litwin
Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic,
2008
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4
and up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Other PBT books that connect with links to posts:
Here are My Hands - 8/30/14
You’re Here for a Reason -
1/11/16
Have Fun Molly Lou Melon -
7/26/14
Lola Loves Stories - 4/22/14
Lion’s Lunch - 5/8/14
I Love You Nose, I Love
You Toes - 2/18/15
Extra Yarn - 5/31/14
The Little Engine That
Could - 4/20/14
Hands Say Love - 3/14/15
Planting a Rainbow - 9/5/14
The Curious Garden - 8/13/14
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