Choosing
Portions of a Picture Book
Today I offer the 2nd post
in a new PBT series about atypical methods for using picture books in ministry. I hope to stretch possibilities for you. If you have other ideas,
please share them in a comment!
Using only portions of a picture
book story or illustration is what I’m proposing today. When might you do this?
-When a picture book is too long. That
is the case of the book I feature below.
-When you are in the midst of a lesson
and you’re about to run out of time.
-When a small portion of a picture
book (a sub story, a particular scene, or an amazing illustration) is significantly
better than the rest of the book.
Picture Book: One
Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of WWII
Author & Illustrator: Lita
Judge
Summary: This beautiful book is about the author-illustrator’s
family who responded to suffering in Europe after WWII. Judge learned of this
story after discovering hundreds of tracings of feet in her grandparents’
attic. The old story, from a young girl’s point of view, begins with a letter
from friends in Germany who are starving.
Judge’s family sends food, clothes,
and shoes. In another letter, the recipients thank them, urge them to help
others, and include tracings of feet from 10 families.
More letters follow with
tracings of feet enclosed. Judge’s family asks others to help. They translate and mail the letters to friends who also respond generously with shoes that will fit, sometimes going
without shoes for the summer.
Meanwhile, socks are knitted and a rag doll is
sewn and sent.
The doll’s new owner sends a thank you with a photo of herself. Other
photos appear throughout this book as does beautiful collage.
The text is
divided into many small chapters highlighting themes that describe the poignancy
of many stories and the sacrifice of Judge’s family, friends, and neighbors.
Hanna’s Comments: This
picture book would be too much information for a group to hear all at once. Read
the first few pages and then pre-select the chapters and illustrations that
your audience will most likely respond to. I like to use Post-it Notes and
paper clips to mark pages. Consider inviting someone in your family of faith who remembers WWII to
come and be interviewed by you. Steer your questions to emphasize the Biblical
theme you have chosen to connect with this book. There are many possibilities. It's best to give
your guest the questions ahead of time. After the book is presented and your friend is interviewed, read your chosen scripture. Then close
with a prayer.
Original Publisher & Date: Hyperion, 2007
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and
up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Whoever is generous to the
poor lends to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17); when you serve the least, you serve
Jesus (Matthew 25); give to the needy (Luke 12: 33); Jesus washes his disciples’
feet (John 13:4-14).
Idea(s) for Application: Read portions of this book
during a lesson on generosity, responses to poverty, or Jesus washing his
disciples’ feet.
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