There is an astounding range of topics and tones in the 500 or so picture books here at PBT. Today I offer 2 books, 1 secular and 1 sacred, which are very different. Each offers a rich experience for ministry or
family/classroom reflection this time of year.
Author: Jory John
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Summary: This hilarious book celebrates the grumps in our
lives through the scornful perspective of a lone penguin who complains and
complains about his life. His beak is too cold. He hates snow. The fish won’t
jump out of the water. The ocean smells too salty. Everyone looks the same
which makes finding Mom and Dad impossible. The ironic complaints and their clever illustrations continue for pages and pages. When penguin declares, “I have
so many problems!” a wise walrus offers wisdom. Here's a summary:
Notice the beauty.
Be thankful for all; they
adore you.
We all have difficult
moments.
Know that you are exactly
where you need to be.
Penguin’s initial response is not particularly appreciative,
“Who the heck was that guy?! Why do strangers always talk to me?” but then he
notices the mountains and admits the walrus might have a point.
Hanna’s Comments: I
passed this book on to my husband to read saying this PBT post was inspired by him.
Bill is my personal Christmas Grinch. He was laughing within the first few
pages. Thanks to Bill, I see the potential for using this book during the
December holidays. Underlying this penguin’s attitude is a lack of gratitude
and a sense of despair. Both feelings (in children or adults) are worth
addressing this time of year. If you can make their new perspective a faithful
one, even better.
Original Publisher & Date: Random House, 2016
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and
up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: Scriptures about gratitude
and Joy (Psalm 118:24 & 136:1, Romans, 12:12 & 15:13, Eph. 1:16, Phil.
4:4, Col. 3:17, 1 Thess. 5:18, James 1:2 & 17)
Idea(s) for Application: Any time of year, read this book to a group
of children, youth, or adults in a lesson on how gratitude leads to joy.
Author: Anne Booth
Illustrator: Sam Usher
Summary: From the point of view of the donkey which carried
Mary to Bethlehem, this dark story for children focuses on the refugee status
of the nativity family. I was especially moved by this part:
…we left some gold for the
innkeeper for he had been good to us when others had not. And we set off, under
star light, through empty streets, while people were sleeping, hoping for the
kindness of strangers. Again.
They do find refuge in Egpyt. The last illustration is of them
being served at table.
Hanna’s Comments: We can only hope that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were greeted
with a spiritual practice of hospitality. Many refugees are not. You might want
to consider reading this book at a post-Christmas gathering. Talk about the
plight of refugees. If this is too dark a subject for your children, then talk
about God’s desire for us to show hospitality and what that looks like at
church, home, and in classrooms. When I was a child, I was struck by the 1879
painting Rest on the Flight into Egypt
by Luc-Oliver Merson. View it [here] and consider showing it to your children.
This painting helped me better understand this important scripture story, and I imagined the journey more vividly.
Original Publisher & Date: Little, Brown, & C0.,
2015
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and
up, Pre and up
Formats other than Book: Tablet
Scripture Connections: Matthew 2:13-23
Idea(s) for Application: Read this book after
Christmas to help your audience understand that Jesus’ birth and early years
were difficult and dependent on the kindness of many strangers.
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