Another PBT God Book! What does that mean?

A PBT God book is different from most books featured here. In 2014, I created PBT to tell you about secular books in local libraries and elsewhere that could be treasures for ministry. PBT picture books would keep church curriculum costs down, lead to more topical and visual diversity, and get rich relatable material into the hands of all ages in churches, church-based schools, and homes. I hope you and your settings have benefitted from my work!

In 2014, I knew I would also feature some non-secular books, like Old Turtle, that were what I considered exceptional God Books. Its sequels are here and also here. 

Put simply, PBT God Books are picture books about the nature of God, some overtly so, like these 3 from Karma Wilson and some more subtly, like this reframing of The Giving Tree. But I had no idea how many fabulous God books (and frankly, bad God books) were available! I hoped PBT would help you find the best God books. Right now, there are over 100 here at PBT, sometimes more than 1 in a post. Type “God Book” in the search box in the upper right corner or go to the "God Book" search label that's low in the web version’s format.  

I could easily tell you about many more God Books, and I will! Here’s one I especially love:

Picture Book: Picturing God

Author/Illustrator: Ruth Goring

Summary: In simple language and mixed-media images, Ruth Goring offers a rich spiritual experience for any age. She offers 16 metaphors for God straight from the Bible. Jesus and the Spirit are mentioned as well. 

Hanna’s Comments: There is so much excellent content here that you could use this book for a series of lessons and discuss only a few pages at a time. Then you could have some fun making mixed-media art! My favorite double-page spread won't show well here. It shows 2 dark-skinned children in a dark wood walking along a stone path. The text: 

When we don't know where to go, 

God's light shines on our path 

and leads us home. 

Original Publisher: Beaming Books, 2019

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: This wonderful book has a very helpful list in the back of nearly 40 scriptures that correspond to the book's images! 

Connections to The Revised Common Lectionary: In my Trinity Treasures lectionary-based curriculum for preschoolers, I recommend this book for lessons on God as a rock & cornerstone, God being like a parent, God's Goodness, and The Trinity: Our Helper.

PBT Applications: This would be an excellent book to read to teens or adults. Before showing the book, give drawing materials. Ask participants to draw how they imagined God when they were children. Then ask for volunteers to show &/or tell about their drawings. I was once in a group with my new husband when we were given this task. I was delighted with his image of God on top of the hood of his family's car! I had not yet heard that story!

If you are interested in learning about Trinity Treasures, a scripture-based preschool Sunday school curriculum that features picture books & children’s Bibles, contact me at hannaschock@bellsouth.net. Right now, free lessons are emailed if you fill out the monthly feedback form.