Grab & Go #15 - Big Jabe

Below I've again featured a book from an earlier PBT post. The books in this series have such obvious connections to scripture that you can literally grab the book, read it to your audience, and then ask them what scripture connections they find. For children, you'll likely need to provide some prompting. 

Picture Book: Big Jabe
Author: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Summary: Addy, a young slave, discovers baby Jabe while fishing. Soon Big Jabe is huge & seems responsible for extraordinary, even magical feats. When the overseer blames other slaves for the changes, those slaves disappear, including Addy. Big Jabe moves on to other plantations continuing his work of lifting burdens in miraculous ways.
Hanna’s Comments: This author and this illustrator are two of my favorites! Their story is a tall tale with an American slavery context. There are at least 3 obvious connections with Bible stories and I'm not even counting the theme of slavery. It's an amazing but complicated and somewhat dark story that your children will love. There's a lot here to talk about, much of it biblical in nature.  

Publisher & Date of Publication: Amistad, 2005

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up
Formats other than Book: None at present
Scripture Connections: Moses in the basket (Exodus 2:1-10); slaves escaping (Exodus); loads of fish in the net (Luke 5:4-7); Peter & Silas have their chains loosened while in prison (Acts 12:6-11)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides a lesson at your church for elementary-aged children, teens, or adult, this book could enhance a fabulous homeschool or private school lesson on tall tales that would encourage some great Bible story reading.

PBT Redux #22 An Orange in January

I’m ending the PBT series on The Fruit of the Spirit with 3 re-posts. Here and on Friday I feature a secular book about fruit in general. Then I’ll re-post a sacred book about Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit. The book below is from the first year of PBT. To connect it to Galatians, have your audience consider the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit by finding a living metaphor for each of the stages in the orange's journey. 

Picture Book: An Orange in January

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Illustrator: Julie Maren

Summary: This is the story of one orange. It begins as a blossom in a land that glows with warm spring light. It ends across the world, in a young boy’s hands as he shares it with his school friends on a snowy playground. Across the distance, the orange offers its nectar to bees, ripens on a tree, and is picked and placed in a bag, then a basket, then a truck, then a grocery store, then a school lunchbox. At last, several children enjoy the sweet yummy goodness of the orange sections, even in January.

Hanna’s Comments: I am guilty of taking it for granted that an orange is available to me in the middle of winter. Use this book to help a young audience savor the beauty of an orange, appreciate the complexity of its route, and taste one of God’s great gifts. Talk about how an orange used to be a very rare treat and still is for many in our world who don’t have the means or accessibility to exotic or off-season foods. Mention the joy of sharing such delights and consider what other treats are worthy of further attention. Then relate these joys to savoring and praising God’s goodness in worship and all day long.

Original Publisher & Date: Dial Books, 2007

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8); The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children while sharing sections of oranges. Talk about savoring God’s goodness and the importance of praise and gratitude to God. OR Consider the orange's journey as a metaphor for the development of a particular Fruit of the Spirit.

December Holiday Books 1 & 2

Tis the season! Here are 2 very different books to start your December. The first is a tale of waiting, the primary theme of Advent. Your audience will better appreciate live Christmas trees when they realize the time, risk and work that is involved in bringing a live tree into your home or church. 

The second book is unusual although I can’t imagine why. It is a picture book/song book hybrid, perfect for leading a small group in some familiar carols or for some bedtime singing with young children. Enjoy these Christmas treasures.

Picture Book: Christmas Farm

Author: Mary Lyn Ray

Illustrator: Barry Root

Summary: This story begins with a farmer, Wilma, making a decision to invest in a Christmas tree crop, rather than growing flowers. 

This is a risk and will be a lot of hard work and years before she reaps the fruits of her labors. 

She will need many things to make this change. She orders 62 dozen small trees.  

Then she asks her young neighbor, Parker, to help her. Parker is 5 years old, just like the trees that have been ordered. The work and waiting begins. 

They must mark the rows. 

The trees arrive and are planted. Parker asks if they'll be ready for Christmas.

Wilma explains that the trees must grow through many seasons. Over the many months of work, Parker tells the trees about Christmas. Wilma purchases a tractor which Parker loves. 

It becomes apparent that farming is a numbers game. Some of the trees are lost to animals and weather, but most survive and profits are still expected.

The story continues with Wilma working hard and learning how to keep the trees healthy, 

while Parker helps out when he can. Like the birds the trees attract, Parker enjoys the crop and thinks of their possibilities for Christmas. 

Problems arise, but most of the trees survive. 

The summer Parker and the trees are 9, the trees must be shaped. Wilma and Parker work hard together. 

As the harvest season approaches, Wilma purchases tags and together she and Parker prepare the shed for customers, hoping they will come. 

Once Christmas approaches, they do come! The work of selling and all that it entails begins. They must cut, carry, and sled the trees while making transactions. A family with a Christmas tree lot in the city, buy a truck load of trees. 

Wilma and Parker choose their own trees. Only 29 trees are left. Parker assures them that they will grow even taller for those families next year who want a huge tree. 

 

Wilma and Parker choose trees for their homes and like knowing that 563 trees are in their community all dressed with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. There balsam smell is delighting families in near and far places. Meanwhile, tiny sprouts from the first trees might become new trees.

Once Christmas is over, Wilma and Parker must plan for a new crop of trees. Wilma places an order for 83 dozen new trees to plant for spring and for new Christmases to come.

Hanna’s Comments: My summary above doesn't do justice to the amount of work and the numbers that are emphasized in this story. It is a tribute to farmers, who risk for the benefit of us all. This picture book is not just a story about work and waiting, but also a story of faith, hope, and love which are all themes of the season. In the back of this book you'll find more information about growing Christmas trees. 

Original Publisher & Date: HMH, 2013

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

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in God’s word I hope. (Psalm 130:5); A voice cries in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3); They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children or adults and talk about preparing and waiting for Christmas. Reading this book before decorating your tree would be perfect!

Picture Book: The Carolers

Author & Illustrator: Georgia Guback 

Summary: In this picture book, there are musical scores and first verse lyrics for some of the most well-known Christmas carols:

O Come All Ye Faithful

O Little Town of Bethlehem

The First Noel

Away in a Manger

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

We Three Kings of Orient Are

Silent Night

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

What Child is This?

Joy to the World!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Images of carolers fill the pages as they sing for various homes and even live demonstrations of the Christmas story.

Hanna’s Comments: There are not many copies of this book on Amazon which is surprising to me. What better way to engage your children in singing favorite Christmas carols than with a picture book! I looked for similar publications, but had no luck so if you like this book, I suggest you get a copy now before the price is extreme. This picture book offers the opportunity to talk with your children about your relationships with these songs and how they have influenced your faith in and hopes for Christmas. After singing, share some stories from your childhood of caroling or hymn singing. 

Original Publisher & Date: Greenwillow Bks, 1992

Age & Grade Appropriateness: If an adult is leading the singing and limiting the number of carols sung, this book is appropriate for any-aged child.

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Sing to God. Sing praises to God. Tell of God’s wondrous works! (Psalm 105:2); Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Read then sing this book to children in a small group at church, a church school, or in your home. 

PBT Series: Picture Book Classics #2

Here’s another one of my early posts that is worth sharing again. This little book is a treasure! It’s been in print for over 70 years and is typically read to very young children. In the post below, I suggest you consider a broader audience and give your faith family a chance to see the connections between this little guy's faith in a carrot seed and their own faith.  

Picture Book: The Carrot Seed

Author: Ruth Krauss

Illustrator: Crockett Johnson

Summary: This classic has a simple story but a powerful message about a lone boy’s faith in a carrot seed, which he planted and nurtures despite family members saying repeatedly, “It won’t come up.” Eventually the greens pop above the soil’s surface. Then the boy pulls a huge carrot out of the ground and loads it onto a wheel barrow. I wonder if he shared the carrot with his family. Ask your audience!

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book classic has a simple message of faith and nurturing that is universal and timeless. I think it should be in every toddler and preschooler’s library. Certainly it should be in your faith community’s nursery, preschool rooms, and community-wide library. Don't limit it's audience to just little ones. With elementary children and adults, use it as an intro. to a talk about naysayers and critics of faith and hope. Emphasize patience! Discuss the concept of tending your own personal faith like the boy nurtured his carrot seed. Point out that the carrot seed might have died had the boy not been so faithful to it. Ask: “What are some ways we “water” and “weed” our faith gardens?” Offer more personal examples of your faith practices. You might even describe your faith garden. Where is the beauty? What are the pests? How do you harvest and what do you glean from your faith garden?

You'll find a similar book with a more complicated plot and more text in a book by Pat Brisson and Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Wanda's Roses highlights a girl's determination to nurture a thorn bush in a vacant lot. She is sure it is a rose bush. She, and eventually some neighbors, clean up the lot. Through her many days of faithful hard work, Wanda keeps saying to naysayers the lot will be filled with roses. Wanda is right!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper & Row, 1945

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

Formats other than Book: There are several videos to choose from including “Uncle Wally” Amos reading this book as a part of the Read it Loud library program on Youtube.com, Audio cassette

Scripture Connections: Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:8); If you have faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) 

Idea(s) for Application: Because the concept of faith is so abstract, children (and sometimes adults) have difficulty understanding it. This little book offers a delightfully simple, but profound explanation of faith that is easy to relate to. Read this book in a Sunday school or other small group context and explore the concept of faith and how to "tend" and "nurture" it. 

Harvesting Hospitality & Generosity

Picture Book: If You Plant a Seed

Author & Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Summary: This beautiful picture book is made fabulous by pairing a simple tale with stunning illustrations. 

Nelson begins with a simple situation: tomato, carrot, and cabbage seeds are planted by a rabbit and a mouse. 

While giving their garden loving attention, 

they patiently wait while their harvest grows and grows. 

They are delighted by their harvest 

and savor their crops 

until some neighbors drop by. 

They're not particularly subtle about what they want. 

Like the seeds before, their selfishness grows and grows 

 “into a heap of trouble” and mess.

Eventually Mouse reconsiders 

and then decides to plant another kind of seed, a seed of kindness. 

Suddenly, more friends come but this time 

they don’t bring just their desires, they bring fruits of kindness in the form of showers of flower seeds which also grow

and grow while all patiently tend and wait, forming a community.

All the fruits are sweet and beautiful, 

 especially the kindness and the community.

Hanna’s Comments: I just read in Anne Lamott’s new book Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy: “God is the welcome and the welcomers” says a priest she knows. So true! Hospitality and generosity are holy acts, commands from the Hebrew scriptures and fruits of The Holy Spirit in The New Testament. In this big beautiful book, these holy endeavors bring about a surprising level of joy and communion as parts of the tasty harvest. Kadir Nelson is responsible for the illustrations (and sometimes the words too) in some of my favorite PBT books. Check out Nelson Mandela [here], Henry’s Freedom Box [here], and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands [here].

Original Publisher & Date: Balzer & Bray, 2015

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Treat the stranger as the native among you (Leviticus 19:34); Show hospitality to one another (Hebrews 13:2 & 1 Peter 4:9); listing of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of preschoolers or young elementary students in a lesson on kindness, generosity, and hospitality as faithful practices and fruits of The Holy Spirit. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 364

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: The Boy Who Changed the World     

Author: Andy Andrews

Illustrator: Philip Hurst

Summary: Nobel laureate, Norman Borlaug, saved the lives of more than two billion people when he developed seeds that grew into super plants that were more hearty and potent. His fascination with agriculture began when he was a young boy in Iowa. In reverse chronology, three other individuals are highlighted here because their influences greatly affected Borlaug’s work. Henry Wallace was the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who asked Borlaug to do his research with seeds. George Washington Carver, well known plant pioneer, was a student of Henry Wallace’s father. While in school, Carver, roamed the fields and forests of Iowa with young Henry, teaching him about plants. Moses Carver, the adoptive father to the famous scientist, saved young George from the raid in which George’s biological parents were killed. The book ends by explaining the Butterfly Effect.

Hanna’s Comments: My summary above is somewhat dry and confusing. In contrast, the author deftly connects these 4 men in a way that makes the point repeatedly that daily choices can make a positive difference in the world, even the choices that kids make. Note that this book has been published with 2 titles: The Boy Who… and The Kid Who….  This picture book is based on the author’s popular book for adults, The Butterfly Effect.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010

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

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet, I could find no video of this book. On Youtube.com, there is a quick promo about the book done by the author. You will also find a short video about 7 children who changed the world. Here’s that link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpm5uNpideo  

PBT Category: Biography, Non-fiction, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abilities, America, children, beginnings/morning, bonds/connections, call/calling/vocation, choices/decision, communication, consequences/punishment, creation, dependence/interdependence, discovery/invention, eggs/seeds, encouragement, the environment/nature, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, gifts/talents, harvest, heroes, labor/work, leadership/servant leadership, legacies, mentors/teachers, nurturing, power, relationships, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Be transformed by the renewal of your mind so that you may discern the will of God (Romans 12:2b); having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:6); whatever is true, whatever is honorable… think on these things (Philippians 4:8-9); encourage one another and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in your faith family who are learning about how their choices can influence the world in positive ways. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 349

Picture Book: A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope

Author & Illustrator: Michael Foreman 

Summary: A barbed wire fence divides a boy’s ruined community from a group of soldiers and their city. He finds a small plant emerging from the rubble and is determined to help it survive. It is a grape vine that thrives in his care, tendrils climbing the fence while the soldiers watch. Children begin playing there, as well as birds and butterflies. Once it’s large, the soldiers pull the vine out of the soil and leave it in a ditch on their side of the fence to rot. Winter comes; the boy and his family survive, and so does the vine, for it had scattered its seeds all along the fence, but the plants would have to survive on their own for the boy could not reach them. Soon he sees a young girl tending the shoots in the ditch. New shoots appear on his side too so he yells for the girl to come see. Each child tends their garden and soon their vines become entwined. Birds, butterflies, and children return and the boy concludes that despite the soldiers, the vine’s roots are deep, seeds will spread, hope remains, and the fence will eventually disappear so the children may play in freedom again.

Hanna’s Comments: This parable of war is about relationships built on hope and work. Metaphors abound here. Don’t limit your discussion to issues of war and peace, though they are prominent. Talk about how trust and civility, between two people or nations, is hard and easily deterred when circumstances are difficult. Consider how human relationships can survive despite the damage of selfishness, hurtful words, scarcity, and even violence. Connect this story to any verses in our Holy Scriptures having to do with forgiveness, grace, hope, faithfulness, freedom, resurrection, or even evangelism.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Candlewick Press, 2009

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Video on Youtube.com 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, adaptation/assimilation, babies/children, beauty, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression, caring/tending, care of creation, commitment, conflict, enemies, the environment/nature, evangelism, exile/separation/walls, faith/faithfulness, forgiveness/mercy/redemption, freedom, fruit of the Spirit, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, God’s nature, grace, harvest, home, hope, image of God, labor/work, land/mountains/soil, neighbors, nurturing, pacifism/peace/peacemakers, passion, steadfastness, transformation, violence, war/war veterans, water

Scripture Connections: … and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6); for I know the plans I have for you…plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11); the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37); one who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much (Luke 16:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this powerful parable to a group of children, youth, or adults who are talking about issues of peace, war, forgiveness, freedom, grace, hope, faithfulness, resurrection, or evangelism. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 331

Picture Book: A Bucket of Blessings

Author: Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal

Illustrator: Jing Jing Tsong

Summary:  Due to drought, the village well and pond have gone dry so the animals are suffering as they look for water. Monkey remembers a story about how peacock dancing can bring on rain. He climbs the mountain to request this of Peacock, but Peacock needs some water to make it rain. Monkey continues searching for water. In a cave, he finds a hidden spring. He fills a bucket, but he doesn’t realize it leaks. As Monkey climbs to Peacock, he is greeted by animals who are excited about the water he has found. They do not tell him of the leak, but they enjoy the water trail he leaves behind. Upon reaching Peacock, Monkey is surprised and disappointed to see that the bucket is almost empty. “This leaky bucket is cursed!” he says. Peacock tells him to look behind him. Monkey sees that the water has transformed the path he has trod. Peacock believes that if Monkey can make flowers bloom with just a few drops, then a rain dance just might work. Monkey pours the drops of water on Peacock’s head. Peacock dances. Monkey hopes. Then clouds form and rain begins to fall. Peacock exclaims, “That leaky bucket of yours… it was a blessing to us all!”

Hanna’s Comments: I have heard the heart of this story used in a few sermons. It is a powerful message about the positive effects we can have even when we are broken and unaware of our influences. It is also a story of perseverance and hope that can be connected to many of our Holy Scriptures. In the back you’ll find an Afterward by Dr. Maya Angelou who states that in this book, “The reader is shown that it is a blessing to be a blessing.” In the Authors’ Note the symbolism of the peacock in India and Hindu mythology is explained. Below I connected this story to 2 Old Testament stories and the concept of baptism. I also thought of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. One potentially powerful aspect of the Ethiopian story is that tradition holds (It may not be true but the story has been passed down over the centuries.) that the Ethiopian did take Christianity back to his home country where it flourished. It is fact that the Christian Church was established in Ethiopia relatively early, and the Ethiopian Christian Church’s official origin is grounded in this ancient story.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Beach Lane Books, 2014

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present 

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press, Traditional Tale

PBT Topics this Book connects with: action, Asia, baptism/cleanliness/washing, blessings, challenges, dance/dancing, difficulties, drink/thirst, drought, flowers/leaves/trees, found, goodness, harvest, helping, hope,  journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, labor/work, legacies, legends/myths, miracles, perseverance, rain, survival, transformation, water, weather

Scripture Connections: Manna given to the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16); Moses strikes a rock for water (Exodus 17:6); Philip transforms the life of the Ethiopian with scripture and baptism (Acts 8:26-39); the concept of baptism

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to a group of children in a lesson about the concept of being blessed to be a blessing or the transformation that water can bring. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 320

Picture Book: The Lorax

Author & Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Summary: This ecological story begins with a boy wandering onto The Street of the Lifted Lorax. The boy wonders, "What was the Lorax? Why was it lifted?" The old Once-ler who lives nearby knows. Back when the grass was green and the sky was clean, the beautiful Truffula Trees grew. When the Once-ler arrived, he was thrilled by the trees. They met all of his needs for making his Thneeds. When the first tree was chopped down, a creature crawled out of the Truffula’s trunk claiming he was the Lorax who spoke for the trees. The Lorax begged the Once-ler not to cut down any more trees, but the Once-ler ignored him. The trees came down swiftly, and the animals departed. The Once-ler responded to the Lorax, “Business is business! And Business must grow.” The Lorax returned to complain about the smog and polluted pond just as the last Truffula tree fell. The Lorax lifted himself into the sky and departed, but not before leaving behind a pile of stones on which he had written, “Unless.” "What does it mean?" the boy asks. The Once-ler responds, “Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Then he gives the boy the last Truffula seed and urges him to plant it and protect it. Perhaps the Lorax and the animals will come back.

Hanna’s Comments: When unpacking this story with children, you’ll need to help them understand how this book does and does not reflect your present reality. Steer the conversation away from a simplified view. Yes, there are people who do terrible damage to the environment in order to sell a product, but there are some safeguards in place that often work.  People do need jobs and products. Consider alternate ways the Once-ler might have begun his business, ways that were more sustainable and respectful to the environment. Then talk about how God created humans to solve problems not create them, although too often it seems that problems are inevitable. Talk about your audience’s role in protecting and improving your environment now and in the future. You might even want to get into the difficult subject of humans having dominion over the other creatures as specified in Genesis. Please note the length of this book.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Random House, 1971

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 72

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio, A video is available on Youtube.com and there is a feature length animated version that I would recommend. Also, Random House has created a website full of Dr. Seuss activities and information. Here’s the link: www.seussville.com.

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, abuse/abuse of power, action, beauty, brokenness, care of creation, change, choices/decisions, consequences, consumerism/consumption/riches, creation, death, eggs/seeds, the environment/nature, flowers/leaves/trees, greed/selfishness, guilt, harvest, hope, humanity, mistakes, money, pollution, power, protecting/protection, reverence, sacrifice, sin

Scripture Connections: God created the earth and its creatures. Humans were made in God’s image and were given dominion over the other creatures (Genesis 1:24-26); ask the beasts, and they will teach you (Job 12:7)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children who are concerned about how humans are negatively affecting God’s creation. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 288

Picture Book: Max’s Magic Seeds

Author: Geraldine Elschner

Illustrator: Jean-Pierre Corderoch

Summary: At his birthday party, Max is anxiously awaiting his uncle’s arrival. His uncle is always late, but Max doesn’t mind since he receives the funniest gift from Uncle Bill who is a botanist. Upon arrival, Uncle Bill sneaks a huge bag of seeds out of his vehicle and tells Max to secretly scatter the seeds as he walks to and from school so that Max’s walk to school will become more interesting. Max, who doesn’t like going to school, does as Uncle Bill suggests. Soon Max’s path to school, classroom, attitude toward school, and even his town are transformed. Max assumes his role in the town’s beautification is unknown, until then the town wins “The Power of Flowers” contest. Everyone gathers for the celebration, and Max is surprised to be honored as the town’s flower magician. How was his role discovered? The officials simply followed the path of beautiful flowers to Max’s house.

Hanna’s Comments: Seeds offer such rich potential for theological conversation, especially with children who are growing and changing themselves. In this story, seeds transform not only a town but Max’s attitude toward school and his relationships there. Talk about transformation as you read this story and encourage your listeners to consider how they might secretly encourage some transformation along their daily paths or engage in random acts of kindness and watch for the results. This book could also connect with ideas of incidental evangelism or subtle witnessing with the good that we do.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Penguin, 2007

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Post 2K  

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, action, beauty, blessings, change, eggs/seeds, encouragement, the environment/nature, evangelism, flowers/leaves/trees, gardening/planting/pruning/sowing, gifts/giftedness/talents, harvest, mystery, neighborhood, power, secrets, surprise, transformation, witness

Scripture Connections: Parable of the Sower/Four soils (Luke 8:4-15); it is more blessed to give then to receive (Acts 20:35)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to children and talk about how God encourages our random acts of kindness and how they can be transformative to the receivers and the giver.