A Ball for Daisy

Title of Book:  A Ball for Daisy

Author/Illustrator:  Chris Raschka

Publisher:  Schwartz and Wade Books

ISBN:  978-0-375-85861-1

Audience:  Ages 3 and up

Summary:  This is a story told all in pictures about a dog and the ball she loves.  This story, told solely in pictures, uses the illustrations to tell a story that may have been over simplified if words were used.  The illustrations are done in what might first appear as childish paintings or even finger paint.  The broad strokes make it easy to read Daisy’s emotions as they change with every turn of the page.  This title won the 2012 Caldecott Award for best illustrated children’s book.

Theological Partners for Conversation: Daisy teaches us a simple and timeless lesson about sharing, while also retelling the principles given to us in Luke 6:31.  All children, it seems, are taught from an early age to share.  It is something that is not easily learned for those of us who had fewer instances where sharing was even an issue, like us only children.  Daisy doesn’t think she has to share.  Unfortunately, during a trip to the park, another dog doesn’t give her the option and chooses to play with her ball too.  As a result, Daisy uses poor judgment that ends up costing her dearly.  As the story comes to a close, the other dog, who could easily see Daisy as an enemy, shows her instead what it is to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” ( Luke 6:31).

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What does Daisy love?  How does she show it?
2. Who and or what makes up Daisy’s world?
3. What happens to disrupt Daisy’s world?  How does this make her feel?
4. What happens when Daisy returns to the park?
5. Who do you most identify with?  Why?
6. Where is God in this story?  Can you see Jesus?  Can you see the Holy Spirit?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student LaDonna Harrison.

The Pine Tree Parable

Name of Book:  The Pine Tree Parable

Author:  Liz Curtis Higgs

Illustrator:  Nancy Munger

Publisher:  Tommy Nelson, Inc.

ISBN:  9781400308477

Audience:  Although this book is recommended for children ages 3-7, I believe that this would be a great book for older children and adults about stewardship and tithing.

Summary:  A farmer and his family nurture tiny seedlings for many years until they grow to be fragrant Christmas trees that they can sell to their neighbors.  The farmer’s wfe puts a gold star at the top of the tallest and most beautiful tree and she decides that it is not for sale for she intends to keep it for her family.  On Christmas eve, a poor family comes to the farm to cut down a ragged, drooping tree because it is the only one that they can afford.  Then their young daughter notices the tallest, most beautiful tree with the gold star and asks her parents if they can buy it.  Knowing that the family cannot afford the tree, the farmer’s wife tells the little girl that it is not for sale, but she can have it as a gift.

Literary elements at work in the story (Genre/setting/characterization/plot/theme/point of view/style): This book is the fourth book in a seasonal seriesthat all feature the farmer and his wife and kids.  Each book in the series is brimming with vibrant, colorful watercolor illustrations that warm the heart.  It is about giving out of generosity and the joy and love that comes each Christmas season.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  Although the farmers give their best Christmas tree to a poor family that visits their farm, they are not perceived as being financially wealthy either.  But out of generous hearts, they give their most prized possession to another family in need.  If the farmers were a wealthy family, then it would be easy not to relate to their generouse gift, but when the reader recognizes that they are just simple farmers, then the reader can appreciate the price of their gift even more.

Theological conversation partners: This story is about so much more than the gift of a Christmas tree.  The farmers could have given any tree from their lot, but they chose to give the tallest, most beautiful tree of all to the poor family.  When we are called to give of our time, talents, and treasures to the ministry of the church, we are not called to give whatever we have leftover.  We are called to give our best.  The author cites 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one should give, then, what he has decided in his heart to give…God loves the person who gives happily.”

Faith Talk Questions

1. Think about something that is very special to you, maybe it is your favorite toy or book.  How would you feel about giving it away to someone in need?  How would the person in need feel about receiving it?
2. What are some things that you are willing to give generously?  What are some things that you are trying to keep for yourself? Why?  What keeps you from giving generously?

This review was prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Amanda North.

If You’re Missing Baby Jesus

Name of Book:  If You’re Missing Baby Jesus

Author:  Jean Gietzen

Illustrator:  Lila Rose Kennedy

Publisher:  Blue Cottage Gifts, a division of Multnomah Books

ISBN:  1-58860-024-6

Audience:  Ages 7—9

Summary:  In 1943, a young family of four in North Dakota buys a nativity set to decorate their house for Christmas. When they unpack the nativity set, they find that there are two figurines of the baby Jesus. Mom, (whose name is Ethel), asks her young son and daughter to go down to the five-and-dime store where the set was purchased, and tell the store owner about their two figurines of the baby Jesus. Mom is worried that some one will buy a nativity set that has no baby Jesus in it. The children go down to the store, and the store owner puts this sign in his window:  “If You’re Missing Baby Jesus, Call 7162.” Mom finally gets a call from a young mother who has no heat, no sufficient supply of food or clothing, and few Christmas presents for her young children. Mom hurries over to 205 Chestnut Street, and involves her husband and children in the process of giving the family in need a truly meaningful Christmas.

Literary elements at work in the story:  The author uses a first person narrative; the daughter of the family tells a true story which took place when she was a child during World War II. The title, If You’re Missing Baby Jesus, has a dual meaning. The first meaning relates to the possibility of someone buying a nativity set from the store with a missing figurine of the baby Jesus. The second meaning is explained by the author’s family acting as Jesus lived and taught–by ministering to the needs of the young family without heat. The young woman with cold and hungry children says it best when she says, “That nice lady (Ethel) is singin’ ‘bout the Lord Jesus. He ain’t ever gonna walk out on us. Why, He sent these people to us just to fix our furnace. And blankets—now we got blankets, too! Oh, we’ll be warm tonight. Jesus saves, that’s what He does.”       

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  The story takes place in war time during the year of 1943.  Winters were extremely cold in North Dakota. War times were times of deprivation.  Not everyone had the basic necessities of life. The war separated families, and left many families without bread winners. The book does not tell us why—but the young family without heat has been deserted by the husband and father of the family.

Theological conversation partners:  In Matthew 25, Jesus says that when we give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, when we welcome the stranger, give clothing to the naked, when we visit the sick, and the imprisoned, we are doing these things for him.  This scripture illustrates the concept of giving to others, caring for others, and loving others, because that was what Christ did, and it is what Christ wants us to do. This story changes the focus of Christmas from being a time of receiving, to a time of giving. The story shows how parents can model—for their children—a giving spirit.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. When does Dad begin to understand the meaning of the concept – missing baby Jesus?
2. What kind of things besides material things did Mom, Dad, and the children give this family in need?
3. How is the faith of the young mother living at 205 Chestnut Street affected by the gifts given her and her children?
4. How is the baby Jesus figurine important to each of the characters in this story?
5. Why is the location of the baby Jesus figurine so important?
6. What do the narrator and her family do with the “extra” baby Jesus figurine?
7. How does this story show the real meaning of Christmas?

This review was prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Chris Feno.

Elmer and the Rainbow

Title:  Elmer and the Rainbow

Author:  David McKee

Illustrator:  David McKee

Publisher:  Anderson Press USA

ISBN:  978-0761374107

Audience: 3-6 years

Summary: Elmer, the patchwork elephant, is the multicolored hero of a popular series of preschool books.  In this story the jungle animals watch a fierce thunder storm and anticipate seeing a rainbow. Alas, the rainbow appears too early and has no color.  Elmer with the help of his friends must find where the rainbow begins and then he will share his colors.  How can Elmer give his colors to the rainbow and still keep them?”  Will he be a colorless elephant now?  Elmer finds the end of the rainbow behind a waterfall, shares his colors with the rainbow and emerges in his usual multicolored skin.“Some things you can give and give and not lose any.  Things like happiness or love or my colors,” says Elmer

Literary elements at work in the story: This is a simple story, simply told-a problem, a search, and a happy ending. The brightly colored, full page illustrations complement the readable text.  Rabbits are included among the jungle animals which may be more make believe than necessary.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? Elmer, it may be assumed is a male. Otherwise no gender is evident.  The animals share the concern and the search equally.

Theological Conversation Partners: Learning to give is an important task in preschool life. Developmentally giving and sharing are almost identical.  Giving is central in the life of faith:  God so loved the world that He gave (Jn. 3: 16).  The Macedonian Christians gave generously because first they gave themselves to the Lord. (2^nd Cor. 8:5) “It is more blessed to give than to receive” are the words of Jesus quoted by Paul. (Acts 20:35) Jesus praises the poor widow who gives sacrificially. (Luke 21 (1-3) When Peter  points out how much he and the disciples have given up to follow Jesus, Jesus assures him that he cannot outgive God.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. In this make believe story the rainbow needed colors.  Have you seen or known someone who needed something?
2. Have you given to someone in need?
3. Elmer says that there are some things you can give away without giving them up.  What are some things like this?  A smile? A compliment?
4. Jesus says it is happier to give than to get.  What are some ways that giving makes us happy?

Review prepared by regular contributor Virginia Thomas