God Bless the Child

Title:  God Bless the Child

Author: Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.

Illustrator:  Jerry Pinkney

Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers

Publication Date:  Words and Music copyright 1941/Illustrations 2004

ISBN:  978060287979

Audience:  Though this is clearly a picture book, the subject; the illustrations and the song that is used all combine to broaden the attraction across different age groups.  This is a book that could very easily be used across generations: with young children, who would be drawn by the illustrations and details, but partnered with the music, could be easy to learn; for older children through teens, the lesson in history, as it could also be partnered with the history of the song and its original singer and/or the musical genre could be well received; and adults will love the history, the illustrations and the story they tell and the song, which has been loved for many, many years.

Summary:  God Bless the Child tells the story of the migration of so many rural Southern Blacks, as slavery ended, when the backbreaking work and low wages of farm labor seemed more hopeless and the possibilities of the urban north provided hope.    Truly, the illustrations here could stand alone and the words from the classic song stand more to complement the artwork and the story being told.

How does the book present gender, race, culture, economic status and age:  There is so much being conveyed in the pictures.  At the beginning of the book,  we see a rural family that does not appear to have much in the way of material things, listening as the mother reads to them from the Bible.  This simple scene speaks of love, faithfulness and humility.  While in the scenes in the south there are some portraits of happiness, the larger part of these pictures of rural life show people who are poor and unhappy; the words burdened and weary coming to mind.  As the family moves to the north, the colors become bolder, the dress of the people pictured seem finer and the people seem happier.  It is also interesting to note what story the pictures tell about the children.  In the south, small and young children are pictured working in the fields alongside their parents or the adults.  In the north, while a child is pictured shining shoes, more so the children are shown engaging in simple play, daydreaming, singing  and going to school.  In short, the pictures in the north show children being children.

Theological Conversation Partners:  One could include the parable of the talents.  Jesus’ parable teaches the story of a man who, before going on a journey, gives his money to his servants.  The end result being that when he returned, the servant to whom he had given 5 talents gave him 10 back.  Likewise the servant to whom he gave 2 talents returned 4 to him.  To both, he responded “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”  To the servant to whom he gave 1 talent, only the 1 was returned to him.  The man’s response to the servant was not a favorable response.  While the parable is a good partner for the song, with greater focus on Matthew 25:29, the story of the migration that is being told would more likely best be partnered with the themes of hope, family and love.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Have you ever moved in your life?  Was the move local or long distance?  If you have, think back on how you felt about the move before and after?  In you have never moved before, think about what this might feel like?
2. Knowing these families had little time to make the long journey across several states, imagine the situations that may have played a part in forcing these families to move?  How might this have impacted the parents and the children differently?
3. List some of the events or situations that might force you to move your family today?  After creating the list, decide if this would be an easy or a difficult decision.  Why?
4. The book began with the family reading/being read the Bible and ended with a little boy in school.  What might these two scenes symbolize?  Are they similar themes?  Why or why not?
5. What moral values are being portrayed through the illustrations for this family?  How can you tell they are important to them?

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

Wonder

Title of Book:  Wonder

Author:  R. J. Palacio

Publisher and Publication date:  Alfred A. Knopf, 2012

ISBN number:  978-0-375-86902-0

Audience: Ages 8 and up

Summary:  August Pullman is born with a severe facial deformity and is sheltered from the world and home schooled by his parents and sister until fifth grade when he begins middle school at a private school where he knows no one.  Making friends is hard enough in middle school, but when you look like Auggie, it’s nearly impossible.  He endures stares, ridicule, betrayal, loneliness and heartbreak before an overnight school field trip erupts in a group fight to protect him.  When the trip is over, most people at school realize he is just another kid like them and in fact a pretty terrific one.  This is a heartwarming story about courage and about judging people for who they are rather than what they look like.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This great story is broken into eight sections and told in first person from the view of six of the characters including Auggie, his sister, her former best friend, her boyfriend and two friends from his new school.  Each section has short easy to read chapters that express genuine feelings and allow the reader to experience the characters point of view and gain further insight into the story andits dynamics.  Each section of the story opens with a quote from a song, a movie or literature that relates to the section or character and ties into the story.  There is also mention of his English teacher’s precepts (defined as rules about really important things-like a motto) throughout the story and those are included at the end of the book in an appendix as well as those precepts written by the main characters.

Presentation of gender/race/culture/economic status/age/disabilities/etc:  The characters in this story are middle class and upper middle class white people living in New York City.  The main character is a 10 year old boy who has a severe facial deformity and a hearing disability.

Theological conversation partners:  1 Samuel 16:7-Humans looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart, Parable of the Good Samaritan, Matthew 7:1 (Do not judge others), 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Love is…), Genesis 1-Created in God’s image-it is good, Shema/Mark 12:30-31 (Love your neighbor as yourself).  Karl Barth-The Judge who was judged in our place and was just.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What story or character in the Bible does Auggie’s story remind you of and why?
2. How would you line up the characters in this story with the parable of the Good Samaritan? Why?
3. Who in this book do you think is the Good Samaritan?
4. What do you think it means to be created in God’s image?  What does that mean for people with deformities and/or disabilities?
5. What does it mean to judge other people?  How do we judge people?  How does God judge people?
6. What does it mean for us to love our neighbor?
7. Think of the ‘Auggie’ that you go to school with-How is he/she treated by other?  By you?
8. What can you do to love the “Auggie’ at your school?
9. How is courage displayed in this story?
10. What is Auggie’s source of courage?  What is yours?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Lisa McLennan.

Katie Loves the Kittens

Title: Katie Loves the Kittens

Author: John Himmelman

Illustrator: John Himmelman

Publisher: Scholastic Incorporation

Publication date: 2008

ISBN number: 978-0-545-22364-5

Audience:  Ages 4 – 8

Summary of book: Sara Ann brings home three new kittens.  Katie, her dog, couldn’t be happier.   Unfortunately, Katie’s uncontrollable joy causes her to unintentionally scare the new kittens.  Sara Ann reprimands her and Katie is very sad.  After a series of good intentioned episodes where Katie continues to unintentionally be unwelcoming.  Katie is very upset with herself.  She spends the entire day on her doggy bed.  When she wakes up the kittens have fallen asleep on top of her.  She wants to run around and chase them, but instead she controls herself and happily lays with them on top of her.

Literary elements at work in the book: Through the words and the illustrations, Katie comes to life.  She is an amazingly sweet and joyful character.

How the book presents gender, race, culture, economic status, abilities/disabilities, age, etc.: The only human character in the book is Sara Ann, a Caucasian girl with red hair and blue eyes.

Theological Conversation Partners: Galatians 5:22-23a

22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Which fruits (of the Spirit) does Katie have abundantly?  How do you know?
2. Which fruits (of the Spirit) does Katie need to practice?  How do you know?
3. Describe a time when you were like Katie and had good intentions that didn’t work out well.
4. Which fruits of the Spirit do you have abundantly?
5. Which fruits do you need to practice?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Jessie Smith.

 

 

My Sister, Alicia May

Title of Book: My Sister, Alicia May

Author: Nancy Tupper Ling

Illustrator: Shennen Bersani

Publisher: Pleasant St. Press

ISBN: 978-0-9792035-9-6

Audience: Ages 5 – 7

Summary: My Sister Alicia May is a story journeying through the life of a little girl with Down syndrome.  This is an exceptional story told by Alicia’s sister’s explaining what it is like to have a sibling with a disability. This is a story of sibling love, challenges, laughter and triumph.

Literary elements at work in the story: The story is told from the perspective of Alicia’s sister- Rachel, who Alicia calls, “Rae Rae.”  Rachel tells the story of Alicia’s birth, surgeries, morning greetings, her favorite pastimes, visits with neighbors, trips to the zoo and disturbing school bus rides home.  The story expresses the love, joys and frustrations of having a sibling with a disability.  The illustrations are very soft, colorful, inviting to the reader and captivating visually as the story is to read.

Perspective on gender/race/culture/abilities/disabilities/economic:  The story embraces the challenges children with disabilities may face, how the sibling is affected and how their love moves them through the challenges.   The story focuses on a little girl with Down syndrome, but this story would be applicable to any child with a disability, their siblings, teachers, family and friends.

Theological Conversation Partners:  John 3:16; Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

This story points to the love shared between siblings regardless of differences and challenges.  God established God’s covenant in love with us when he gave his only Son.  God loved us so much that God gave Christ to die for our sins and by faith in Him we have eternal life.  This is the example of love.  Jesus then instructs us to love God, then one another as ourselves.  We must fill our hearts with love so that we can approach life with a loving heart which will produce patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control and forgiveness in all situations.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What did Alicia do for Rachel that showed she loved her?
2. What did Rachel do for Alicia that showed she loved her?
3. What are some challenges Rachel faces being Alicia’s sister?
4. What are some challenges Alicia faces being Rachel’s sister?
5. How do they overcome these challenges?
6. How does their love for one another assist them in overcoming challenges?
7. What challenges do you face in your relationships?
8. How can you express love through these challenges?
9. What does scripture teach us in how we are to love one another?
10. How can you love others by being patient, kind, and gentle in your approach?
11. Name one change you will make in your life to share the love of Christ?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Phanta Landsden.

Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love

Title of Book:  Smack Dab in the Middle of God’s Love

Author:  Brennan Manning and John Blasé

Illustrator:  Nicole Tadgell

Publisher and Publication date:  Tommy Nelson (a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.), 2011

ISBN number:  978-1-4003-1713-4

Audience:  Ages 4 – 8

Summary:  Childless couple, Willie Juan and Ana, share much of their lives with the neighborhood children.  One evening Willie Juan asks a question ‘What do you think Abba will ask you in heaven?’  The conversations that follow, while eating Ana’s homemade sopapillas, help the children to understand that they are smack-dab in the middle of God’s love and that all the good gifts in their life are from God.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This story starts off acknowledging that ‘smack-dab’ is fun term to use and say.  It gives its definition as ‘precisely in the center’ and then throughout the story has a repetitive use of the term ‘smack-dab’.   The book drives the term home by reminding us that ultimately we are smack-dab in the middle of God’s love for us.  Reading the book aloud and encouraging the audience to say ‘Smack-dab” with the reader each time it appears, would be a fun way to involve the audience in participating.

Presentation of gender/race/culture/economic status/age/disabilities/etc:  All ages and genders are represented in the illustrations in the story.  The setting is in a small, modest Mexican village but many races are also represented by a variety of skin tones and hair colors and textures.  The story has a strong sense of community and sharing with ones neighbor.  The story introduces Hispanic culture in a way that explains the terms to those who may be new to them.

Theological conversation partners:  John 3:16-17, Romans 8:39, James 1:17, Heidelberg Catechism Question 1.  The story also has a conversational style that allows the reader to imagine their own questions and responses to Willie Juan.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What do you think Abba will ask you when you get to heaven?  (Willie Juan’s question)
2. What will you ask God when you get to heaven?
3. If you’re smack-dab in the middle of God’s love, what is smack-dab in the middle of your love?
4. What are some things should be smack-dab in the middle of your love?
5. What might it look like to love God?
6. What are some good gifts that you have been given from God?
7. What are some ways that you can share your gifts from God?
8. Who are the Willie Juan’s and Ana’s in your life?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Lisa McClennan

You Are a Gift to the World

Title: You are a Gift to the World

Author: Laura Duksta

Illustrator: Dona Turner

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2011

ISBN:  9781402219542

Audience: Ages 4 – 8

Summary:  The answer to the biggest question lays inside the heart. The question is what is the biggest gift in the whole world . With the gift of the world, there are melodies of joy, wonder and laughter, uplifting smiles that tenderly and warmly brighten our lives. The world offers opportunities for fellowship and loving families. Travel makes possible the discovery of the wonder that the world has to offer. Nature is a miracle that waits to be discovered; the plants, seas, and all the creatures big and small living in it, snowy mountains and sunshine, all inspire the endless possibilities for painting. The world is really a gift.

Literary Elements at work in the story:  The book is divided into two sections both ending in the middle of the book. On one side “You are the gift to the world” and on the other side “The world is the gift”. Each part of the book opens with the memory of the question as if it were a dialogue between two individuals. But it remains unclear to know who is asking the question, and to who? Although the illustrations show two peoples and adult and a girl enjoying the time together as family, still between the two of them nothing indicates who is speaking. The adventurous exploration of the gift of the world has no indication of racial or cultural connotation; however, it takes a good economic status to travel around the world and take advantage of what the world has to offer.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  The author emphasizes the concept of gift. To be a gift to the world or the world to be a gift to us gives no indication of race or economic status but it is itself a culture   in the sense it is a call for responsibility toward the world.

Theological Conversation Partners:  Nature as God’s creation is good, because God declared good all that God has created. All creation is a gift God trusted to human beings to cultivate or take care of.  Genesis 2:15; Psalms 8:6

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Where does your biggest gift come from?
2. How responsible are you toward the biggest gift?
3. How do you show your gratitude for having the world as a gift?
4. What makes think you are a gift to the world, and the world a gift to you?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Bahekelwa Imatha.

Grumpy Cat

Title:  Grumpy  Cat

Author :  Britta Teckentrup

Illustrator:  Britta Teckentrup

Publisher:  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc; 2008

ISBN:  13-978-1-905417-69-8

Audience:  Ages 3 – 6

Summary:  This wonderfully simple story is one of Grumpy Cat, who is a loner, always in a bad mood, and has no friends.  Grumpy Cat is aloof and appears to not need other cats.  A bad, bad storm causes a little kitten to show up and as expected, Grumpy Cat wants no part of this baby.  The little kitten needs someone to care for it because it is so small and without a mother.  Just like a kitten, it follows Grumpy Cat around trying to interact and get the attention of Grumpy Cat.  In an effort to lose the kitten, Grumpy Cat climbs a tree.  The kitten follows Grumpy Cat up the tree and goes out on a thin limb before slipping.  Grumpy Cat quickly grabs the kitten and carries the kitten down the tree to safety.   It is at this point in the story that Grumpy Cat begins to nurture the kitten.  Grumpy Cat goes off and returns with a large fresh fish for them to share.  Grumpy Cat and kitten share the fish and eat until they are full and content.  Grumpy Cat and kitten become good friends and Grumpy Cat loses its grumpy personality.  They are loving and kind to each other.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This story is in a narrative form and tells a story showing the importance of friendship and also of helping those who are in need.  The story is well-illustrated in a simple form that displays the details and personalities of the characters.  The characters are central to the story.  The book is very well illustrated in a simplistic style.   The illustrations are essential to the story and the story comes alive because of the illustrations.  The illustrations show wonderfully dramatic facial expressions, as well as groupings of the cats displaying separation and togetherness – all while focusing on the characters and the characters’ actions.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  The idea of changing one’s attitude to include others is of foremost importance in this story.  In reflecting on differences in others, whether it is race, gender, economics, or personalities (as is the case in this story) we are all one with God and God includes all creatures.

Theological Conversation Partners:   Our lives require us to take risks almost every day with other people.  We risk losing our privacy or our space, but when we reach out in love to others we are allowed the gracious goodness available to us through Christ.  This gracious goodness should be part of our lives to others, especially others who are in need.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. When you begin reading the story, what are your thoughts about Grumpy Cat’s personality?
2. Why doesn’t Grumpy Cat have any friends?
3. How does Grumpy Cat’s life change once he opens himself up to the kitten?
4. How does the kitten’s life change once Grumpy Cat opens himself up to the kitten?
5. We don’t always know what happens in other persons’ lives.  What is the reason, as you see it, that Grumpy Cat was always in a bad mood?
6. Had Grumpy Cat not taken the kitten in and loved it, how would the outcome of the story have changed?  How would your feelings have changed if there had been a different outcome?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Becky Albright.

The Invisible String

Title:  The Invisible String

Author:  Patrice Karst

Illustrator:  Geoff Stevenson

Publisher:  DeVorss Publications

Audience:  Ages 3 and up

Summary:  Liza and Jeremy (twins) are awakened by a storm one night.  In fear, they run to their mother.  In response their mother tells them the story, told to her by her mother, of the invisible string.  This string forever keeps them connected to her and all they love despite where they find themselves.  As a result, they are never alone.

Literary elements at work in the story:  Two primary themes used in The Invisible String to get the message of this story across are illustration and dialogue.  The children are in dialogue the entire book with their mother, questioning the reality of the invisible string’s ability to keep them connected.  In this dialogue the kids ask a series of questions centered on location.  The author uses very vivid and colorful pictures to bring to the life these various locations.  With each challenge the mother responds “even there”.

How does the book present gender, race, culture, economic status, abilities/disabilities, age, etc?:  The story presents the children as paternal twins, one male and one female.  The mother is represented, but no father. All three of the main characters are blondes but in one image where the twins are dreaming of their friends, the images show a greater variety of gender and ethnicity. Images in the story indicate the family has a laptop and a car and a comfortable house of apartment, so the basic image is one of a family that has a somewhat comfortable economic status.

Theological conversation partners:  The discomfort and fear of being alone is one we grapple with in this life often.  It is even a question addressed in scripture.    We find in scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, that God is active and always present in our lives. Though we may feel alone we are never alone.  Jesus promises us in Matthews 28:20 that he will be with us until the end of time.  Jesus also promises us in John 16:7 that in his absence he has sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to guide and be with us.  It is the Holy Spirit, much like the invisible string, that assures us we are never alone and that we are always connected to the One who loves us.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Tell about a time you felt alone?  Why?
2. In that moment to whom did you reach out  for connectedness?
3. How do you believe you would have felt if you had no one to reach out to?
4. Does our faith assure us of connectedness?  In what ways?
5. Given we are assured of God’s constant presence how should we respond to anxiety caused by the prospect of being separated from those we love?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Lorenzo Small

At Your Baptism

Title: At Your Baptism

Author: Carrie Steenwyk and John D. Witvliet

Illustrator: Linda Saport

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young

ISBN: 978-0-8028-5381-3

Audience: All ages

Summary: At Your Baptism is a book which uses the words from the French Reformed liturgy for baptism to remind us how much God loves us all.  It does this by telling the story of God’s greatest gift –  the birth, life, death and resurrection of his son and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Literary Elements at Work: This book looks and feels like children’s picture book with thick board pages and few words on the pages but it has a profound message to all readers.  The illustrator assist the authors with colorful pictures that help tell the story of God’s love for us.  The story begins with God’s promises.  He sent his son Jesus into the world as fully human but without sin.  It then shows Jesus as a healer, teacher, and friend and then he dies on the cross for us all.  But that was not the end.  Jesus rose from the dead was seen by many and then he rises to reign in heaven at God’s right hand.  Jesus showed us how to love each other and God.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  The authors and the illustrator set the tone for this book concerning gender, race, culture and economics on the first page as they show a gathering of people of all colors for the baby’s baptism.  The book then shows Jesus teaching a woman and children.  It later shows two children of different races embracing each other and it closes with a picture of all the children playing in a field.

Theology: This book reveals God’s promises for us all.  God loves us so much that he sent his only Son Jesus Christ to earth.  Jesus came to earth not to be served but to be a servant.  And we are called to do the same. We were taught true love and obedience by Jesus, to love God and our neighbors.  “We love because God loved us first.”

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What lesson can be learned from this child’s book as an adult?  Or is there one?
2. What lesson can be learned as a child?
3. Do you think God loves us all the same or does he have a favorite?  If so who is it?
4. Do the illustrations help tell the story? Why or Why not?
5. Would you change anything in the story? Why or Why not?
6. Can you earn God’s love? Why or Why not?
7. Does this story help you understand the importance of your baptism?  If so how?

This book review was written by Union Presbyterian Student Bob Martin

Stellaluna

Title of Book:  Stellaluna

Author:  Janelle Cannon

Publisher and Publication date:  Harcourt Brace & Company, 1993

ISBN number:  0-15-280217-7

Audience:  Ages 4 – 8

Summary:  Stellaluna is a baby bat who is separated from her mother during an owl attack.  She ends up in a bird’s nest befriending the baby birds and being cared for by the mother bird.  As she grows she begins to act like a bird.  Along her journeys as she grows she meets other bats and becomes reunited with her mother.  They teach her how to be a bat and she realizes that she isn’t being who she was created to be and that life is much better for her as a bat.  She finds her bird friends and shares her new bat skills with them and tries to teach the birds how to be a bat.  The birds aren’t very good at being a bat and run into trouble.  They wonder together how they can be so alike and yet so different.  

Literary elements at work in the story:  From the very beginning, readers will be wondering how Stellaluna will survive the owl attack and make it without her mother.  The author uses suspense, humor and dialogue between the bats and birds to keep the reader engaged.  There are beautiful illustrations to enhance the story and help the reader visualize Stellaluna’s journey.  This would also be a great story to use in a readers theater or for children and youth to act along with the reading.

Presentation of gender/race/culture/economic status/age/disabilities/etc:  This story highlights the different gifts, abilities and strengths that bats and birds have, like people.  Each is uniquely made with different abilities.  These creatures are very similar but also very different.  The book represents that neither is better than other, just different.

Theological conversation partners:  Two prominent themes are represented in this story.  One is the love and care for your neighbor.  The other is how we are each uniquely made yet at the same time we are all the same, children of God.  Following along the lines of this theme is the idea of being who God created you to be and not trying to be someone else.  Love your neighbor-Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:31, Matthew 25: 31-46, Hebrews 13:2, Uniquely made-Psalm 139:13, Creation-Genesis 1, Spiritual gifts- 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12, Ephesians 4,

Faith Talk Questions:

1. In what ways is Stellaluna shown the love of a neighbor?
2. How can you see God at work when bad things happen to Stellaluna?
3. How is Stellaluna unique from the birds?  What happens when she tries to act like a bird?
4. How does Stellaluna feel when she discovers her true self?  How does it change her life?
5. What do Stellaluna and her bird friends discover about themselves?
6. How are we like Stellaluna?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Lisa McLennan.