The One, the Only Magnificent Me!

Title of the Book:  The One, the Only Magnificent Me!

Author: Dan Haseltine

Illustrator:  Joel Schoon Tanis

Publisher/Date: Mackinac Island Press, 2007

ISBN: 978-1-934133-21-7

Audience:  The intended audience is ages 2 and up.  Young children who are unable to read will be drawn in by the bright colors.  Adolescents may associate with the story’s theme.  Even adults can be actively engaged by this wonderful story.

Summary: This is the story of a little boy who feels a little left out because he is not as big or as fast as the other children.  He thinks that this means he should be different, and that would make it all better.  With the aid of his imagination, he imagines wonderful changes that would make him better, and he goes about making the necessary changes.  By the end of the story, with a little help, he comes to see that he already is magnificent, just the way he is.

Literary elements at work in the story:  The way the story is told, in the voice of the boy that the story is about, allows the reader to see him in a way the illustrations don’t fully show.  This does not in any way take away from the illustrations, which are very well done.  As the book begins, our central character is illustrated in muted pastels.  This continues throughout the book, except, as his imagination takes over, the products of his imagining are created in bright, bold colors that take over the page(s).  He seems to become discouraged as real life falls short of his imagination and the muted pastels return.  The story and characterization is told as much through the illustrations as it is through the words.

Theological Conversation Partners:  The scripture that could be used to partner with this story easily is Psalms 139.14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Just as the Psalmist is expressing that God has made him as a wonderful creation, the little boy in the story learns that he, too, is wonderful, no, that he is magnificent, just the way he is.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Have you ever wished for any of the things the little boy in our story wished for?  Have you ever wished for something different that altered your appearance?  Why?
2. From whose perspective is the story told?  How is this displayed in the illustrations?
3. Have you ever prayed for something and then tried to “help” it happen?  What were your results?
4. Why do you think the little boy failed in his attempts to change his appearance?
5. The author and illustrator do not give us any clues on who the person is who comes into the little boy’s room at the end of the book.  Who do you think this person is that helps him see how magnificent he is just the way he is?
6. Think about those who have been the major influences in your life.  Do you think your experiences impacted who you chose in question #5?  If so, why?

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

17 Kings and 42 Elephants

Title:  17 Kings and 42 Elephants

Author:  Margaret  Mahy

Illustrator:  Patricia MacCathy

Publisher:  Dial Books

Audience: Ages 4-8

Summary:  The book is the story of seventeen kings traveling on elephants through the wild.  As they travel they sing and their song has an effect on the wild.  During their travel we are introduced to all the other wild animals they encounter on this journey (crocodiles, crabs, cranes, pelicans, hippos, tigers, peacocks, flamingos, birds, baboons, and gorillas) and experience how these animals impact and/or interact with these traveling kings.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This book is a picture book.  As such, the telling of the story, though a rhyming scheme is employed, loses its effect and power without the illustrations.  Thus, it will be imperative that the pictures be visible to the listener.  The book is normal size so it will need to be used with small groups to ensure the audience can fully see the illustrations.

Children will identify with this artwork.  The colors are bright and loud.  The illustrations are beautiful and eye catching.  You could literally remove the words and the illustrations alone will draw a child in and cause the child to create a story.  The artwork is appropriate for a story set in the wild (jungle).  Simply, it is believable, though for the target age group that may not be a point of major consideration.

How does the book present gender, race, culture, economic status, abilities/disabilities, age, etc. in the story:  The book does a poor job on addressing diversity in race.  All seventeen kings are white males.  As such, the author and illustrator fail to produce a book that will cross ethnicities and identify with multiple audiences.

Theological patterns for conversation:  Pulling any theological perspective from this book will be a stretch, even for the best theologian.  However, apart from the words, one could use the illustrations to facilitate discussion around the creation story with kids; particularly the portion of the creation story where God creates animals and sends them before Adam for naming.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Why do you think God created animals?
2. Tell me about your favorite animal.
3. If you could have been in the Garden and were given the chance to name the animals presented in this book, what would you have named each?  Why?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Lorenzo Small.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Title: Click, Clack Moo Cows that Type

Author: Betsy Lewin

Illustrator: Doreen Cronin

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Book for Young Readers

Publication date: 2000

ISBN number: 0-689-83213-3

Audience :  Intended by publisher: 3- 7; Possibilities:  all ages

Summary: Farmer Brown has unusual cows.  The cows found an old type writer, practiced typing, and typed him a request for electric blankets.  Farmer Brown refused and got really angry.  The next day the cows refused to give Farmer Brown milk.  Farmer Brown was angry.  The day after that the chickens were also requesting electric blankets.  Farmer Brown refused and the next day there was no milk and no eggs for Farmer Brown.  Farmer Brown was irate and sent an ultimatum to the cows through Duck.  He demanded milk and eggs.  The cows agreed to a compromise, they would surrender the typewriter for the electric blankets.  The blankets were left outside the barn door, but Duck hijacked the typewriter and the ducks requested a diving board for the pond. 

Literary elements at work in the story: One of the strengths of the book is the repeated refrain Click, Clack, Moo.              The illustrations are lovable and add a lot to the story. This is a plot driven story that is easy to read and to the point.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  Farmer Brown is an older white guy that works hard for his living.  There are no other human characters in the book, so there is not a variety of gender, race, culture, economic status, abilities/disabilities, or age.

Theological conversation partners:  Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him”.  Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Why do you think Farmer Brown was angry at the cows?
2. Give examples of what happened when Farmer Brown got angry.
3. The cows engaged in peaceful resistance.  What are some other examples of peaceful resistance?
4. How did the cows return peace to the farm?
5. How does compromise work in a situation?
6. What do the Bible passages tell us about peace?

This review was prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte student Jessie Smith.

Stories from the Bible: Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors

Name of Book:  Stories from the Bible: Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors

Author:  Kathryn Smith

Illustrator:  Stuart Trotter

Publisher:  Parragon Publishing

ISBN:  9781405437868

Audience:  According to the illustrations and simple language, it would appear as though this book is intended for children ages 4-8.  However, the story of Joseph from the Bible, no matter how it is told, is never really appropriate for young children.  I may recommend this book for junior or senior high youth to read along with the original text from Genesis, so they can make their own critique of the similarities and differences between the two stories.

Summary:  Using simple words and colorful illustrations, this book is a retelling of the story of Joseph from Genesis 37, 39-47.  It follows the story of Joseph from receiving the coat of many colors from his father, Jacob, to being reunited with his brothers in the end.  In the beginning, Joseph’s brothers are jealous of him and they sell him into slavery where Joseph is committed to remaining faithful to God by working hard for his master, Potiphar.  However, Potiphar’s wife wants Joseph to do all sorts of wicked things, but he refuses, so she has him thrown in prison.  While in prison, Joseph is able to correctly intrepret prisoners’ dreams and his reputation of being a dream-teller reaches the Pharaoh, who also has a dream.  Joseph is able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream correctly, so he is released from prison and promoted to be the Pharaoh’s right-hand man.  For seven years, Joseph works hard to save grain so that Egypt and the surrounding region will have enough food for the famine which was foretold in the Pharaoh’s dream.  When the famine comes, Joseph’s brothers come in search for food, but they do not recognize Joseph when they see him.  Joseph tests his brothers to see if their hearts have been changed and when the brothers pass the test, Joseph reveals himself to them.  Hugs are exchanged and they all live happily ever after.

Literary elements at work in the story: Written in the third person and set primarily in ancient Egypt, this book is a faith story from the Bible retold for children.  The book is colorfully illustrated using what it appears to be water colors for light hues which cover each page.  Each illustration is cartoon-like and some illustrations are large enough to spread over both pages of the open book.  The text of each page is nicely displayed around each illustration, so they do not get lost in the illustration.  Often times the shape of the text is blended into the illustration. Following the ups and downs of Joseph’s life, this book reminds readers to trust in God and remain faithful to him no matter what life’s circumstances may bring.  Through Joseph’s faithfulness and commitment to God, Joseph is reunited with his family and everyone lives happily ever after in the end.  Although not everyone gets to live happily ever after in real life.  This story can send a confusing message to young children, which is why I believe it is more suitable for older ones.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  Although Joseph is a foreign slave in Egypt, he is able to become the right-hand man of the Pharaoh by working hard, do what is right, and trusting in God.  As an oppressed character, Joseph’s story can offer inspiration and hope to others facing oppression.

Theological conversation partners (scripture, confessions, doctrines, theologians, etc):  Comparing this book with the actual story of Joseph in Genesis, it is apparent that the author made several changes to make the story more appropriate for children.  Smith left out Potiphar’s wife trying to seduce Joseph.  And, while Smith tells of Joseph interpreting the dreams of prisoners, she only tells of the cupbearer who will be released from prison and restored to his office.  She does not tell the story of the chief baker’s dream, which Joseph interprets as the baker’s death.  While the overall story is a sugar-coated version of the biblical text, it is a good introduction to children of the biblical story.  It is well illustrated and remains true to the theological theme of trusting God in all circumstances.

Faith Talk Questions

1. Have you been jealous of your brothers or sisters?  What made you jealous and how did you feel?
2. How do you think Joseph felt when his brother’s betrayed him and sold him into slavery?
3. When Joseph was a slave, he felt scared and alone, but he committed himself to working hard.  When have you felt scared or alone?  What are some things that you can do to feel brave like Joseph when you feel that way?
4. If you were Joseph, what would you have done when you saw your brothers?  Would you have been able to forgive them like Joseph did?  What does this story teach us about forgiveness?

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

Where Does God Live?

Name of Book:  Where Does God Live?

Author:  August Gold

Illustrator:  Matthew J. Perlman

Publisher:  Skylight Paths Publishing (August 2001)

ISBN: 978-1893361393

Audience:  Ages 3 – 6 years

Summary:  In this picture book for young children a child ask the parents where God lives and the parents respond by telling the child the multitude of places that God lives and how the child sees and feels God all day every day.

Literary elements at work in the story:  The genre of this book is a very realistic one, as it portrays a conversation between a child and her parents when the child asks where God lives. It is also realistic in that it deals with the child’s struggle to comprehend something as immense as God, and where God can be found, and the role of the parents in helping her understand. The book is told from the point of view of the parents as they attempt to show their daughter where God can be found. The setting is the present day. Also, due to the multitude and variety of photographs used, children of all walks of life in a multitude of settings can relate. Since this book is geared to 3-6 year olds the characters are very simple – mother, father and child – and are presented in a simple fashion that mimics conversations that young readers probably have with their own family members. The plot, simple though it is, is about parents helping their child understand their relationship to God more fully. The theme of understanding more about God, is summed up in the title of the book. The combination of the words and the beautiful photographs help the reader “feel” the things that are described in the book.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  The book uses a wide range of photographs to tell the story. In these photographs children will find other children, places and things that resemble the child and where they live, but they will also be introduced to other children and settings that look very different. Through these pictures children can learn that God is in all people and places and not just people that look and dress or live in similar places as they do.

Theological conversation partners: In reading this book to the children of my church I am reminded of two passages of scripture from the Gospel of Matthew: Matthew 19:14-15  and Matthew 28:20. I think both of these passages are very well represented in the book, and I have used both when I have used this book in preschool lessons. First, by the parents’ loving response to the child they reaffirm for the reader that they are not only welcomed by God, but encouraged to ask questions of and about God. Secondly, by illustrating for the child all the places that God lives, the parents have reinforced our belief that God is with us in all places, times and circumstances forever. One caution I would give to adults sharing this book with children is to emphasize the fact that, while God is present in all facets of our lives, God is still ONE God. The young children who will enjoy this book are very concrete thinkers, and can easily form the idea that God is many and not one. Adults need to keep this in mind as they read and discuss it with small children.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Where do you think God lives? (Ask this question before reading the book.)
2. Now that you have read the book, do you have other ideas of where God might live?
3. Which picture of one of God’s homes do you like best? Why?
4. How does it make you feel knowing God is so close to you?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Shasta Bode-Brown.