PPBF: Coming Home

Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Fridays, where we review picture books which we deem worthy of mention.  This concept was created by Susanna Hill, and is a helpful resource for librarians, teachers and parents.  For a list of all books reviewed so far, along with activities to complement them, click here.

Here is a book by favorite author of ours, and one that we own:

Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Justin Gerard
Publisher: Crossway Books
Date: 2007

Ages: 8-12

Genre: Allegorical tale based on Biblical doctrine of Heaven, and Christ's second coming to earth.

Themes: Heaven, Christian doctrine, Biblical Allegory, shipwrecks, deserted islands


Synopsis from back cover and jacket flap:

Twin brothers Arion and Argo are scared. They have spent most of their lives shipwrecked on the lonely, gray island of Terrene with their ship's captain, and now he is leaving and they cannot imagine life without him. He is going to Bluestone, a place where the birds always sing and the grass is ever green. He tells them he is going to prepare a place for them in Bluestone. Then he will come back for them, and they will all go to Bluestone together....

In the Bible Jesus Christ tells us that he is preparing a place for us in heaven, and that he will come back for us someday. He tells us that this world is not our home and we must be ready for his return. But sometimes we grow weary of waiting...and get sidetracked by its (the world) fun distractions....

Through this allegorical tale about the second coming of Christ, children will learn powerful lessons about faith, patience, and God's great mercy.

First paragraph: The two boys looked at the captain with astonishment. "You're leaving the island?" they said in one voice, which they often did because they were twins and were always thinking the same thing. "You can't leave the island!" Argo proclaimed. "Without you here we would be so...so..." "Alone!" Arion completed Argo's sentence, as he often did.

Why I like this book: Sometimes it's difficult to imagine as adults what Heaven would be like. And I'm sure, even more so for kids. I love books that bring to life doctrine in an engaging way. "Coming Home" does this masterfully! It gave me a deeper appreciating for Heaven, and a longing for it in a new way.

Here are a couple of activity links to complement the book:

Treasures in Heaven

Preschool Lesson on Heaven

A HOLY DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY: ELIZABETH

For the next week, I will share my "Christmas Musings," inspired by "The Miracle of the Christmas Child."  Today I continue to flesh out the characters in this beloved account of the birth of Christ, breathing life into a small portion of the story. 

www.bible-people.info

     That same confirmation would come from her cousin Elizabeth who herself, was holding miracle in her womb. Well past childbearing years, Elizabeth and Zacharias were to give birth to a man child. "His name shall be John", the angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias in the temple. His wife was now in her sixth month, and soon to be visited by a young girl from Nazareth.

     "Greetings, cousin! Peace be with you!", Mary had said. At the sound of her voice, the child within Elizabeth leaped for joy. "Why am I so privileged to have the mother of my Lord come to me?" Elizabeth questioned with wonder. How could she have known? Only God could have revealed that to her. 

     So, it was true. Finally, all the pieces flew together in one beautiful picture. Mary's heart could no longer hold it's joy. She burst forth in song, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the humble state of his handmaiden. From now on, all generations will call me blessed!" The words overflowed from her spirit as water in a fast flowing rocky stream. She praised God for His power and providence and yes, protection, in this troubled world.

Tomorrow....Joseph's story

Solomon's Sins: A to Z Blogging Challenge!

It's about time to share a portion of a Non-fiction picture book for older children which I wrote last year.  It's entitled, "You're on the Wrong Road, Solomon!"

It is based, of course, on the Biblical account of King Solomon in the book of I Kings, and is in keeping with the language and flavor of Old Testament times.

Here's the excerpt:

     Solomon, King of Israel, began his life and rule on the narrow road.  It was God and Solomon...room for two.

     "What would you like me to grant you, Solomon?" God asked the young king.
     Solomon remembered his father's words.  "Continue to walk in God's path, and obey Him, and He will surely bless you.  Then you will always have a son on the throne to rule Israel."

    King Solomon thought for awhile, and then gave God his answer.  "I am young, and your people are many.  Give me an understanding heart to discern right from wrong, so I can rule your people well."

     That answer pleased God, so He not only granted the new king a heart of wisdom, but riches and honor as well.  "There will not be another king like you in all your days," He promised.  "If you walk in My ways, as your father David, I will give you long life."

     Solomon's wisdom was soon put to the test.  

     One day two women, who had given birth to baby boys, came begging for justice. 
     "This woman and I each gave birth to a baby boy," one of the women said.  "In the middle of the night, she rolled over onto her son, and smothered him.  In the morning, she placed him by my side, and she took my son in his place."

     "No!" said the second woman.  She is lying...the baby is mine!"

     What should be done?  This was a hard task...but not too hard for Solomon.  "Bring me a sword," the King said to his servant.  All eyes were on Solomon.  A sword?  What was he thinking?

King Solomon

     Soon Solomon declared his intentions, and spoke to the servant holding the sword.  "Cut the baby in two, and give half to each mother," he said with confidence.

     A gasp was heard throughout the room!  "No," said the first woman, "please don't!  Spare the child's life and give him to the other woman."

Yes, yes," said the second woman. "Give us each half, for that is fair."

     "Ah ha!" exclaimed Solomon.  "Now I know to whom this baby boy truly belongs.  Give him to the first woman, for she is his mother."  What a wise King!  And Solomon continued down the narrow road His God had paved for him...

   Solomon obeyed and continued down God's straight and narrow path, prospering because of it.  But, his wife, the daughter of Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, did not believe in the one true God.  She worshipped many false gods on high places.  Many stones were found on Solomon's path, which caused him to stumble.

     One day, the Queen of Sheba came to witness Solomon's wisdom, and see his wealth and possessions for herself.  She came with camels bearing spices, with gold and precious jewels.  One question after another flowed from her lips, and the King answered them all!  

     When she discovered his wisdom, observed the house he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the cupbearers and the attendance of his waiters and their attire, and the stairway by which he went into the house of the Lord, it took her breath away!

     "How blessed you are, Solomon," the Queen of Sheba said, "and your servants and people as well.  God has shown them favor because of your wise words and ways!" She could see that blessing comes with wisdom.

  Even though God warned him, Solomon married more women from far away countries, where they knew nothing of the God of the Israelites.  They also worshipped and sacrificed to false gods, who could not see or hear.  Great festivals were held in their honor.  Since Solomon loved his wives, he wanted to please them, so he began to worship these gods, too. In his heart, he knew this was wrong.  He wanted to be faithful to the one true God.

     Solomon's path became broken down in places.  Sometimes, he took his eyes off the path.  It would widen a bit, and he would trip and almost fall...

That's not the end of the story!  Do you want to read more, or, have you had enough?  I'd love to hear your comments... both constructive criticism and praise.

Thanks for your help...we are all on a learning curve!

photo credit: Phillip Ratner: http://www.ratnermuseum.com/israelbiblemuseum/virtual/heroes/img0023.htm