Tag Archives: lessons

The Truth of the Story Makes it Worthwhile

Choosing books for Christmas is always a delightful experience. There are many from which to choose, so when selecting a book I ask myself how many things I might share with the children when we read this book. There needs to be more than the fun, excitement, and joys of the season. This helps me eliminate some and treasure others.

A Christmas TapestryThe Christmas Tapestry
by Patricia Polacco

One of my favorites is Patricia Polacco’s Christmas Tapestry. This story begins with the question that many children and adults both ask, “Why did God…?” Jonathan Weeks, a pastor’s kid, finds himself in Detroit, Michigan, where his father has taken the call to a new church, and asks his dad this age-old question. Who has not asked that question at some point? Yet, before the story ends, Jonathan and his family see how the Lord has woven a tapestry that is beautifully crafted to touch the lives of Jonathan, his family, and others in significant ways.

Lesson #1
God has a plan and we need to trust and walk obediently

When a blizzard hits Detroit, Jonathan and his father discover the church’s sanctuary has been damaged by snow and ice, the car won’t start, and waiting for a bus is bitterly uncomfortable when it is cold and snowing. This combination prompts a trip to town where they find a beautiful tapestry to hang over the damaged wall in the church, and meet an old woman who offers them hot tea. Father and son are shocked to learn that Rachel, the woman, created the tapestry as her chuppah many years earlier as a young bride in Germany. However, the real surprise comes a day later when the plasterer—who arrives to repair the wall— recognizes the tapestry as the one his bride made before they were separated and taken to Nazi concentration camps. Their reunion, so many years later, is the celebration that is well beyond a Christmas joy.

Lesson #2
The horror of the Holocaust

These lessons can be enhanced with additional children’s books. A wonderful story of the wedding chuppah is an integral part of Patricia Polacco’s The Keeping Quilt. The appliques on this quilt are family pieces, and the quilt has been used as the wedding chuppah for generations. Polacco includes this artifact in Mrs. Katz and Tush when Mrs. Katz describes her wedding chuppah. The chuppah has wonderful significance in each of these stories, and is a symbol of the banner of God’s love. Jewish history and customs enter into this story, as well as others. A is for Abraham: A Jewish Family Alphabet by Richard Michelson is a wonderful introductory piece for children to learn of these many special traditions.

The Keeping QuiltThe Keeping Quilt
by Patricia Polacco

Mrs Katz and TushMrs. Katz and Tush
by Patricia Polacco

A is for AbrahamA is for Abraham
by Richard Michelson

The events of the Holocaust are important for children of the 21st century to understand. Some people survived the Holocaust by escaping or by being released at the conclusion of the war. Others did not survive and are remembered today with regrets. There are excellent books that describe this tragic time in history. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry offers an account of a brave girl in Denmark who faces danger to rescue another. Similarly, The Butterfly by Polacco describes the events in France at the same time period, and Shulamith Levey Oppenheim reports these events in Holland in The Lily Cupboard. There were those who were able to leave Europe without being imprisoned there, but faced difficulties elsewhere, as in Rebekkah’s Journey: A World War II Refugee Story by Ann E. Burg. Bold attempts to protect the Jews are told in The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy and Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki. Choose from among these books to help readers of Christmas Tapestry understand the depth of fear and persecution that the Zukors—the old woman and her long-lost husband—faced, and thus the height of their joy when reunited.

Number the StarsNumber the Stars
by Lois Lowry		 The Butterfly
by Patricia Polacco
 The Lily CupboardThe Lily Cupboard
by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

 Rebekkah's JourneyRebekkah’s Journey
by Ann E. Burg

 The Yellow StarThe Yellow Star
by Carmen Agra Deedy		  Passage to FreedomPassage to Freedom
by Ken Mochizuki

Following the war, there were stories of others like the Zukors who survived. For older readers, share Hiding to Survive: Stories of Jewish Children Rescued from the Holocaust by Maxine B. Rosenberg (out of print) or Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps by Andrea Warren. These tell personal accounts of life changing events. For a similar story appropriate for younger readers, share Don’t Forget by Patricia Lakin (out of print) or Six Million Paper Clips: The Making Of A Children’s Holocaust Memorial by Peter W. Schroeder to help readers grasp the number of lives touched by this event.

Surviving HitlerSurviving Hitler
by Andrea Warren		 Six Million Paper ClipsSix Million Paper Clips
by Peter W. Schroeder

The Zukors immigrated to Detroit from Germany when they were released. Why Detroit? Explore the life of an immigrant with Russel Freedman’s Immigrant Kids. Although the time period of most accounts is earlier, the theme is beneficial to understanding the move to a new culture. The welcome to the USA is beautifully described in Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser. The account of this young Jewish author and her sonnet that became the words of welcome is a great addition when examining immigration.

Immigrant KidsImmigrant Kids
by Russell Freedman
 Emma's Poem: The Voices of the Status of LibertyEmma’s Poem
by Linda Glaser

Polacco often will tell her audiences that it is the truth of the story that makes it worthwhile. The Christmas Tapestry, described as a “true story,” includes truths that are so important for our children. It can be read over and over, allowing the reader or listener to be struck with the sovereignty of God who orchestrates tiny details as well as  immense events, and all for His glory. Read and rejoice with Jonathan and the Zukors who see God’s hand weaving a plan to bring joy to us and glory to Him.

Penny Clawson, Ed.D.  Although a resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for more than 30 years, Dr.  Clawson’s roots in New York City still can be detected if you listen very carefully. Her unique mixture of metropolitan, suburban, and rural experiences brings a varied perspective on life, Christian education, and the Lord. Penny grew up in New York City, attended college in center city Philadelphia, and then taught in York, Pennsylvania, at the Christian School of York for 15 years before coming to Lancaster in 1983 to begin her ministry at Lancaster Bible College. Penny’s love for the Lord, His word, children’s books, and her students is evident in any venue. 

A Picture Book Can Be Worth a Thousand Lectures

Every elementary school teacher knows the secret to a successful school year is not dependent upon phenomenal lessons delivered, but rather on classroom culture and learning environment. When a classroom is full of students at peace in mind and heart, they are ready to listen, collaborate, take risks, feel confident, and achieve. Once the learning environment is established, then teaching can have its power. Achieving this requires setting expectations at the beginning of the school year; to maintain it takes daily calibration, like a conductor tuning every instrument to play in harmony.

During my first years in the classroom, I used a lot of lectures to calibrate my classroom culture. I stated expectations for respect, taught valuable lessons about life, and instilled a desire for quality character traits. But many times, I felt my words falling on deaf ears. I can remember ranting, “Are you listening to me?” Or at the end of my stellar pep talk I’d say, “Repeat back what I just said,” only to have a student respond with a confused look. This made me realize his intergalactic tour was way more interesting than the words coming out of my mouth.

Looking back at my childhood, I remembered my mother teaching me many lessons through books, so I decided to try that approach. Thus began my children’s-literature obsession. I discovered a multitude of fabulous stories with captivating characters capable of lasting impressions. I realized these impressions could paint pictures worth a thousand words in the minds of my students, leaving nuggets of wisdom to ponder and apply to life situations.

I let the picture book do the talking,
and it started to make all the difference.

My pep talks, inspired by characters and books, soon sounded like, “This situation reminds me a lot of Mean Jean. What did Katie Sue do to solve her problem with Mean Jean? Do you think that might be something you could try?” I let the picture book do the talking, and it started to make all the difference. As a class, we took it a step further and created a “Wall of Wisdom” where we collected quotes or lessons learned from books that would help us deal with life’s obstacles. Suddenly, we were making connections between book characters and our own lives. I even heard students giving each other advice from the Wall of Wisdom.

It seems that our story-seeking, visual minds and innate desire for connections allows children’s literature to become a powerful tool—it can help shape the character and moral compass of both young and old. Here are 10 of my favorite children’s books that powerfully convey a valuable lesson.

The Quiltmaker's GiftThe Quiltmaker’s Gift
by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail de Marcken
Generosity — True happiness comes from what we give others, not from what we get from others.

Th Empty PotThe Empty Pot
written and illustrated by Demi
Honesty — “I admire Ping’s great courage to appear before me with the empty truth…”

The Story of Ruby BridgesThe Story of Ruby Bridges
by Robert Coles and illustrated by George Ford
Tough Times — Be courageous, forgive your enemies, and trust that God will make you strong.
Harmonious Social Perspective — Cultivating Confidence and Promoting Individuality

Stand Tall, Molly Lou MelonStand Tall Molly Lou Melon
by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow
Confidence and Individuality — Love who you are and “walk proudly.”

The Recess QueenThe Recess Queen
by Alexis O’Neill and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Bullies — Cure bullies with love.

CrickwingCrickwing
written and illustrated by Janell Cannon
Compassion — Sometimes when people are mean it’s because their love bucket is low;
they just need someone to help fill it up.

You Are SpecialYou Are Special
written by Max Lucado and illustrated by Sergio Martinez
Identity and Other’s Influence — “The stickers only stick if you let them.
The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers.”

WingsWings
written by Christopher Myers
Stand Up for Others — “Stop!” I cried. “Leave him alone.” And they did.
“Your flying is beautiful.” And for the first time, I saw Ikarus smile.

How Full Is Your BucketHow Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids
written by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer and illustrated by Maurie J. Manning
Encouraging Others and Selflessness —
“The strange thing was that for every drop he helped put in someone else’s bucket,
he felt another drop in his own bucket.”

Mr. Peabody's ApplesMr. Peabody’s Apples
written by Madonna with illustrations by Lauren Long
Judgment and Gossip — “It doesn’t matter what it looked like, what matters is the truth.
Next time, don’t be so quick to judge a person and remember the power of your words.”

Note: Since Mr. Peabody’s Apples is out of print, you may enjoy this similar title:
Help! A Story of FriendshipHelp! A Story of Friendship
written and illustrated by Holly Keller

Brynn Redmond is a Learning Specialist at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. With experience as an elementary classroom teacher and a reading specialist, Brynn has grown passionate about sparking a love for reading, writing, learning, and discovery inside young minds.