Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne

I love this author! I love this book!  There is so much here and yet one can easily miss it.  It is a simple story told from 4 differing perspectives about taking a trip to the same park.  The words tell part of the story, the fonts tell part of the story, the characters tell part of the story, THE ILLUSTRATIONS are the story!  Those who have "outgrown" pictures (or who think they are too good for pictures) will be lost and will miss the strength of the message. One of my favorite things about the book are the things to which each character is blind.  This book definitely is a wonderful display of what I read in Matthew 6:22-23:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

 "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." -1Samuel 16:7

Dax (almost 9) saw a stack of books and knew I had been to the library.  He just finished Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Lightening Thief and needed something for his 20 minutes of reading for homework. He asked me which I suggested. Upon first reading it alone, he rated it as "not my favorite."  He never once took notice of the pictures and read it strictly as he would a chapter book only he didn't even pick up the change in fonts.  Later while David had taken Cole to a birthday party and K was sleeping, I asked if he'd like to read it together; he conceded because he will take any snuggle time we get when the others are away.  As we read and discussed the pics, he became animated in the hunt for clues in the illustrations and began to interpret some things similarly to my earlier interpretations and some differently.  I realized that we too had different angles on the book much like the characters had different angles on the park; perspectives and opinions can be synonomous.  In that moment, my heart yearned to have my Father's angle on people and things.  I have been drawn to truth for much of my life both practically and Absolutely; begging Him at times to let me see reality and not my own perception.  But with Dax reading this book at this juncture I long for His Angle / His Opinion, to see the proverbial "park" not exactly as the "park" is but as He sees it!

This was momentary. Two days later and after this morning of getting the boys up and off to school, I confess I did not see them the way He does this morning.  I hope and pray for more moments and maybe just maybe moment by moment I will give to Him and become more like Him!

Fluffy and Baron by Laura Rankin

This is a warm tale of a unique friendship.  It reminds me of a friendship from the Bible where two people were often caught up in the plans God had for their individual lives that didn't afford them time to spend in one another's company.  Jonathan and David however, had a friendship from which we can learn the true meaning of friends. (1Samuel 18:1-4; 19-20; 23:16-18)

As I read about Fluffy and Baron I ponder how different seasons of life and times of responsibility take time away from my own time with friends. That doesn't mean that I don't think of them often and take moments to pray for them and be thankful for the time we do or have had.  This encourages me to also extend grace to those who may not be able to return calls or who must cancel appointments.

When reading with a child groundwork can be laid for times their friends may be unable to play or have time to spend.  That may not mean they are ending the friendship. It is a great encouragement for during those times for older children as well to help illustrate the other's perspective.  You can also discuss how some of the most different people can become the best of friends.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

This silly little book about feet has a great rhyme and gives giggles to all.  It shows how so many can be so different but still have feet in common.

What does the Bible say about feet?

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"- Romans 10:15 (It doesn't matter if those feet are going across the world or to the grocery store)

**great for doing pedicures with moms and daughters

Corduroy by Don Freeman

I adore this bear!! There are so many associations in the pages of this tale. I will touch on a few. Our attempts to work for grace (Ephesians 2:8)is similar to Corduroy hunting his button to cover his damage.  Christ redeeming us ( Gal 3:14; Gal 4:5;Psalm 103:4; Psalm 49:15) can be discussed after watching Lisa use her savings to buy Corduroy. Jesus loving us in our current condition and moving us to Christlikeness cloaked in his righteousness (Col 1:21-22; Hebrews 4:14-16- so much of Hebrews about our "High Priest" reconciling us) can be illustrated by Lisa's repairing Corduroy's shoulder strap.

What stirs me from Corduroy is his journey through the department store and into Lisa's presence. On the escalator, he thinks; in the home department, he guesses; at home with her, he KNOWS. In this world we "think" we want and then we get and it disappoints, we "guess" we want and it fails to deliver, but in Heaven we will KNOW it is where we have wanted to be all along!

"And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."- John 14:3



"For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." -Hebrews 11:10  2 Cor 5:8

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

This was one of my favorites when I was in school. I am not sure why I remember it so well but it is a vivid memory.

It is a great read when your kids are just having a stinky day to get them laughing and if your day is bad, you can read it to feel like Alexander has empathy for you;)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." *("even in Australia) * -John 16:33

Poems and Prayers for the Very Young selected and illus by Martha Alexander

This book has been a daily reading for all three of my children as toddlers.  There are some of my favorite poems printed within its pages, the two starred I have displayed in our home (one is a personal prayer and one a prayer for our home):

A Child's Prayer by M.Betham-Edwards
*Peace Be to This House -Unknown
God Be In my Head -Unknown
Out in the Fields with God by Louise Imogen Guiney
*A Child's Prayer by John Banister Tabb
Firefly by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Sleepy Song by Arthur Guiterman
The Gift by Christina G. Rossetti

So many of these cause me to recall different verses in the Bible, and the LORD's prayer is also printed in this book, but I am choosing:

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you."-Psalm 63:3 (NIV)

The entire chapter of Psalm 119 because of its display of love for not only God but His decrees and promises.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

If you've never spent much time with a toddler, this book may be just another beautifully illustrated adorable text. It is tempting to question why the bunny is so pressed to get away.  However, after a minute or so with an 18 month old darting the opposite direction of their caretaker's approach the words leap from the page and push the corners of your mouth into a knowing smile from deep within.  That toddler is wrapped up in the human condition and is wanting to determine the direction of their lives much like this bunny.

Spiritually this has happened often to me.  Before I even realize what I am doing, that independence sneaks in and I am hightailing it away from God's plan for my life.  I have caught the current of a new dream and am sailing away on my imaginations.  Unfortunately He has had to pursue me more times than I would like to admit, as this mother rabbit does.  He has always been faithful to love me when I return from having left Him in the dust.  The only glaring difference between this book and my experience with my Heavenly Father is the last line.  When the bunny concedes, "Shucks! I might just as well stay where I am and be your little bunny."  God's plan for my life has consistently come out far from a "Shucks!" It has repeatedly been very different from my "dirt for brains" dreams but has been more than I could have asked or imagined. "To be" His is so much more than anything else!

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
This verse is one of my favorites.  It first sparkled before my immature college age eyes as a promise that he was going to give me what I wanted as long as I delighted in Him.  As I look back with more wrinkled eyes from all the joy He has brought from a life somewhat far from what I thought it would be, I realize not only did he fulfill the desires, He actually planted certain desires in my heart of which I had never dreamed.


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse

As a mother, this has to be one of my absolute favorite books! This wise mother taught and encouraged me to be prepared, to look ahead, to anticipate the questions my children ask and to take a breath of thought before I answer.  As many accounts throughout Scripture attest to the challenge of sibling rivalry, this book illustrates the Truths of Psalm 139 that claim that we are each known and made distinctly, wonderfully, and fearfully, and above all else we are all, each one of us loved by our Father in Heaven.  As parents we can marvel at the variations of color that each child brings to our life, and love them each one more than we ever asked, imagined, or dreamed possible.

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Luke 12:7

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:16-19

What would our families look like if children together came to grasp how much each of them is loved by their parents, not in competition but in awe at the love that God can place in a heart for others within His family? What would the Bride of Christ look like if fellow saints truly believed they were loved and then turned to outpour that love on their fellow saints?

Farah: Reeses cup (smooth and delicious delivery of a very strong concept)

Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young

This cute short book has its own amazing moral at the end, but I have loved to use it to emphasize how accounts of the Bible must be put together to know God in the deepest sense.  People throughout history have tried to take segment Scripture, but it is only finding its entire repetitive, rhythmic Heartbeat for humanity that you can deeply relate with Him in this life and forever!

The New Testament has its own perspectives of several men who watched and described the life of Jesus.  The details that one can glean from reading the same account from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John can reveal him and his truths in amazing color, much like the little hero of this book, taking in the whole.

Activity: Place two or more children on different sides of an object and have them each describe what they see.  Then compare and contrast the perspectives.  The boys and I did this describing a flat screen T.V. with a video game paused on the screen.  Dax who was looking from the side described it as a narrow tall strip with control buttons and light coming from the side.  Cole pointed out its width, the lighted words pause and continue coming from the whole thing.  It was the same object and their descriptions were both very true but when put together gave the whole picture.

Farah: Peanut M&Ms (fun with a bit of protein)
Cole:Skittles (it is so colorful)

Riot Brothers sequel by Mary Amato

We read 3 of these books the summer of 2012 each day. Like King Arthur, Cole read the chapter title, Dax read the first page of the chapter, and I would read the rest.  We had SO many laughs with this one! There were many boy elements like bodily functions, etc., so I recommend that parents read it first. (I would read a chapter ahead when they were involved in some other activity). However, there were some good family elements as well. One that we picked up on was how often the older brother found ways to compliment and encourage the younger and how much the younger brother seemed to respect the older. They were also always a TEAM!! They may have gotten into mischief but they were completely TOGETHER the whole time.  I also loved the mom and felt for her as a mother of boys.  I did wonder why the father figure was missing (that could go either way depending on the family situation of the readers).

Farah: Angel food cake (so light and fun)
Dax: Funfetti Cake (such a fun playful book)
Cole: Chocolate Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Classic Starts The Story of King Arthur and His Knights

Retold from the Howard Pyle original by Tania Zamorsky

The boys and I read through this during the summer of 2012 taking a few chapters a day.  It is broken up into books with a few chapters in each book.  It has great character lessons and of course, fantastic examples of chivalry. The boys would ask to read more.  I did most of the reading but Cole would read the chapter titles (just finished Kindergarten) and Dax would read the first page of the chapter (had just finished 2nd grade).

Farah: Cookie Cake
Dax: Chocolate Cake with chocolate icing
Cole : Hershey Pie

Tiger Can't Sleep by S.J. Fore

I adore this book and so do all three of the kiddos! It is very fun to read especially ALOUD! From a reading and language perspective, it is great for kids to practice nonsense words.  It pulls the beauty out of the sleepless nights of being a parent.  It is like the memory of that hand print on the window that used to drive you nuts that you wish you could get back just once more.

It also is a wonderful illustration of all the things we do to distract ourselves from the hardship of life and how wonderful it is to run to Him!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Farah: Pop Rocks (makes your mouth come alive and sends a smile from one side of your face to the other) 
Dax: Starburst (easy and fun to read, easy and fun to eat)
Cole: Push Pop Slider (really like them both)

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr.Seuss

This is my "most-read" book! According to my mom, it was my favorite as a child. I think she actually hid it at one point because she wanted to read something else.  It has been a repetitive read with my own children and with several different groups of teenage girls.  It is, of course, applicable as many preschool's use it to teach young children to try new foods. It works well as a motivator to get them to try new experiences.  My favorite is how I have shared with girls to try new relationships.  Over the last 15  years, I have heard girls and women as well size up a woman they may not have even met as one with whom they would not get along.  I have unfortunately done this too with two extremely special people only to be proven TOTALLY wrong later in life.
My "green egg" friend happened in 6th grade. For many years, we had a mutual friend with whom I went to school and she lived down the street who told us both that the other did not like us.  We believed and reciprocated until the 6th grade! We were not enemies just whenever we were in the same place in our small town we just didn't engage.  I had switched schools in the 4th grade and she ended up sitting in the desk immediately in front of me in Homeroom.  There was a little fellow in the next row who had never been taught how to treat girls and we both new to survive the year with him we needed to support each other.  We gave it a try and she is one of my dearest friends and favorite people this 22 or so years later.  One would think I would have learned, but NO!
In my early 20s, I met my "green ham" friend. David and I found ourselves in the family room of a pastor and his wife who were going to share some information about moving across the country to begin a new church.  In walks a tall girl who was also interested in the move.  We met and began to talk.  Being extremely short, I was already very opposite her.  She was much more interested in athletics than myself, still in college, and very competitive. These only added more differences. I wasn't so sure we would be very close even though it appeared we were moving to the same place.  She later confided she had felt very similar. Once again, I was WRONG!  As the years have passed we have shared many exciting moments and times together and now wish we were still in the same state!

Trying foods adds flavor to life, trying experiences adds fun, trying friends adds love and support.  However, giving God, Jesus, and the Bible a chance are the absolute most CRUCIAL!  We must be careful or we will miss out!

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."-Psalm 34:8

Farah: Snicker's bar (it's got it all - a little Spiritual protein, caramel, and chocolate)
Dax:
Cole:

My Brother by Anthony Browne

This book is amazing!! So simple; yet so powerful! The artwork is adorable and has some hidden humor that little eyes need some extra study time to find.  We have used it to underscore that just because one brother is awesome does not take away from the awesomeness of the other brother (or sister)!



Oh to take this into the "brotherhood" of fellow men and especially the church body!

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" -Psalm 133:1

"Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble."- 1 Jn 2:10

Uh-Oh Calico! by Karma Wilson

This board book is one I checked out of the library.  If ever an illustration of the unconditional love God can teach us about through our own parenting experience, this is it!  I am not what you would call a "cat person" but I love this book! Calico is a bit clumsy and a bit messy and she recognizes her imperfection but Mama will "always love" mistakes and all.

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. -Psalm 36:7

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." - Romans 3:23-24

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish buy have eternal life." - John 3:16

Practical fun: when  reading it,  it is fun to have child in lap on floor and at the "uh-oh" part, both of you rock back and raise back up!  (Good for your core, back and abs:)