Kingdom Travel: How to Pack Your Bag

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt 9:14

More often then not, we adults can learn important things from young children. Jane G. Meyer's newest picture book The Suitcase has us doing just that!  This sweet story celebrates a young child's enthusiasm to put into practice the words of Christ: to feed and clothe the poor; help the needy; and love one's neighbor.

Thomas feels safe in his ordered life on his family's farm. He happily spins in circles for hours while reciting the alphabet, chats with his goat each morning, and then lines up his whole collection of blocks - starting from his upstairs bedroom and ending down in his backyard.

But one Sunday, after coming home from church, Thomas does something unexpected. To the surprise of his questioning family, he shows up at the dinner table with...a suitcase!

When his mother asks him where he's going, he replies, "To the Kingdom of Heaven." As he begins to show his family the contents of his suitcase, they (and we, the readers) are touched by what he's packed, and how he's literally taken to heart the messages of Jesus' parables.

If you're a parent, you have undoubtedly observed that for young children (and especially those on the autism spectrum), abstract ideas can be difficult, so things they hear are often interpreted in a very literal, concrete way.

But shouldn't we all be more like children?  Thomas has packed food and clothing for the poor, a platter to serve them, some coins, a mustard seed, and a pearl, among other things.

And thank goodness no one laughs at him when he asks, "So, can I go now?" His father gently explains that the Kingdom of God is right here, and that Thomas - because of his giving heart - has already gone through its gate and is on the path.

The story ends with Thomas's family joining him on his journey, as they share the Kingdom with others by serving a meal to the homeless.  May we all be inspired to "pack our bags" with good things for God's Kingdom.

Nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is in your midst. - Luke 17:21

Chiara Pasqualotto's warm and soothing watercolor illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Jane's sweet storytelling.
Published by Paraclete Press, The Suitcase is available there, and on Amazon.
Click here for Jane's awesome Activity Guide to the book.

NOTE: I received an advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

What Was God Thinking...?

On the first and last pages of her exquisite new picture book, When God Made You, Jane G. Meyer poses a question to young readers: "What beautiful thing was God thinking when he made you?"

Jane's lyrical text and Megan Elizabeth Gilbert's vibrant water color illustrations celebrate God's special masterpieces: children, of all diverse backgrounds and unique talents.

I'm sure that kids of every age will enjoy pouring over the book while being introduced to boys and girls from all over the world...Makani from Hawaii; Brigid from Ireland; Chinedu from Africa; and Mateo from Greece, to name a few.

My favorite is an Arabic girl, Alia...

When God made Alia, He took black silken hair from a desert horse's mane, 

wound the strands round a silver flute, 
and blew one note into the sleeping child's ear.  

From a cool desert spring, God shaped three tear-shaped droplets 
onto Alia's lips and blessed them: 
one for clarity, one for purity, and one for boldness. 

Satisfied, God said

Alia, SING! 

This book is carefully crafted from cover to cover - the last pages are devoted to beautiful thoughts and prayers.  There are also explanations running around the outer edges of the pages disclosing the meanings of the children's names featured in the book, as well as their country of origin.  

Would you like a chance to win this book?  I'm doing a Giveaway today!  Please leave a comment for a chance to win Jane G. Meyer's When God Made You.  Giveaway ends February 23, 2016 at midnight.  Winner announced on my blog a week from today, 2/24/16. Update, 2/24/16:  Giveaway over.  Congratulations to my winner, Rebeca!

I love the fun end papers showing all kinds of children doing all kinds of things!  Maybe one looks like your child...

First Feasts of February: St. Brigid's Day and a Day for Candles and Hedge- um, that is - Groundhogs

St. Brigid's Day is today, February 1st.  Celebrate by reading a special book and making a St. Brigid cross!

"Brigid saw Christ in everyone she met, and had

a particular love for those less fortunate than herself."

St. Brigid, a contemporary of St. Patrick, founded a monastery in Kildare in the 6th century. It is said that she converted her father to Christianity while making a cross from rushes. You can try your hand at making a St. Brigid cross, like this one, by going here.

In those early Christian times the farmers adopted the custom of making crosses of straw at the beginning of spring to protect their holding, placing the St. Brigid's Crosses in prominent positions in their houses and buildings.The tradition of making St. Brigid's Crosses on St. Brigid's Feast Day continues to the present day.

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THE LIFE OF SAINT BRIGID, Abbess of Kildare, has been lovingly told by Jane G. Meyer. Zachary Lynch's captivating and colorful illustrations are full of Celtic influence. 

Brigid's father, a chieftain, becomes weary of Brigid's generosity and takes her away to be sold to a neighboring king.  While the deal is being settled with the king, Brigid gives away her father's sword to a poor leper.  The king, realizing that Brigid would give away his wealth as well, advises Brigid's father to release her from slavery and grant her freedom. 

Her prideful father yields to the plan, but tries to force Brigid to marry - which leads Brigid to scar her own face, in order to be left alone by her family.  They finally understand her desire to devote herself purely to Christ, and she is allowed to become a nun,

"...marrying Christ and His Church instead of man.

And as a sign of God's hand upon her, the scar on her cheek was healed

as the priest placed the white veil upon her head."  

In this book, your child will learn how Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, tended sheep and the poor, founded convents, worked miracles, and visited kings.  St. Brigid is known today as a patron of travelers, healers, and midwives; and a protector of flocks and herds, and newborn babies.

A second February Feastday:
Tomorrow is another big day - many of you may be thinking about the Super Bowl or even Groundhog Day, but February 2 is one of the important 12 Feasts of the Church, when we bring our candles to be blessed.

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In the Eastern Orthodox Church, we refer to it as "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple" (described in Luke, chapter 2); it is known as "Candlemas" in the West.

Why the emphasis on candles and light?  Because of St. Simeon's prophecy in Luke:

"Lord now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a Light to enlighten the nations and to be the glory of Thy people Israel."

Traditionally, if the sun shone on "Candlemas Day" - February 2 - Europeans believed the hedgehog would cast a shadow and another six weeks of winter was inevitable.

If Candlemas be fair and bright, 

Come, winter, have another flight. 

If Candlemas brings cold and rain,
Go, winter, and come not again.

A Hedgehog stand-in: The Groundhog
When the first Germans arrived in North America, no hedgehogs were to be found. But another similar animal, the groundhog - or woodchuck - was here.

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Believed by the native Indians to be "a wise and sensible animal," the groundhog became a hedgehog stand-in. So that is how the American the tradition of "Groundhog Day" was born.

Find my past posts, HERE about some literary hedgehogs (they're waaay cuter then groundhogs)!

 

A Sweet Song For Christmas

Author Jane Meyer has just added another wonderful children's book to her growing list of works (all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed - and know you will too!) You can read my reviews of her other books here.

I'm personally quite excited about Jane's newest book, Sweet Song, not only because I'm blessed to count Jane as a friend, but also because as a longtime choir singer I've considered the story of St. Romanos "the Melodist" as one of my favorites.

Young Romanos is devoted to Christ and His Mother and longs 

to be able to sing his praises to them.  But when he tries, 

his voice croaks and the words won't come.  

The other cantors make fun of him - 

until one miraculous Christmas Eve.

St. Romanos has long been honored and remembered as a prolific writer of sacred songs from sixth-century Constantinople, but he was not always looked up to for his hymnography - or singing!

Jane's descriptive narrative and Dorrie Papademetriou's luminous illustrations make Romanos' story come alive for kids of all ages.

Children will feel the range of emotions that young Romanos experiences: his awe at the presence of God in the glorious fifth century Byzantine church, Hagia Sophia; his contentment in completing his duties at the church; his sadness at being unable to sing well; his fear and embarrassment when he tries and fails and is made fun of; his fervent prayer for God's help and tears before the icon of the Virgin Mary; and his surprise and thankfulness when God grants him a miracle.

This book is now available here from Ancient Faith Publishing, and is not to be missed!  At the back of Jane's book, you'll find further information about St. Romanos and the history of Hagia Sophia.

WHAT'S ON MY SPRING BOOKSHELF?

Spring is here, and Easter is near! Yesterday was the first official day of Spring. To celebrate, I got out some special books just for you. Any of these picture books make great Spring reading, and would be perfect for a child's Easter basket (watch for my next post: ideas for making book-themed Easter baskets). 

Right click on the titles for descriptions of each book.  I've listed them from left to right on the shelf...

1- What Do You Hear, Angel? Elizabeth Crispina Johnson/Masha Lobastov.
2- The Three Little Pigs, Paul Galdone  
3- Home for a Bunny, Margaret Wise Brown/Garth Williams
4- The Paintbrush Bunny, Adrienne Adams
5- The Hidden Garden, Jane G. Meyer/Masha Lobostav
6- Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, Charlotte Zolotow/Maruice Sendak
7- Because You are My Baby, Jennifer Ward/Sylvia Long 
8- Easter Eggs For Anya, Virginia Kroll/Sally Wern Comport

Do you have a favorite Spring-themed book?  I'd love to know what it is!

DIG IN...To Lent...With Books!

(photo from Gwinnettmagazine.com)

Lent is a journey toward the Hope and Joy of Christ's Resurrection. It is a chance for us to slow down with our families and to focus and examine the condition of our spiritual life - which like a seedling plant, needs to be cultivated through prayer, fasting, acts of charity, and repentance.

A lovely new book from Jane G. Meyer illustrates this examination and cultivation perfectly: The Hidden Garden, illustrated by Masha Lobastov.
Within every heart is a hidden garden. We can neglect it until the weeds take over and the flowers wither and die. Or, with the help of Christ, we can care for it and make it a place of beauty, grace, and joy. This charming parable will encourage children (and adults) to open the gate to Christ and tend the garden of their heart with loving care. -Product description from Conciliar Press (update 12/13 - now Ancient Faith Publishing).

Don't miss Jane's new picture book - here just in time for Lent!  Through the eyes of an old man we learn how our heart can be like a desert, where we wander all alone with our anger and selfishness, not even willing to open the gate to Someone who knocks.  

How can we find the key that will let Him in to show us "how to turn the desert into a place of color and beauty"?  You'll have to get the book to find out (and I guarantee it's a beautiful place you'll want to step into over and over again!) 

Children will also like the practical tips "To Help Tend Your Garden" at the end of the book - reminders for everyday, but especially as Lent starts.

BE STILL...

This is a photo of my dad, Fr. Peter Gillquist (of blessed memory),
as a little boy - taken in the 1940's for a church bulletin.

The gift of Lent is that it is a time of preparation - to draw closer to God and to acknowledge that He is the reason that we exist.  We need to seize this opportunity with our children to grow spiritually, so that it doesn't become just a "what-food-are-you-giving-up-for-Lent?" experience.

Books About Prayer for Kids...

Prayer For A Child
by Rachel Field

The Monk Who Grew Prayer
by Claire Brandenburg

Anytime, Anywhere: A Little Boy's Prayer
by Marcus Hummon

Give Me Grace... A Child's Daybook of Prayers,
by Cynthia Rylant

Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book,
by Annalisa Boyd

Hear Me: A Prayerbook for Orthodox Teens

    

More Lenten Reading:

FOR KIDS & TEENS:

The Tale of Three Trees, by Angela Elwell Hunt

The Book of Jonah, by Niko Chocheli

The Life of St. Brigid, by Jane Meyer

Saint Patrick, Enlightener of the Irish, by Zachary Lynch

The Blackbird's Nest, St. Kevin of Ireland, by Jenny Schroedel

Song of the Swallows, by Leo Politi

Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson

Letters to St. Lydia, YA Novel by Melinda Johnson

FOR PARENTS/ADULTS:

Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann

The Lenten Spring by Thomas Hopko

The lenten spring shines forth,

the flower of repentance!

Let us cleanse ourselves from all evil,

crying out to the Giver of Light:

Glory to You, O Lover of man!

-from Cheesefare Wednesday Vespers

SAINTS OF THE BRITISH ISLES

CONCILIAR PRESS offers three wonderful picture books for children, about three different saints of the British Isles.  You can order them through Conciliar's website.

The first, THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK, is written and illustrated by Zachary Lynch.  Most of us grew up with the custom of wearing green on St. Patrick's Day and we may have even heard that St. Patrick used the clover (shamrock) to teach the people of Ireland about the Holy Trinity.  But do you know the story of how sixteen-year-old Patrick arrived on the island of Hibernia (the ancient name for Ireland), left, and eventually returned as a missionary?

Lynch's gorgeous Celtic illuminations bring the story to life, and draw us into the isolated land of a pagan Irish King and his druids.  St. Patrick faced many dangers, but said, 

"I was not afraid of these things, because of the promise of heaven,

because I have thrown myself into God's hands,

who reigns over all things."

The second book is THE LIFE OF SAINT BRIGID, Abbess of Kildare, lovingly told by Jane G. Meyer.  Again we see Zachary Lynch's captivating and colorful illustrations, full of Celtic influence.

"Brigid saw Christ in everyone she met, and had

a particular love for those less fortunate than herself."

Her father, a chieftain, becomes weary of Brigid's generosity and takes her away to be sold to a neighboring king.  While the deal is being settled with the king, Brigid gives away her father's sword to a poor leper.  The king, realizing that Brigid would give away his wealth as well, advises Brigid's father to release her from slavery and grant her freedom. 

Brigid's prideful father yields to the plan, but tries to force her to  marry - which leads Brigid to scar her own face, in order to be left alone by her family.  They finally understand her desire to devote herself purely to Christ, and she is allowed to become a nun,

"...marrying Christ and His Church instead of man.

And as a sign of God's hand upon her, the scar on her cheek was healed

as the priest placed the white veil upon her head."  

The rest of the story is about Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, who tends sheep and the poor, founds convents, works miracles, and visits kings.  St. Brigid is known today as a patron of travelers, healers, and midwives; and a protector of flocks and herds, and newborn babies.  

THE RAVENS OF FARNE, by Donna Farley, with illustrations by Heather Hayward, is a story from the life of St. Cuthbert, who lived in England in the 7th Century A.D.  When he moves to the Island of Farne, he is greeted by the many birds that inhabit the island. 

"The birds built nests to hold their eggs,

And the monk built a place to hold his prayers."

After St. Cuthbert plants grain and is harvesting it, the birds suddenly descend and try to steal it.  The monk is surprised as he tells them:

"If God Himself has said you may, I will give you leave to eat.

But if not -

- if not, stop taking what is not yours and be off!"

You'll have to read the story to find out what happens and how the birds end up helping the Saint.  To this day, it  is a law on the Farne Islands that people may not hurt the birds who dwell there!