Based on the 14 best picture books for teaching young children about Bible Stories with a U.U. perspective, plus an Introductory session and a session making their own Picture Book.
Note: You must order the picture books separately. You may request the books from your local library or bookstore. Download the Book list here: There is also a Listmania list on Amazon.comso that you can order the books used or new. Estimated cost will be between $40.00 and $80.00 for the entire set, depending on whether you order new or used.
Order it! Your options:
1) Order an instant electronic PDF file.
PDF e-file: $60.00
Note: Push the "Return to UU Curricula" button on your PayPal receipt for your instant download link.
or
2) Order a hard copy. $60.00 for your first copy and $30.00 for additional copies. Free media mail shipping! Download the order form.
or
3) Pay by check and receive the download link. Download the order form.
Download these sample sessions to check out the easy, creative and meaningful ways that Picture Book Bible Tales will guide teachers and engage young children!
#5 - Joseph by Brian Wildsmith
The tale of eleven brothers who sell their favored brother into slavery is a story about envy, greed, and power, but also a story about love, compassion, and forgiveness. A bitterly divided family is drawn together and in the process changes the course of nations.
#12 The Wisdom Bird: A Tale of Solomon and Sheba retold by Sheldon Oberman
The story expresses respect for different people, creatures and forms of wisdom. King Solomon is wise and so is the Queen of Sheba. The queen travels from Africa to the ancient city of Jerusalem to learn whether King Solomon can put his wisdom to work.
The story of Mary, mother of Jesus, is told in a beautiful book with each page framed in gold. This is the story from her birth to Anna and Joachim, the visit by the angel Gabriel, the Christmas story and the childhood of Jesus. Finally we join with Mary as she experiences the sorrow of the cross and her crowning as Queen of Heaven, the eternal face of compassion.
Children are reminded that there is a female presence in the Christian story and that U.U.’s value stories about boys and girls, men and women in our tradition.
From the Introduction to Picture Book Bible Tales:
Welcome to Picture Book Bible Tales! This curriculum is fun, friendly and concise with teachable moments that introduce classic Bible Tales to young elementary children.
It’s easy for Teachers to use with:
Heart melting picture books as the focus of the session.
A clear and simple session plan.
Ready to copy parent take home sheets/ classroom door page.
Multiple options for activities for advance planners and Saturday night planners.
It’s easy for Ministers, Directors and Coordinators to use with:
An Amazon Listmania™ List of all the Picture Books to order used or new.
A complete booklist for requesting them from your local bookstore or library.
A scripted Parent and Teacher Orientation Session.
A list of Options that need Advance Preparation by Session.
Web versions of lists so you can customize them.
Suggestions for implementing more or fewer sessions.
Plus it’s fun for the children with options for:
Principles and Sources Hopscotch game
Mummy making
Grape baby Moses’
A living Nativity
A “we-ma-way” lions den
“The Whale Belly” role play
Classical bible songs
Ethiopian popcorn popping
and a “David and Goliath” marshmallow target game.
I’ve selected the 14 best books that I could find that illustrate classic Bible tales that our U.U. children should know. Each book must meet my high requirements for use in my own Religious Education program. Each book needs to have engaging illustrations of the right size for reading aloud, use language appropriate for primary aged children, and have the right amount of text. In addition, there are sessions for Introducing the Bible and Creating Your Own Picturebook.
Each accompanying session includes:
• set up suggestions,
• an entering activity,
• a sharing circle,
• 3 - 6 activity choices,
• a closing statement,
• teacher background information,
• and a parent handout for taking home or for posting on the classroom door.
Picture Book Bible Tale Downloads - adapt these for your own use!
1) Sortable spreadsheet of each PBBT Session with the Principle, Belief, UU Identity, and Theme represented by the session. For example, sort the spreadsheet to find all the sessions on the First Principle "Each person is worthwhile" or on the theme of "Christmas." See the U.U. Equations page for a description of the Principles, Sources and Beliefs used in PBBT.
2) List of Items needed in Advance for use by the R.E. leader or during Parent Orientation or on the classroom door. Who might have a cat to bring in for "Daniel and the Lion's Den," or a creche to share for the "Jesus" session? As always, these are entirely optional, and there are other suggestions for activities.
