A progressive Christian curriculum that links meaningful children's books with sacred and spiritual teachings
Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their black side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups’ rules by sitting on top of the fence together. This book is a good selection near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Nancy Paulsen Books (2001).
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends. Chronicle Books (2000).
This is a well-written biography which introduces Francis as a frivolous yet charming “King of Youth” and follows him through his conversion and founding of the Franciscan order, and finally, to welcoming “Sister Death” at the end of his remarkable life. It also describes incidents such as Francis’ reconciliation with the wolf of Grubbio and his relationship with St. Clare, who started an order of nuns similar to the Franciscan brothers’ order. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2005).
As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari is surrounded by trees. But when she gets older, she sees the trees being cut down. Wangari is afraid that soon all the forests will be destroyed. So she decides to plant nine seedlings. And as they grow, so do her plans… This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one person’s passion, vision and determination can inspire great change. Clarion Books (2018).
This wonderfully illustrated book retells eight of Jesus’ parables and describes nine of his miracles, all in a conversational and contemporary way that is accessible to all. Reviewing these stories is a great way to familiarize children with Christ’s ministry and teachings, especially in the weeks leading up to Easter. Lincoln Children’s Books (2007).
A pride of peacocks notices that a flock of swans can both swim and fly, skills they do not possess. They wonder if the swans will use their superior strength against them. Soon they convince themselves that they are in danger, and begin stockpiling weapons. In response, the swans gather their own weapons. Fear and tension increase until the battle they have been preparing for breaks out. Two eggs survive, two chicks hatch, a swan and a peacock. They recognize one another as fellow birds, more alike than different, and stumble away to begin again. Clarion Books (2000).
When all of creation—trees, stones, ants, the sky, fish—begins arguing over who or what God is, quiet Old Turtle is the only one who has the wisdom and ability to see beyond herself to capture the essence. Old Turtle, after silencing the crowds with her understanding, makes a prediction about the appearance of a new “family of beings” in the world. These beings, humans, do appear, and soon are fighting among themselves over the nature of God. It is only when people start listening to the mountains and winds and stones and stars that they actually begin to hear—and to heal the earth. Scholastic Press (2001).
When the Selfish Giant builds a high wall around his lovely garden to keep the children out, the North Wind blows, the Frost comes and the Snow dances through the trees. The Giant wonders why Spring never comes to his cold, white garden. Then one day the Giant looks out to see a most wonderful sight… spring has returned thanks to an unusual child. As the Giant begins to welcome the children back, opening his heart to their presence, he is eventually rewarded by this tiny Christ-like child. Red Fox (2015).
Each kindness makes the world a little better. Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different—she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya. Nancy Paulsen Books (2012).
The author revisits this oft-told tale to demonstrate the pleasures of collaboration and mutual generosity. Two hungry travelers, denied food by the inhabitants of a mountain village, publicly declare that they can make soup from a stone. Only they need a carrot… and a potato… and a few more ingredients to make it taste really good. Everyone in the town contributes something, pronounces the soup delicious and learns the magic behind it: sharing. August House Publishers (2005).
