Page 20 - pc_Issue6_Summer2018

Connection
BOOK REVIEWS
A Review of Read, Wonder, Listen
20
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2018
presbyterian.ca
By the Rev. Emily Bisset,
Calvin Presbyterian Church, Toronto
Read, Wonder, Listen: Stories from the Bible
for Young Readers
Written by Laura Alary, Wood Lake Publishing, 2018
“In the beginning was the idea.
The idea came from God and was part of God.
Yet it seemed to have a life of its own.
The idea fluttered around the world. Creating. Inspiring. Enlightening. Awakening.
It was in every place and time.
But in one place and one time,
it came to rest.
Not in a great city like Rome or Je- rusalem,
but in a tiny village called Nazareth.”
As we eagerly await the release of Laura Alary’s new book, Read, Wonder, Listen: Stories from the Bible for Young Readers, I had the privilege of getting a glimpse at some of her Advent stories in manu- script form. Each story is brief and peppered with engaging details to draw young listeners deeper into the story. The characters are mak- ing bread, daydreaming, frowning, laughing, tossing and turning in the night, and trying to make sense of what they see and hear.
Alary’s expression of the emotions in the story are fresh and realistic, as the characters experience worry and fear, joy and wonder, confusion and hope in ways that children can feel themselves. The dialogue in the stories is as real as overhearing a conversation in the next room as the people in the stories wonder, ex-
claim, blurt things out, speak “silkily” and bubble up with joy.
Alary’s descriptions of God are rich and inspiring, moving us gently beyond traditional conceptions of God to a wider scope of God’s na- ture. For example, in one story God is the Creator of the stars. In another story, God is the One who breathes life into us. This book will expand our thinking about who God is, which is particularly important for children as we follow the Scripture’s lead in of- fering them a broad range of images of God.
In addition, as a New Testament scholar, Alary weaves interesting exegetical insights into the text in accessible ways. She describes in simple language why pilgrims go to the temple in Jerusalem and what they might do there. She tells us that Bethlehem means, “house of bread.”
She gives insight into the meaning of the magi’s gifts to the Christ Child.
Getting a taste of these stories made me all the more excited to read this book cover to cover and explore with my congregation and our chil- dren how Alary will tell stories from across the Biblical narrative. During Advent, we invited children to partici- pate in reading these familiar stories in worship as fresh expressions of familiar stories, and they were ap- preciated by all generations. Children and adults alike clearly get the mes- sage that “life is a messy mixture of joy and sadness, beginnings and endings, but God is there through all of it.”
Alary’s whole range of children’s literature draws us into important theological conversations that “make us bigger on the inside” as all stories should do (Myra and the Big Story).
Through her books, we learn about how to give generously (Jesse’s Sur- prise Gift), pray for those we love in difficult situations (How Do I Pray for Grandpa?), resist gender stereotypes (Victor’s Pink Pyjamas), and under- stand truth (Is That Story True?) in ways that are engaging and acces- sible for all ages.
STIRRED
NOT SHAKEN FAITH ACTIVATED | II TIMOTHY 1:3-8
CY2018 July 2-7, 2018 BrOCk UnIVErsITY, sT. CATHArInEs
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Register at presbyterian.ca/canada-youth-2018
Five faithful days, four unique Tracks, hundreds of enthusiastic Presbyterians!
CONTACT Jo Morris, CY Coordinator 403.982.0094 cy@presbyterian.ca • presbyterian.ca/cy
Youth Track | Graduated Grade 9 to Age 19
Discipleship Track | Graduated High School to Age 25
Youth Ministry Training Track | Age 18+
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