Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: Joy and Wonder in all God’s Works, Years A, B and
C
By Janet E. Lloyd, Via Media Publications, 1994-1996
-
What is the purpose of this resource?
The subtitle of this book is “Contemporary Children’s Literature, Fables and Folk Tales illustrating the Sunday Scriptures”. The book is intended to be a resource to those who are responsible for planning a children’s sermon or time by giving that person stories from children’s literature to illustrate lectionary texts for the day. - What characteristics
or components does this resource view as essential to worship and/or the
sacraments?
This resource deals only with the Proclamation of the Word as a component of worship. It assumes that children are a part of the corporate worshipping community. - What, if any,
particular theological perspective or agenda is present within this
material?
Stories are reflective of the way that the history of the people of God have come to be known. Jesus taught frequently using stories. God continues to speak to us through a variety of stories, and children’s stories provide an avenue through which the stories of the Bible can be understood more clearly. This resource is based on the Episcopal Lectionary, which is slightly different from the Revised Common Lectionary that many Presbyterian churches use. - For whom is this
resource intended (age group, interests, etc)?
In what settings (classroom, home, etc.)?
The resources is designed to be used in a worship setting. That setting may be in corporate worship or it might be in a worship time during church school. The material included in this book could also provide supplemental resources for church school classes that use a curriculum based on the Lectionary. Although most of the books chosen range from preschool to upper elementary grades, there are a few books chosen that target grades 6-9. - What type of learning
activities are included in the lessons?
Reading or telling a story from children’s literature and making brief comments about the story in relation to the Biblical text is the form that each week takes. - How is the resource
structured? (Lesson plans,
retreats, weekly meetings, worship services, etc.)
Each volume of this resource is based on one of the three years of the Lectionary’s cycle. On each Sunday, the author has chosen a specific story to go along with the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel reading. Each Sunday has a printed collection, a synopsis of the particular story, and a one paragraph comment that ties in the story with the passage it is intended to interpret. - How much does this
resource cost, and what is included in the price?
Each volume is listed at $14.95, but the book is no longer in print. It is available for borrowing through the Extension Services department of the Union-PSCE Library. Amazon.com also indicates that they might be able to get it for you. - What kind of
leadership is necessary for the material?
What does the leader need to know or do prior to each week?
A leader would need to go the Library and check out the particular book to be read and then practice reading the story or telling it aloud. In some cases, a local library may not have the book, but almost all books can be gotten through interlibrary loan if you allow enough time! Planning ahead would be helpful here! Some adaptation might have to be made for those that use other Lectionaries, but frequently, what is used one Sunday in the Episcopal Lectionary might be one of the passages used in the Revised Common Lectionary the next Sunday. - What strengths and/or
weaknesses do you find in this material?
Children love stories, and stories can be wonderful vehicles to “tell a truth”. The stories that the author has chosen are from a wide variety of cultures, written for a variety of age groups, and in general, expose anyone to the great treasure that exists in children’s literature for the life of the church. This reviewer did not always feel that the stories chosen were on target, but the idea of the book is excellent and enough of the stories are well chosen to make this an outstanding resource.