Precious and the Boo Hag - Halloween & Childhood Fears

Title: Precious and the Boo Hag, by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss

Word Density: Moderate

My recommended age-appropriateness: Preschool to 12

Preschool Themes:

1. Scary Stories.

2. African-American stories.

3. Being Brave.

4. Halloween.

5. Doing what is right.

Christian Themes:

1. Obedience.

2. Evil can come like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

3. Fear.

4. Spiritual authority in Jesus.

Summary:

Precious is a strong-willed and imaginative child left at home alone while her family is out in the fields working. She's had a sick stomach and as a result, is left home to recuperate and do some light chores. Her mother admonishes Precious to stay out of her stuff, keep the place neat, and. above all, "don't let nothing and nobody in this house!" But Precious's brother sees an opportunity to have some fun. He warns her that there's a Boo Hag lurking around that will do anything "to make you disobey yo' mama." Suspicious of the truth to her brother's claims, and nearly reassured by a precocious friend who pops by, Precious begins poking around in her mother's best clothes and having a marvelous time having the house all to herself. It doesn't take too long, though, for an uninvited guest to try to come in. Precious rallies herself, and in a test of character that would make her mama proud, the little girl discerns and foils every evil trick the Boo Hag tries on her. The story ends with a victorious, if slightly scary, note. The delightful deep-South African-American diction and the beautiful and original mixed-media illustrations combine with a fun and playfully frightening tale to make Precious and the Boo Hag a fun addition to any storytime.

Scripture connections:

1. Romans 16:19 (New Century Version) "All the believers have heard that you obey, so I am very happy because of you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."

2. Matthew 7:15 (New Century Version) "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you looking gentle like sheep, but they are really dangerous like wolves."

3. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

4. Luke 10:19 (NKJV) "Behold, I give you the authority... over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Song Suggestions:

1. "Be Strong and Courageous" by Colin Buchanan from his "Jesus Rocks the World" CD. Published by Wanaaring Road Music.

2. "You Got to Do What the Lord Says" by Colin Buchanan from his "Follow the Saviour" CD. Published by Wanaaring Road Music. Hear samples and view ordering information at Word Australia.

3. "God Is Bigger Than the Boogeyman" by Veggie Tales.    

Enrichment:

Let the children draw pictures of their own "Boo Hags," and "boogeymen." Reassure them that this lesson teaches them to NOT be afraid. Give each child your chosen Bible verse and let them paste it onto the bottom of their creations.

How Are You Feeling? Themes: Emotions, Feelings, Vegetables, Foods, Faces, Contentment, Joy, Peace

How Are You Feeling?

A Preschool Story Time Lesson on Emotions:

~Helping Children Understand Their Emotions

Introduction: Before the story hour begins, have some visual aids prepared. Using wood or PVA glue, draw facial expressions onto regular copier paper. Make 5 different expressions: sad, happy, angry, surprised (or scared,) and bored. Make very simple drawings with the glue. A circle for the face, lines for eyes, nose, and mouth, and eyebrows to indicate mood will suffice. Allow the glue to dry, creating a raised surface. Before your audience arrives, place each of the five facial expressions on a whiteboard or easel. Cover each with a plain white sheet of paper, so the expressions are concealed. When it's time to begin, take colored chalk or oil pastels and begin rubbing it over the first of the raised facial expressions. Use different colors for different moods. Consider blue for sad, yellow or orange for happy, red for angry, gray for bored, and perhaps bright florescent pink for startled or surprised. See if the children can guess each emotion before you begin the rubbing by looking at the color you have chosen. Talk with the children about each emotion as it is being revealed.

Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst. Share a personal story of a bad day you've gone through.

Feelings Fingerplay: (original author unknown)

"Sometimes I'm as angry as a buzzing bee. (Buzzzz!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me! (Hug self.)

Sometimes I'm silly as a monkey in a tree. (Act like a silly monkey.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I won't eat even one green pea. (Act defiant.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I trip and fall and scrape my knee. (Rub knee and look defeated.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I scream louder than the TV. (Cup hands around mouth in a silent yell.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I'm sad, as sad as can be. (Boo-Hoo!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I run and feel happy and free! (Run in a small circle.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!"

Bible Verse Bracelets:

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

Psalm 28:7

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song." (NIV)

Explain that even though we sometimes experience frustration, anger, or sadness, the joy in our hearts doesn't go away. We can be full of joy and thankfulness even when we're in a bad mood, because of our faith in God and our trust in His strength.

Song: "Thank You, Lord" from "Kids Collection Sing Along Praise Songs: 14 Sing-Along Songs of Praise" by Brentwood Music, Inc.

Story: How Are You Peeling?: Foods With Moods, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers.  (This is a fantastic book about feelings featuring adorable photos of vegetables mimicking human emotions. Sounds crazy, but really funny.)

Song: "Happy All the Time" from Cedarmont Kids Classics Action Bible Songs recording.

Art Activity: Make Veggie Faces. Give each child a nice red tomato shape cut out of card stock. Give each a little green stem and leaves cut from card stock. Help them put their leaves on their tomatoes, then give each two google eyes, a small black button for a nose, a pipe cleaner for a mouth, and a black marker or crayon for eyebrows and any other features the children might like to add. Help them create their own veggie face in whatever expression they feel like!