Pentecost Book Review: Breathe by Laura Alary

It can be hard to explain how the Church understands time. In the gospels we read about the already/not-yet-ness of Jesus’ preaching and teaching and prophesying about the kin-dom of God to come. And then we have the cycle of the church year, with some seasons assigned colors of purple, white, blue, red and green. I love how Godly Play says the seasons of Lent and Advent are “the time when we get ready for the mystery” of Easter or Christmas, respectively. But besides the colors that we may see in banners, paraments, flower arrangements and our pastors’ stoles, it can be challenging for children to internalize changing seasons in our lives of faith. 

Enter Laura Alary’s new book Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time.

First things first: any book that includes the words ``imagine a world without blueberry pie!” with a tone of (appropriate!) shock gets an A++ from me. (Blueberry pie is possibly my favorite thing in the world besides kittens, butterflies and that feeling you get when you enter a warm place after being very cold outside).

But that is the very least of what Breathe has to offer. This is a beautiful book that I highly recommend for use in Christian education, wherever that happens for you (in your family, in a house church, in a Sunday school classroom or inclusion in communal worship in the sanctuary). Through retellings of Bible stories and encouragement to “Breathe In” and “Breathe Out,” readers will experience the day of Pentecost and the season of Ordinary Time in new and embodied ways. 

For some Christian traditions, the Holy Spirit is ever-present and often talked about in worship and community life. But that is not true for everyone. As I read through this book, I not only thought about how to use this in my ministry with children, but I was also struck by the inspiration to use this book with adult education, too! The author illustrates with words and the illustrator, Cathrin Peterslund, paints pictures of the Spirit at work in the lives of Jesus’ disciples as well as active in the lives of today’s churchgoers. 

The book begins in the “Breathless” section as the story of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to disciples are described. The author also includes a narrator who uses “I” statements to encourage some social-emotional reflection. “Sometimes I hold my breath when I am scared or when something hurts a lot. Saying goodbye to someone you love hurts.” 

Then we move to the “Breathe In” section and the stories of Pentecost: breath, wind, fire. A breath prayer is shared with a picture of a person lying in the grass, people fly kites during a picnic on Pentecost, and a candle lit then snuffed out in Sunday school (reminding me of the Godly Play story for the Ascension). 

Last is the “Breathe Out” section, moving readers to consider how the Spirit acts through us to minister to the world. Ordinary Season is introduced and the narrator pays attention to the changing seasons. They also notice the migration of pollinators like butterflies that bring new plant life, as well as the migration of human beings across the globe. “The Spirit connects us all,” the author writes. 

In 31 pages, Laura Alary has created a beautiful, contemplative, encouraging and inspiring book that gives examples of the Holy Spirit’s being and work in the world in bite-size pieces. You could read Breathe as a whole book or study it very slowly, section by section, wondering about the fruits of the Spirit or how the people in your faith community care for others or about how it feels when people we love go away. And the good news continues—there is a discussion guide as well, provided through Paraclete Press.

This is a lovely book, with solid theological grounding that progressive churches in particular would appreciate--but I hope this book reaches far beyond progressive churches, because Christians of all ages will find refreshment and restoration here. 

This is also the latest in a series of liturgical season books. Check out Look: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas and Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter to round out your collection. 

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