Petra's Pier Picnic A Children's Story on Hunger

Children have perfect vision when it comes to detecting unfairness or injustice in the world. By contrast, adults, like Saul on the road to Damascus, sometimes need to be struck by lightning before the scales fall from their eyes. Fortunately for us, author Phyllis Vos Wezeman and illustrator Oscar Joyo don't have to resort to nature's pyrotechnics to help them see the world through children's eyes. In Petra's Pier Picnic, their beautiful writing and illustrations allow children and adults alike to learn together to do the right thing.

A wonderful book that was beautifully written. Petra learns about world hunger while fishing with her father. A great story for young and old. Phyllis is a master writer. The illustrations by Oscar adds the perfect touch to the book, artistically beautiful.

In their new book, writer Phyllis Vos Wezeman and illustrator Oscar Joyo bring their concern for social justice to children’s books. Child readers are confronted, as is the story’s heroine, with the terrible problem of haves and have-nots, first in the case of Petra’s pet fish, then in the world of people. How do you begin to talk about what must be a horrible puzzle to children, that is, that in our world some eat while others don’t? Phyllis Vos Wezeman and Oscar Joyo go a long way toward bringing this difficult topic to everyone’s table.

In this story, a little girl, Petra, puts her empathy toward others into action, as she shares what she has with some hungry people she has just met. Because the story is very positive in tone, children (and adults!) will feel inspired to follow Petra's example; the list of suggestions for doing so at the back of the book is helpful. The illustrations are beautiful! Colorful and lovingly painted, they draw in the reader and emphasize the message. Highly recommended.

Petra's Pier Picnic is a delightfully written and illustrated story from peerless (see what I did there?) educator Phyllis Vos Wezeman and gifted illustrator Oscar Joyo. Whether you are an educator, a parent, a pastor or just a person who loves good books, Petra's Pier Picnic is a story about a wonderful little girl who delights in putting her fishing pole to good use on her ninth birthday. Feeding the masses is a familiar story to students of the gospels; Petra's Pier Picnic would be a great children's sermon or Sunday School lesson, a terrific gift for any parent or grandparent to give to children to spark conversations about gratitude, compassion and mercy, or for inveterate collectors of children's books, because this one is just plain great. Colorful, winsome illustrations and great text make for a winner of a book.

The well-written text and colorful illustrations bring this story to life. Readers and listeners alike can feel Petra's empathy grow. This a great read for home, school, or church. Petra is a shining example of empowerment and how a child can make a big difference in someone else's life.

How does one begin to talk about hunger in a world of plenty? Everything around in the western world is either huge or not lacking. It’s even more complicated to discuss with children about hunger. And yet, in her new children’s book, Petra’s Pier Picnic, writer Phyllis Vos Wezeman and illustrator Oscar Joyo tackle the subject of hunger in such a way that highlights the plight of the hungry and what is of challenge to those that are privileged at the confluence of social interaction. Petra’s Pier Picnic is an illustration of Petra and her family celebrating her birthday. Through warmth and provisions of her family she (Petra) receives a gift of a pet fish and a fishing pole. Petra and her Dad go on a fishing expedition where they meet a hungry family. She ponders how to provide for the hungry family her biggest catch. The gesture strikes at the heart of the reader both young and old. The book brings to the table the subject matter that often goes unchallenged. All of us have a heart of passion. In the presence of the needy we are challenged to act. That is all that matters.

Great book - great author and wonderful illustrator. Whether you're a teacher looking for hunger and compassion tie-ins, a pastor wanting a great children's sermon (which reaches adults, too), or parent or grandparent - this helps teach the reader and the listener(s) about hunger, caring for others, everybody can make a difference, and leads to discussions and action. Not just for kids!