Pickleball in Pickleton is a children’s picture book by Bucleigh Newton Kernodle. It tells the story of the pickles who live in the town of Pickleton. Each family is unique, with charming quirks, and they all exemplify the virtues of love, kindness, and sportsmanship through their lives and favorite sport: pickleball. Everyone in the community enjoyed harmony and joy until the arrival of the Spicy family, who had difficulty fitting in. Their fiery, competitive nature introduced conflict and disrupted the community’s peace. They cheated, used unkind words, and treated others poorly. Jade, a thoughtful and brave pickle, decided to challenge Pepper, one of the Spicy family members, to a game of pickleball, in hopes of demonstrating that winning doesn’t require bad sportsmanship and that kindness can prevail even in competition. Pickleball in Pickleton is an inspiring story rooted in Galatians 5:22-23, illustrating how the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are embodied through community, sport, and shared values. The book features a unique premise, using different kinds of pickles to symbolize diverse personalities, adding a playful yet meaningful layer to the narrative. This representation shows how individual differences can harmoniously come together through the principles of the Spirit. This book is excellent for children’s spiritual and social development and is perfect for family and church storytelling time. Bucleigh Newton Kernodle uses a rhyming tone and simple language, making the story engaging and fun to read. The colorful illustrations complement the narrative, with pickles that are easy to differentiate due to their distinct shapes and colors. The consistent green theme throughout provides a cohesive and attractive visual appeal. Overall, Pickleball in Pickleton is a wonderful read with a powerful message about love, harmony, and kindness, making it a must-have for anyone who wishes to instill positive values in their children.
