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As Mr. Butterfield carves a Jesse Tree in an old dusty church, a curious young boy distracts him, asking about the various symbols on the tree. Against his better judgment, the old man finds himself retelling the familiar Biblical tales that trace the lineage of Christ, from the Garden of Eden to Jesus' birth. Under the carpenter's skilled hands, the Jesse tree grows--and an unlikely friendship begins to take root as well. Geraldine McCaughrean's fresh retellings of familiar Bible events and Bee Willey's whimsical and striking illustrations create a rich and contemporary tale, perfect for reading during Advent or anytime.The Jesse Tree will captivate readers who know and love the Bible stories as well as those who are reading them for the first time. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 96
Vendor: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Publication Date: 2005
| Dimensions: 10.0 X 8.0 (inches)
ISBN: 0802852882
ISBN-13: 9780802852885
Availability: In Stock
|
K Up-This collection of celebrated Bible stories, often read in the days
leading up to Christmas, is presented in an engaging and refreshing format. A
cantankerous carpenter is distracted from his work of carving a Jesse tree in
the local church by a talkative youth who isn't bothered by the man's gruff
nature. John is fascinated by the craftsman's task, wanting to learn all
about the Jesse tree, a traditional symbol of the Advent season. Mr.
Butterfield whittles away at the family tree that traces Jesus's spiritual
lineage, adding representative icons corresponding to particular stories to
each branch. The curious boy encourages the old gentleman to relate the series
of stories leading from the Garden of Eden directly to the birth of the Son
of God in Bethlehem. Along with the holy family, many well-known Old Testament
characters, including Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Ruth, David, and Elijah,
appear in the carpenter's narration. The sacred stories are recited in the
folksy speech expected of someone like Mr. Butterfield and are skillfully
interwoven with the parallel tale of the blossoming friendship between the two
unlikely companions. Charming illustrations of the narrator and his young
friend, as well as biblical scenes, accompany the text. A spread showing the
finished Jesse tree is featured at the beginning and end of the book.
McCaughrean explains its origin in an introduction.-Linda L. Walkins, Mount
Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
In this finely crafted anthology, McCaughrean (Gilgamesh the Hero; God's
Kingdom) weaves lively retellings of Bible stories into a clever overarching
narrative framework that will keep readers hooked. An old carpenter has begun
carving a traditional Jesse tree-its branches a collection of symbols that
show the ancestors of Jesus Christ-for a local church. Much to the cranky
man's chagrin, an inquisitive boy who seems to be vacationing nearby with his
family routinely interrupts his work. Explaining the various symbols to the
boy and telling the stories behind them becomes as much a part of the man's
daily undertaking as carving the wood. But when the tree is complete and the
boy suddenly stops coming around, the carpenter (and readers) wonder if the
young visitor may well have been an angel of inspiration. McCaughrean's tales
have a leisurely pace and accessible language and tone. Her consistent
inclusion of realistic, sometimes-testy exchanges between the carpenter and
boy adds a level of immediacy and keeps the collection compelling. Willey's
(McCaughrean's collaborator on several Myths of the World books) dramatic spot
art toggles between Biblical and modern scenes, emphasizing the colorful scope
of the carpenter's project. Ages 5-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business
Information.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
4 of 4 Reviews Showing: 2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by S. Borrenpohl (Dubuque, IA), November 04, 2009 As excited as we were about this book, it is not one we can recommend. The interpretation of some of the biblical characters was not accurate and we found ourselves editing as we read it aloud to our children. The woodcarver character was also excessively grumpy...just what we are trying to teach our children not to be. We're planning on selling our copy on ebay and trying something else. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH), January 18, 2009 A Jesse Tree is a term given to a depiction of Jesus’ family tree, a piece of art fashioned from wood, stone or stained glass. Pictures of fish, angels, clothes, etc., were used in the art, to remind viewers of the stories of the Bible. It makes for entertaining, as well as thought-provoking, reading.
The illustrations are bright, bold & charming. They depict the many scenes from the Bible stories in the book. A finished Jesse Tree is added at both the beginning and the end of the book.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Pamela Labar (Minot Afb, ND), December 14, 2007 This book is a great way to count down to Christmas. It reviews biblical stories along with some history of the Jesse Tree as told by an elderly man to a young boy. A great review and rememberance of God's stories and a perfect way to get your children embedded in God's word. This one will become a Christmas tradition in our home! 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tricia (Nebraska), December 11, 2007 I have several children's advent books sitting on my shelf, all unused because we were unmotivated to complete them. Not so with The Jesse Tree. The stories are so engaging that my four kids beg me to get started with the daily reading. Even I have to force myself to stop and not continue the entire story in one reading! The illustrations are nice too. This book will become an heirloom in our family because we have enjoyed it so much this season, and probably for many years to come. Write a review of The Jesse Tree
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