The Jesse Tree

by Geraldine McCaughrean, Bee Willey (Illustrator)

Overview

The inspiration for this book was the tradition of carved Jesse trees and stained glass windows used in medieval times to tell people Bible stories. Using her skills as a storyteller and her love of the Bible, the author has written a compelling story about the creation of a modern-day Jesse tree. She weaves evocative retellings of selected Bible stories with a sensitive contemporary story about the transforming power of love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745978062
Publisher:	Lion Hudson
Publication date:	10/19/2018
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Geraldine McCaughrean is an acclaimed novelist and writer of evocative retellings of legends, myths and historical material. She has written more than 160 books, published in 61 countries and and her work has been translated into over 45 languages. Probably best known for her official sequel, Peter Pan in Scarlet, she is also a three-time recipient of the Whitbread/Costa Children's Book Award and a Carnegie Medal winner. "McCaughrean is one of the greatest living children's authors." - The Bookseller

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction 8
The Jesse Tree 10
Paradise Garden 12
A Boat Full of Animals 16
Strange Visitors 20
A Test of Love 23
Stairway to Heaven 26
The Dreamer 30
Famine and Plenty 33
“Let My People Go!” 37
The Foreigner 42
“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant is Listening” 46
The Shepherd King 50
Dancing 54
The Wisdom of Solomon 57
The Idol and the Still Small Voice 61
War and Peace 66
Dumbstruck! 69
Mary 72
Jumping for Joy 75
The Worst of All Possible Times 78
Wonderful News 81
The Cunning and the Wise 85
Angels 89
The Brightest Star 92

Editorial Reviews

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.

Publishers Weekly

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 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

In this finely crafted anthology, McCaughrean weaves lively retellings of Bible stories into a clever overarching narrative framework that will keep readers hooked. . . . McCaughrean’s tales have a leisurely pace and accessible language and tone. . . .Willey’s dramatic spot art toggles between Biblical and modern scenes, emphasizing the colorful scope of the carpenter’s project.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Publisher