The Pine Tree Parable

Name of Book:  The Pine Tree Parable

Author:  Liz Curtis Higgs

Illustrator:  Nancy Munger

Publisher:  Tommy Nelson, Inc.

ISBN:  9781400308477

Audience:  Although this book is recommended for children ages 3-7, I believe that this would be a great book for older children and adults about stewardship and tithing.

Summary:  A farmer and his family nurture tiny seedlings for many years until they grow to be fragrant Christmas trees that they can sell to their neighbors.  The farmer’s wfe puts a gold star at the top of the tallest and most beautiful tree and she decides that it is not for sale for she intends to keep it for her family.  On Christmas eve, a poor family comes to the farm to cut down a ragged, drooping tree because it is the only one that they can afford.  Then their young daughter notices the tallest, most beautiful tree with the gold star and asks her parents if they can buy it.  Knowing that the family cannot afford the tree, the farmer’s wife tells the little girl that it is not for sale, but she can have it as a gift.

Literary elements at work in the story (Genre/setting/characterization/plot/theme/point of view/style): This book is the fourth book in a seasonal seriesthat all feature the farmer and his wife and kids.  Each book in the series is brimming with vibrant, colorful watercolor illustrations that warm the heart.  It is about giving out of generosity and the joy and love that comes each Christmas season.

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  Although the farmers give their best Christmas tree to a poor family that visits their farm, they are not perceived as being financially wealthy either.  But out of generous hearts, they give their most prized possession to another family in need.  If the farmers were a wealthy family, then it would be easy not to relate to their generouse gift, but when the reader recognizes that they are just simple farmers, then the reader can appreciate the price of their gift even more.

Theological conversation partners: This story is about so much more than the gift of a Christmas tree.  The farmers could have given any tree from their lot, but they chose to give the tallest, most beautiful tree of all to the poor family.  When we are called to give of our time, talents, and treasures to the ministry of the church, we are not called to give whatever we have leftover.  We are called to give our best.  The author cites 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one should give, then, what he has decided in his heart to give…God loves the person who gives happily.”

Faith Talk Questions

1. Think about something that is very special to you, maybe it is your favorite toy or book.  How would you feel about giving it away to someone in need?  How would the person in need feel about receiving it?
2. What are some things that you are willing to give generously?  What are some things that you are trying to keep for yourself? Why?  What keeps you from giving generously?

This review was prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Amanda North.

More

Title:  More

Author:  I.C. Springman

Illustrator: Brian Lies

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

ISBN: 9780547610832

Audience: 4 and up. Age 3 is not too young; adult is not too old.

Summary: A magpie is given a marble by a mouse.  The magpie flies to his nest and places it there. Now he has something.  The something inspires him to get a few more somethings.. He moves on to much, way too much and finally more than enough.  The whole collection crashes to the ground, burying the magpie. With the aid of the mouse and his friends,  the pile of everything burying the magpie is removed piece by piece to become less, a lot less, and finally just enough.  The magpie and the mouse fly off with just a marble, a chess piece, and a ribbon, joyfully free.

Literary elements at work in the story: This is a picture book, and what a picture book! There are about 30 words signifying quantity; several pages are wordless. But the pictures are clear, the colors strong, the details impeccable.. It’s a fascinating exercise to examine the objects the magpie adds-a lego block, a watch, a stamp, a book mark, a comb,  etc., etc., etc. and to see the nests increase to accommodate these somethings. It is equally fascinating to watch the mice remove this accumulation piece by piece.. Some pictures are a full two page spread, some single page, some a quarter of a page.  A puzzle: one of the magpie’s legs is clearly banded and numbered.  Why? The moral of the story is unmistakable; it’s telling, a delight.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? The magpie may be male or female.  A choice had to be made in the summary and this reviewer chose male. Changing the sex will make no difference in the story.

Theological Conversation Partners: We are a society of consumers. Many children with whom you will share this book have rooms like the magpie’s nests.  Jesus had more to say about possessions than almost any other subject.  Having things can come between us and God. Our hearts will go with our treasure. The rich young man went away sadly from Jesus because he had great possessions. Luke 18:18-24 The parable of the rich fool pairs almost perfectly with this book. Luke 12:12-21

Faith Talk Questions:

1.  At first the magpie’s nest was empty.  Where did he get the marble?  Why did the mouse give it to him.  Was this a friendly thing to do?
2. What did the magpie collect next?  Why?
3. How many nests did he have to build for his collection?
4. What do you see in the nests?  Can you count the number of things.
5. What is the difference between plenty and too much?
6. Do you collect toys and games like the magpie did?
7. Is it wrong to have something?
8. Jesus met a young man who, like the magpie, had collected much.  The story is in Luke 12:18-24.  What did Jesus think about collecting too much.
9. The last picture shows the magpie and mouse flying away with only 3 things.  Do they  seem happy?  Could they fly if they were carrying more?
10. The USA consumes almost 80 % of the world’s goods.  Think of the pictures in this book with us, rather than a magpie, collecting things.  Do we need them all?

This review was written by regular contributor Virginia Thomas.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Title:  Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Author: Simms Taback

Illustrator: Simms Taback

Publisher: Viking

ISBN: 0670878553

Audience: ages 3 and up

Summary: Joseph had a little overcoat that was worn and full of holes so he made it into a jacket.  As the jacket continues to wear out it becomes in turn a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and a button.  Each coat transformation is accompanied by some joyful experience depicted in vibrant colors.  The jacket is worn to a fair, the vest to a wedding, the scarf to a men’s chorus, the necktie to a family visit.  When Joseph loses the button he has nothing left except a story to tell. And that’s the moral: you can always make something out of nothing. This slight story is based on an old Yiddish folk song that is included at the back of the book.

Literary elements at work in the story: This Caldecott Medal book is a marvelous wedding of story and picture.  As each page is turned the reader can look at the next die cut hole and guess what Joseph’s coat will become.  The pages are filled with color and details: cloth, buttons, scissors, thread, people, animals, pictures, and such things as a news paper headline: Fiddler falls off roof.  When Joseph is left with nothing the room is empty and even the animals slip away; when he begins to write the room becomes crowded again.  A story for all ages.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? Joseph lives in an unspecified time and place so the only perspective affecting the story is the richness and vitality of the Yiddish culture, the source of the song.

Theological Conversation Partners: Joseph is a wonderful example of good stewardship; nothing is wasted, possibilities are seen in worn and damaged goods, and everything is enjoyed.  In our society of over consumption and planned obsolescence, Joseph is a model who creatively uses and re-uses.  Remarkably, as the material of the overcoat diminishes, Joseph finds continued occasions for joy. Compare Joseph with Paul. Philippians 4: 6,-13. Joseph demonstrates how to use what we have, not simply clothing but also the world’s resource responsibly and joyfully. And though Joseph says nothing about the source of his coat, we have ample reminders in the Bible about the source of our good gifts.

Genesis 1: Psalm 24:1, James 1:17, 1 Peter 4:10.  Joseph is a good companion in studies of stewardship, of care of the earth, in learning to praise and give thanks.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. Do you have any clothes that are worn out?  What do you do with them?
2. What did Joseph do with his? Did he continue to enjoy what was left?
3. Can you think of things you do that waste what you have-clothes, toys, school supplies, food? What changes could you make?
4. How does your community try to save and recycle?  Do you know what happens to these things?  How could you find out?
5. Joy is an important part of Joseph’s stewardship.  How do you express your joy for the many gifts God gives you?
6. Why is Paul content in every circumstance? What is contentment?
7. It’s easy to understand making a vest from material.  Joseph seems to think non-material things can be made into something.  Can you think of something you can make using just your mind or voice?
8. The Bible tells us that God made us stewards of the earth.   How can you be a good steward?  Do you think Joseph was a good steward?

This post was written by regular contributor Virginia Thomas.