Mozi Esmé: Review: The Three Trees

The tale of the three trees has been a longstanding favorite of ours. Its timeless message that God’s plans are bigger than any dream we could possibly have, even when our lives seems meaningless or despairing, is one we all can benefit from reading, over and over again.

So I was excited to share a new publication of the classic tale with Esmé.

Title: The Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
Author: Elena Pasquali; Illustrated by Sophie Windham
Publisher: Lion Children’s
ISBN: 9780745961705

Synopsis:

Three forest trees dream of what they will one day become. One dreams of becoming a royal throne; one of being a ship that can withstand any storm; and one longs to stay in the forest and grow as tall as tall can be. When they are felled, it seems their dreams are over. But as each tree is crafted into a new item--a manger, a fishing boat, and a rugged cross--it becomes clear that through the role they play in one important life their hopes are more than fulfilled.

Recommended Age: 5+
List Price: $14.99

Esmé’s Synopsis:

This book is about Jesus and the three trees. The part where Jesus died to take away our sins – that’s the best part of the book.

What I didn’t like is the spider [in the trough illustration]. It might be a black widow. But maybe the cat [in same illustration] is a field mouse cat who will kill the spider, so maybe it is okay.

If I was a tree, I’d love to be made into a trough, because I like babies.

What Mom Liked:

The story. The author tells the story in a flowing, simple manner. It is easy to read aloud with poignancy. The contrasts of the third tree’s story – dark, dawn; death, life – leave me full of emotion each time I read.
The illustrations. The illustrations are somewhat muted, as befitting the topic. However, they are full of little critters that capture a child’s attention. I love the details such as the depiction of the four seasons in one scene…