The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree

From School Library JournalK 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, MACopyright