The Jesse Tree - Hardcover

McCaughrean, Geraldine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802852882 ISBN 13: 9780802852885

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2005

Synopsis

"What are you doing, mister?" The old man ran a creased hand over his half-completed woodwork. "I'm carving a Jesse tree, if you must know. Now run along out of here. A church isn’t for playing in." "Is that your name, then? Jesse?" The carpenter was impatient to get back to work. "Of course not. A Jesse tree is a very ancient tradition. A thousand years ago, every church had a Jesse tree. A stained-glass window or a carved wooden screen . . . Nowadays, it’s a lost art."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.

About this title

About the Author

Geraldine McCaughrean has written more than a hundred books for children, including the award-winning Gilgames the Hero (Eerdmans). In addition, she has won every major prize for children’s literature in England, including the Carnegie Medal, the Whitbread Award, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award. Geraldine lives in England.

From School Library Journal

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
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About this edition

• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0802852882
• ISBN 13: 9780802852885
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Willey Bee