I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. - Matthew 17:20
Unwrapping
"The Marvelous Mustard Seed"
by Amy-Jill Levine (Author)
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Author)
Margaux Meganck (Illustrator)
Ages: 4-8
Grade Levels: PS+
Publisher: Flyaway Books
Pub. date: April 26, 2018
This lovely book is based on a parable from the Bible.
"A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden. It is an itty-bitty seed. It isn't anything very special yet."
A little boy and a little girl watch the garden plot very carefully hoping for a sign that growth is taking place. The sun shines down, the clouds deposit rain, and as time passes a sprout appears. The children are so excited to see that little tender plant emerge from the soil. They never, ever dreamed of the miracle that was about to take place right before their eyes.
That itty-bitty plant shoots higher and higher until it becomes a huge tree for all of the community to enjoy. The animals, birds and diverse characters are all blessed by its very presence. Who knew that such a strong, powerful tree was contained inside that teeny, tiny seed?
The book compares the growth of that microscopic seed to the growth of faith and the love of God. The inspiring message to young readers is that even though they are small they hold a world of possibilities and potential inside of them to grow big like the towering mustard tree and make a difference in other's lives for he good. The authors have included a note to parents and teachers at the end to further explain the parable.
"Parables can open up our imagination, if we let them."
I highly recommend this book.
"Parables can open up our imagination, if we let them."
I highly recommend this book.
Storywraps Rating - 5 Hugs!!!!!
About the authors
Amy-Jill Levine is a University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, and Professor of New Testament studies at Vanderbilt University. For more details on the parables, see her book Short stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Contraversial Rabbi (New York: HarperOne, 2014)
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is rabbi of Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and an author of many award-winning children's books including, with Amy-Jill Levine, Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and Two Sons.
Meet the illustrator
Margaux spends her days dodging raindrops and drawing from her imagination in beautiful Portland, Oregon. From nannying, to early childhood art education, to children's bookshops Margaux has always worked with and around children's lit. So it came as no surprise when she started illustrating and writing for children. She is an active member of SCBWI and has received portfolio awards from SCBWI-OR(2015) and SCBWI-WWA(2017). Margaux has received two Junior Library Guild Awards for her illustrations in Who Counts: 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons (Westminster John Knox Press, 2017) and The Marvelous Mustard Seed (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018).
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