The Jesse Tree - Softcover

McCaughrean, Geraldine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745960766 ISBN 13: 9780745960760

Publisher: Lion Children's Books, 2006

Synopsis

The inspiration for this book was the tradition of carved Jesse trees and stained glass windows used in medieval times to tell people Bible stories. Using her skills as a storyteller and her love of the Bible, the author has written a compelling story about the creation of a modern-day Jesse tree. She weaves evocative retellings of selected Bible stories with a sensitive contemporary story about the transforming power of love.

About this title

From the Author:

Geraldine McCaughrean is an acclaimed novelist and writer of evocative retellings of legends, myths and historical material. She has written more than 160 books, published in 61 countries and and her work has been translated into over 45 languages. Probably best known for her official sequel, Peter Pan in Scarlet, she is also a three-time recipient of the Whitbread/Costa Children's Book Award and a Carnegie Medal winner. "McCaughrean is one of the greatest living children's authors." - The Bookseller

From the Inside Flap:

“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 edition

• Publisher: Lion Children's Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0745960766
• ISBN 13: 9780745960760
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96