Childrens Book Review: The Legend of The Three Trees adapted by Catherine McCafferty

The Legend of the Three Trees was adapted by Catherine McCafferty from the screenplay by George Taweel and Rob Loos. It was illustrated by Gene 'n Geppy Productions. The Legend of the Three Trees is based on a traditional folk tale. The book was published in 2001 by Tommy Nelson, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The book begins with the first few days of Creation. Plants, grasses, and trees grew. Animals carried away their seeds. A fox drops an olive pit, a stork splits an acorn, and a goat loosens a seed from a pine cone. The olive pit grows into an olive tree. An oak tree grows where the acorn once was. The seed from the pine cone grows into a pine tree. Each tree dreams of the future. The olive tree wants to become a treasure chest, but it becomes something else. The oak tree wants to be made into a ship and carry a King, but it becomes something else. The pine tree wants to stay on a mountain and point people to God, but something happens and everything changes for the tree. Happy thoughts of treasure chests, ships, and divine direction was replaced with shattered dreams and helplessness, but God had a different plan for the three trees.

One night a very special baby was gently placed in a manger; thus the olive tree held a treasure.

Years later, that same baby, Jesus, calmed a storm from a meek little fishing boat; thus the oak tree carried a King.

Then, on another day, Jesus carried a cross made of pine wood to the top of a hill; thus the pine tree became a symbol which would forever point people to God.

The last page of the book explains that human life is much like the olive tree, the oak tree, and the pine tree. We may have dreams of the great things we wish to accomplish in life, but then things seem to go wrong and our dreams are shattered. God has his own plan for our lives, plans which are much greater than those we could ever imagine for ourselves. If we follow God's plan for our lives, He will use us to accomplish great things - things greater that we ever imagined.

The Legend of the Three Trees is an exceptional book for children, but it is also an exceptional book for adults. It's message is simple and clear, yet profound.

I highly recommend The Legend of the Three Trees adapted by Catherine McCafferty for the whole family.