The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to buy this book for all the families I work with. Now whenever "Auntie" is around the children request "The Tree Story". This book is always in the car to be read to any child.

I read the other recommendations, and yes, it does bring a lump to your throat. No matter how many times I read it, this book never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

This book belongs in every library and is a great influencer in the lives of young and old. The campfire I where I first heard this story took place years ago - yet I remembered the story long before I purchased the book.

A story for the ages......


A simple and timeless story, beautifully told   April 4, 2005
Dawn Matheson
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

For three little trees who dream of what they will be someday - a holder of treasure, a fine ship, a hilltop beacon pointing to God - life proves to have something rather different in store. They are disappointed that their lives are so mundane. And, as the years pass, "the three trees nearly forgot their dreams." Yet each eventually gets its wish, although not in the way it had foreseen. When that happens, each discovers that things turned out just the way they should have. This is a moving and eloquent story. Its illustrations are simple yet powerful. Readers will be reminded that God has plans for every one of his creations, that He never loses sight any of us. Children will learn that when they don't get what they want, it may be because something even better is in store for them. Adults will understand the concept of true happiness coming when we align our will with God's.

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A Treasure   March 27, 2001
Jay
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I bought this book as a gift for my 3-year-old cousin. She enjoys it when I read it to her, but it is even better to watch her 7-year-old brother read it to her. This book tells a tale of three trees that dream of what they want to become when they grow up. All three are cut down and used in purposes far from what they had envisioned of themselves. However, by the end of the story, it is clear that the way they were used is not only exactly what they dreamed of, but they were used in the way that God wanted them to be.

This book serves well when speaking to your child about what he or she wants to be when all grown up. It will serve as a reminder to them that whatever they do, God will be with them and guiding them. God will use them in the way that he (or she) sees fit.

This leather-bound edition is beautiful. The front cover is heavily padded and is embossed with gold lettering. The price may be a little stiff for a children's book, but it will be with you and your child forever.

My first reading of this book was to a group of 6 and 7 year olds at bedtime at a Christian summer camp. I had never read the book before (not something I normally do) and I was so moved by the story and beautiful illustrations that I began reading every night to every group of kids that I had.

Why 5 stars?: This book, though somewhat pricey, teaches an enduring lesson through its words and wonderful pictures. This edition is very nice with its padded cover and gold lettering. It is on a level that second-graders can read. Perfect for them to read by themselves or possibly to a younger sibling. I would recommend this story to anyone who has ever had trouble seeing God in his or her life. His work is not always evident to us, but it is always there.


WOW! This blew me away!   March 22, 2000
Cele Eifert (Peachtree City, GA USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I had never heard this story before and had no idea what to expect when I read it...as I got to the part about the third tree's destiny, I started crying - it touched me that much...what a great lesson is contained in this simple tale -- each tree's dream was fulfilled although not precisely in the way that they anticipated...excellent jumping off point for discussions with little ones -- As the room mom for my 5-year-old son's kindergarten class, I got this book for his teacher's birthday and had all the children "sign" it - the teacher was touched by this powerfully moving story, as were the parents who came to her party...really a great book to keep and especially to give.