While I enjoyed [b:Jesus and the Children|7327761|Jesus and the Children|Andrew McDonough|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513BnrrlvIL._SL75_.jpg|8950475], this one is absolutely delightful. In a beautiful manner, one of my favorite sections of scripture is explained to children. A parable in images and short phrases is a perfect educational tool for showing just how much the Creator loves his creations, and what he has ultimately done for us in joining us with Jesus. This is a book recommended for ages 4-7 and for early readers and comprehension I think that is a great age range, yet even at 10 months old my daughter enjoyed sitting in my lap and listening to me read the story and point out the pictures. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the Cecil and Friends series.

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review through FIRST Wild Card Tours.* ( )

The Gardener and the Vine is another in Andrew McDonough’s boldly illustrated Cecil & Friends series of Jesus’ parables and life as interpreted through a modern lens for children. Andrew McDonough’s vibrant, cartoon-like art keeps children engaged in the simply told story that is likewise with vivid word-imagery.

Presented as the simple adventure as a branch who was taken from his unfruitful life and grafted onto the Vine by the Gardener, this story is packed jam full of rich spiritual meaning for both children and the parents who read this story to them.

A two-page spread for parents helps give some background information and introductory lead-ins to help enjoy and teach your children from this story, making it not only a story, but a little devotional lesson complete with some simple questions and discussion points along with the Bible verses that the story is inspired by (John 15: 1,5).

Honestly, I think that I may have received more spiritual benefit from this story than my small children have. There is a lot of theological ground covered in this one simple story: being removed from our old life, being adopted into Christ, the painful sacrifice that made such an adoption possible, the only way of having true life and fruitfulness being through Him – it’s really amazing how much rich depth has been built into this children’s story. I’m not sure my little ones are old enough to catch it all at this point, but I trust that they are each taking as much as they can from the story at their levels of development.

The Gardener and the Vine is a powerfully transformative story presented in a simple package. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this title to review. All opinions are honest and my own.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )