The Gardener and the Vine (Cecil and Friends) [Paperback]

Andrew McDonough (Creator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 2010 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Cecil and Friends

It's Nice to Belong ... and what a bonus that we all belong to God's family! In The Gardener and the Vine, we join the small branch named Basil as he meets the Gardener and makes a journey from loneliness to being a fruitful and loved part of the family of God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Fresh, vivid and attention-grabbing. These stories touch the heart and illuminate the mind' -- --Max Lucado, Pastor and Bestselling Author

(--Max Lucado, Pastor and Bestselling Author )

About the Author

Andrew McDonough is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded 'children's talk' at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overhead projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. The congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other student, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310719461
• ISBN-13: 978-0310719465
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,975,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Andrew McDonough is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded "children's talk" at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overhead projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. The congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other student, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritually Rich, September 16, 2011

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gardener and the Vine (Cecil and Friends) (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars It Hurts, but It Will Be Worth It!, September 15, 2010

By 

A. Whipple "Live, Learn, Love" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gardener and the Vine (Cecil and Friends) (Paperback)

The Gardener and the Vine is, in my opinion, an excellent way to explain John 15:1,5 with a child.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener...If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit."
The "remains in me and I in him" is the part that really hits home with this book.
This is the story of Jesus, and I really like how it unfolds in The Gardener and the Vine. Basil is the small branch who becomes part of the vine...it's not easy for him or the vine, but well worth it.

I like the illustrations and the stories, but I think the last two pages will be an invaluable resource for parents. Cecil's Page has an introduction to the story for the parents and gives suggestions for some discussion starters on what to do before the story and after the story. On the following page you can read the verses of the Bible than inspired Andrew McDonough to create the story.

The Cecil and Friends books are recommended for ages 4-7, and I wouldn't go any younger. I know I won't be reading them to my daughter next month when she turns four, but maybe in six months or so.

Thank you Zonderkidz for providing me a copy for review purposes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Writing, Great Illustrations. Great Message!, July 22, 2010

By 

M. Carswell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gardener and the Vine (Cecil and Friends) (Paperback)

The message behind this book is excellent, not only for the children it is geared for, but adults as well.

The good news? We can bear much fruit.

The bad news? It might hurt first, due to cutting and grafting.

This is what Basil, the scraggly grapevine learns in this story about being joined to THE Vine. . . and it's the story our children will learn when we read it to them. While young minds can't fully grasp what it means, it's a book that, in our home, will be kept through the years and read often, until our daughter's mind can grasp it. Because of it's colorful illustrations, this will be easy to achieve as she asks for the book to be read repeatedly, even at the young age she is. This is one of my favorite books that we have in her collection, given both the message as well as the artwork that makes up the book.