Customer Reviews

The Gardener and the Vine (Cecil and Friends)

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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.

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.

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.

The Gardener and the Vine by Andrew McDonough is another new entry in his fantastic Cecil & Friends series. First Mia's review: I like it just as much as Jesus and the Children, and I'd like to say thank you to the author for writing this book and to Christians everywhere for loving Jesus. My favorite page was the one where Basil had joined the Vine because he was a part of Jesus and once you are a part of Him you have everlasting life! The book is about how good it is to be a part of Jesus. Now my thoughts. Basil is a branch on a vine on a lonely hill until one day a Gardener appears and offers to make him grow tons of grapes, but Basil has to trust Him. He's frightened when the Gardener cuts him off of his vine, he's terrified that he's going to die, but is instead brought to a most beautiful Vine. The story is an allegory of John 15:1,5 where Jesus talks about being the vine and his followers branches who will only flourish when part of Him. The story never mentions Jesus or God and yet sticks closely to the journey of a believer learning to trust in God. When I explained the meaning behind the story, Mia was quickly able to understand the deeper symbolism, including jumping in and accurately naming some on her own. McDonough makes the story very clear for children. The illustrations are always bright and amusing with plenty to keep little eyes happy. I appreciate how he puts a different spin on such classic stories forcing children and their parents to look at them with new eyes and gaining new understanding.

The Gardener and The Vine created by Andrew McDonough is a unique retelling of John 15:1, 5 for children. Basil is a small branch in the middle of a lonely desert when the Gardener finds him. He immediately asks to take Basil back with him, but he has good news and bad news. Basil thinks he can trust the Gardener, but he has many doubts each time there is a transition of being cut and grafted. When Basil is finally connected to a larger vine he understands the decisions of the Gardener are only for his good.

I thought this was a beautiful picture of one of my favorite Bible passages. I think children would be drawn to this simple story with colorful illustrations. There is also a page in the back that offers suggestions to parents for introducing the story and having discussion after the story. I can't wait for my son to get a little older so he can learn all about Jesus' love for him with this sweet book, The Gardener and The Vine.