It’s
not often that I see positive stories about the Middle East and was thrilled to
see this little gem of a book, The Olive
Tree. I lived in the Middle East for
5 years and one of things that intrigued me was that for any problem, there was
always a beautiful story with a life’s lesson to be told. This book is a prime example of how things
taking place in today’s world can be simplified into something that a child can
grasp and make their own.
The
story is about a boy, Sameer, who is from Lebanon. His neighbors left when the war began and
when the news spread that they were returning home, he wished and wished that
they would have a son to play with. As
it turns out, they have a daughter, Muna.
Sameer and Muna just don’t see eye-to-eye, especially when it comes to
the prized olive tree that resides on Muna’s property. Even though the olive tree drops its delicious
fruit on Sameer’s side of the wall that separates their homes, Muna insists
that the fruit belongs to her family. It
takes a horrific storm to bring the two children together. Through their journey, they learn tolerance
and compassion, which ultimately results in a beautiful friendship.
Publisher: Wisdom Tales Press
ISBN: 978-1937786298
List price: $16.95 USD
Pages: 32
Category: Juvenile Picturebook/ Multi-Cultural
Ages 4-8 years
The
story is about a boy, Sameer, who is from Lebanon. His neighbors left when the war began and
when the news spread that they were returning home, he wished and wished that
they would have a son to play with. As
it turns out, they have a daughter, Muna.
Sameer and Muna just don’t see eye-to-eye, especially when it comes to
the prized olive tree that resides on Muna’s property. Even though the olive tree drops its delicious
fruit on Sameer’s side of the wall that separates their homes, Muna insists
that the fruit belongs to her family. It
takes a horrific storm to bring the two children together. Through their journey, they learn tolerance
and compassion, which ultimately results in a beautiful friendship.
This is
a book that I recommend reading with your children. It creates goodwill and tolerance, showing us
all how to be caring and supportive of others by example.
Available
at major bookstores and online retailers.
The
Olive Tree
Written
by Elsa Marston and Illustrated by Claire EwartPublisher: Wisdom Tales Press
ISBN: 978-1937786298
List price: $16.95 USD
Pages: 32
Category: Juvenile Picturebook/ Multi-Cultural
Ages 4-8 years
Rated 5/5 flip flops!
Sample of the beautiful illustrations in The Olive Tree
