Under the Baobab Tree

I love children's stories and looked forward to receiving this product - making it gift to my grandson. However, though not a bad story, it was a disappointment to me. I realize as an adult maybe I have a different view but it seemed to lack a true story. It didn't really show any real information about the culture, or the stories main character. But, the pictures are delightful.

Nice book

Two African children Moyo and Japera walk a dusty road from their village to the baobab tree. The children pass savanna wildlife in their journey, and the village life that daily mingles around "the tree of life" is vividly displayed. Then, Moyo sees the giant baobab. Ten children with arms wide open couldn't circle it. The old tree looks upside down; its gnarled branches, like roots, brush against the heavens. But, who will gather today under the baobab tree?The answer: a Christian worship service without elaborate architecture or instrumentation, simple and beautiful.E.B. Lewis's watercolors imaginatively depict the villagers, wildlife, and African landscapes. His illustrations of the people gathering to worship were particularly enjoyable with varied bright hues of clothing.I loved the simplicity and beauty of this picture book. Not only will children enjoy the illustrations and poetic writing, but they will imagine how church may look different and yet be similar in a unfamiliar ethnic context. The front page also contains additional information about the baobab tree for curious parents and children.This review is from my blog No Twiddle Twaddle. I was provided with a review copy from Zondervan.

Take a journey across the beautiful landscapes of Africa with Moyo and Japera, siblings on their way to the baobab tree, which is also known as The Tree of Life. On any given day many different people can be found gathered under the baobab tree. Sometimes there are traveling merchants, and other times the village elders can be found there. As the two children walk there, they see a great variety of the wildlife that the African savannah has to offer. And as they walk, they can't help but wonder: who will gather under the baobab tree today?Told with beautiful language that powerfully evokes precise mental images, "Under the Baobab Tree" is a perfect way for children to escape from the dreariness of city life into an unfamiliar land. Author Julie Stiegemeyer certainly has a way with words, and her simple yet elegant story will draw young readers in. Likewise, E. B. Lewis' watercolor illustrations are the perfect companion to this story. Readers should be aware that there is a strong religious undercurrent in this picture book; some will love the references to God, but others may be turned off by it. This is a lovely book that young readers will surely enjoy.Originally published for San Francisco/Sacramento Book Reviews.

Under the Baobab Tree could take place anywhere in southern Africa. Bits of it remind me of Mozambique or South Africa where my family has lived. E. B. Lewis' beautiful watercolor illustrations show glimpses of African culture as two children imagine various activities that typically go on in the shade of the "tree of life" where they are going. When they arrive, a church service meets under the tree."Here there are no windows or doors.No church bells or steeple.No organ or flowers.Just a cross and a Bible,a pastor and songs,voices and prayers."The story might be a little confusing to young children because the pictures of the various activities going on under the tree are conjecture and not what is actually happening, but with a little interpretative help from adults, this shouldn't be a problem. The book would make a wonderful addition to your church library.