God's Little Seeds: A Book of Parables

In this gentle gem of a book, Le Tord (The River and the Rain: The Lords Prayer) introduces children to two favorite parables of Jesus, ""The Parable of the Sower"" and ""The Parable of the Mustard Seed."" Following a brief description of the word ""parable,"" Le Tord retells the two stories. In the first, a farmer sows seeds which the wind scatters and birds eat; the few that fall on fertile ground thrive, just as humans thrive on God's love. The second story compares faith to a tiny mustard seed that ""grows to be a tall and graceful tree."" Le Tord's spare writing presents the sometimes complicated biblical symbolism in the simplest terms (""He said such wise things that all people who listened to him opened their ears, their eyes and their hearts""); the result may well be powerful for readers. While young children may still struggle with such aspects of faith as ""God is within us, always,"" Le Tord's confident tone offers reassurance. Her bright, sweet watercolors, in cheery shades of yellow, green and blue, suit the two tales of seeds taking root and growing in the sun. Ages 2-6. (June)