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The Olive Tree
The house next door to Sameer's had been empty for as long as he could remember. The family had gone away when the war began. But now they were back, and he was ready to have fun with his new playmate . Together they could climb the big olive tree that overlooked both their gardens, and eat the delicious olives it produced. The only problem was that Muna, the little girl next door, didn't want to play and she didn't want to share the olives. She said they belonged to her family alone―that is, until one fateful night when lightning struck the tree.
Poignantly told by award-winning author Elsa Marston and with beautiful paintings from award-winning illustrator Claire Ewart, The Olive Tree follows two children as they learn to share and work together by looking past their differences. It shows young readers that compassion and understanding lie at the heart of all friendships.
Poignantly told by award-winning author Elsa Marston and with beautiful paintings from award-winning illustrator Claire Ewart, The Olive Tree follows two children as they learn to share and work together by looking past their differences. It shows young readers that compassion and understanding lie at the heart of all friendships.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Elsa Marston
25 books2 followersElsa Harik, known professionally as Elsa Marston, is an American author of children's books about the Middle East and North Africa. She died after completing her last book, "I Just Kept Walking."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 4, 2024
Two Children In Lebanon
"The Olive Tree" is a lovely new book that will encourage children between the ages of four and eight to see how children can learn to be friends even with differences and disagreements. The book also will help children and their parents to explore difficult themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, Elsa Marston, an Indiana-based author of many children's books with Middle Eastern settings wrote the story while Claire Ewart, also based in Indiana, prepared the illustrations.
The book is set in Lebanon at the end of the long civil war. The conflict is barely mentioned and is referred to only by the term "the trouble". A family who had left their village during the trouble because they were different from their neighbors returns home. Sameer, a young boy, hopes his returning neighbors will have a friend for him to play with. The neighbors, however, are cool and reserved. Their daughter, Muna, shows no interest in befriending Sameer.
Sameer and Muna quarrel when olives from a tree on Muna's side of the wall fall into the yard of Sameer's family. The relationship between the two children becomes icy. Then, when a severe thunderstorm destroys the old olive tree, Sameer and Muna find a way to patch up their disagreements and to become friends.
Marston tells the story is told in a simple, subdued way. Ewart's illustrations are in a beautiful pastel watercolor that capture the native Lebanese dress and the rural surroundings. The illustrations are primarily in light, welcoming colors with the exception of the two-page spread of the storm which is in a dark foreboding blue over a rich green. The drawings complement the story.
The olive tree is, of course, a universal symbol of peace. Children will learn how the destruction of the tree helps bring friendship between distrustful neighbors.
This little story has its own history. Marston first wrote the work in 1992 for "Highlights for Children" magazine where it won a contest for children's fiction. In 1994, the story received the Paul Witty Short Story Award from the International Reading Association. "The Olive Tree" has now been published for the first time, in 2014, in picture book format, with permission from "Highlights for Children".
The publisher of this book, Wisdom Tales Press, specializes in books for children that explore different religious and spiritual traditions from around the world and that encourage young people to think about ethical issues. Wisdom Tales Press kindly sent me a copy of "The Olive Tree" to review.
Robin Friedman
"The Olive Tree" is a lovely new book that will encourage children between the ages of four and eight to see how children can learn to be friends even with differences and disagreements. The book also will help children and their parents to explore difficult themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, Elsa Marston, an Indiana-based author of many children's books with Middle Eastern settings wrote the story while Claire Ewart, also based in Indiana, prepared the illustrations.
The book is set in Lebanon at the end of the long civil war. The conflict is barely mentioned and is referred to only by the term "the trouble". A family who had left their village during the trouble because they were different from their neighbors returns home. Sameer, a young boy, hopes his returning neighbors will have a friend for him to play with. The neighbors, however, are cool and reserved. Their daughter, Muna, shows no interest in befriending Sameer.
Sameer and Muna quarrel when olives from a tree on Muna's side of the wall fall into the yard of Sameer's family. The relationship between the two children becomes icy. Then, when a severe thunderstorm destroys the old olive tree, Sameer and Muna find a way to patch up their disagreements and to become friends.
Marston tells the story is told in a simple, subdued way. Ewart's illustrations are in a beautiful pastel watercolor that capture the native Lebanese dress and the rural surroundings. The illustrations are primarily in light, welcoming colors with the exception of the two-page spread of the storm which is in a dark foreboding blue over a rich green. The drawings complement the story.
The olive tree is, of course, a universal symbol of peace. Children will learn how the destruction of the tree helps bring friendship between distrustful neighbors.
This little story has its own history. Marston first wrote the work in 1992 for "Highlights for Children" magazine where it won a contest for children's fiction. In 1994, the story received the Paul Witty Short Story Award from the International Reading Association. "The Olive Tree" has now been published for the first time, in 2014, in picture book format, with permission from "Highlights for Children".
The publisher of this book, Wisdom Tales Press, specializes in books for children that explore different religious and spiritual traditions from around the world and that encourage young people to think about ethical issues. Wisdom Tales Press kindly sent me a copy of "The Olive Tree" to review.
Robin Friedman
July 23, 2018
Assigned reading for MLIS 7421: Multicultural Youth Literature.
When a boy's neighbors return home after having been sent away due to threat of war, a fight ensues between the respective households' children over who the olive tree on the property's dividing line belongs to. This was a cute enough book, but had a particularly weak story.
When a boy's neighbors return home after having been sent away due to threat of war, a fight ensues between the respective households' children over who the olive tree on the property's dividing line belongs to. This was a cute enough book, but had a particularly weak story.
November 6, 2014
The setting is in Lebanon and Sameer is longingly looking forward to the return of his neighbours who have fled during the war.
" The family who had lived there had gone away during the troubles, because they were different from most of the people in the village."
He is hoping that he will find a friend his age to play with and spend time with. When the family returns a child is present, but it's not a boy as Sameer wished, but a girl....a very unfriendly girl.
For years Sameer's family has been enjoying the bounty of the magnificent olive tree that bows down across a stone barrier fence between the neighbour's property and his. He would gather the rich, ripe olives for his mother and she would add lemon and salt, making them the most delicious olives in all the land. Muna, the little girl who moved in next door is not happy about him collecting "her olives" and accuses him of stealing them away from her family. You see the trunk of the tree is in her yard and only some branches of the tree spread over to Sameer dropping the olives on his side of the fence.
One fateful night a huge storm arrives and lightning strikes the tree causing it to split and crash to the ground. The sheer magnitude of the crash crumbles the wall leaving an open gap between the neighbour's homes. Stunned at the devastation, Sameer decides to be a good Samartian and help Muna and her family clear the ruination. Muna with a grateful heart offers the olive branch of peace and leaves Sameer a gift to show he is a proven friend indeed.
" The family who had lived there had gone away during the troubles, because they were different from most of the people in the village."
He is hoping that he will find a friend his age to play with and spend time with. When the family returns a child is present, but it's not a boy as Sameer wished, but a girl....a very unfriendly girl.
For years Sameer's family has been enjoying the bounty of the magnificent olive tree that bows down across a stone barrier fence between the neighbour's property and his. He would gather the rich, ripe olives for his mother and she would add lemon and salt, making them the most delicious olives in all the land. Muna, the little girl who moved in next door is not happy about him collecting "her olives" and accuses him of stealing them away from her family. You see the trunk of the tree is in her yard and only some branches of the tree spread over to Sameer dropping the olives on his side of the fence.
One fateful night a huge storm arrives and lightning strikes the tree causing it to split and crash to the ground. The sheer magnitude of the crash crumbles the wall leaving an open gap between the neighbour's homes. Stunned at the devastation, Sameer decides to be a good Samartian and help Muna and her family clear the ruination. Muna with a grateful heart offers the olive branch of peace and leaves Sameer a gift to show he is a proven friend indeed.
November 13, 2014
When Lebanon was wracked by war, some families stayed and some fled. Sameer’s family kept an eye on the house next door, and enjoyed the fruit dropped by the olive tree between their properties. Muna’s family fled. But now they’re home.
While Sameer longs for a new playmate to climb the tree with him, Muna’s more concerned to keep things safe and right, and hang on to what’s hers. And the olive tree, that could unite them, has grown on her side of the fence.
Author Elsa Marston never explains why Muna’s family fled, or why they might seem unfriendly on their return. What readers see is what a child will see, illustrated with haunting simplicity by Claire Ewart, and described with smoothly lyrical writing and voice. When Sameer is told he can’t enjoy the olives anymore, he lets them rot on the ground, and nothing more is said, no argument... until the storm.
Two families, separated by an olive tree, are united in the end by surprising kindness when nature takes a hand. Meanwhile readers gain a glimpse into a different culture, a smile from a different world, and a wonderful story of sharing, forgiveness and hope to offer to children everywhere.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher and I offer my honest review. It’s a beautiful book!
While Sameer longs for a new playmate to climb the tree with him, Muna’s more concerned to keep things safe and right, and hang on to what’s hers. And the olive tree, that could unite them, has grown on her side of the fence.
Author Elsa Marston never explains why Muna’s family fled, or why they might seem unfriendly on their return. What readers see is what a child will see, illustrated with haunting simplicity by Claire Ewart, and described with smoothly lyrical writing and voice. When Sameer is told he can’t enjoy the olives anymore, he lets them rot on the ground, and nothing more is said, no argument... until the storm.
Two families, separated by an olive tree, are united in the end by surprising kindness when nature takes a hand. Meanwhile readers gain a glimpse into a different culture, a smile from a different world, and a wonderful story of sharing, forgiveness and hope to offer to children everywhere.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher and I offer my honest review. It’s a beautiful book!
November 16, 2014
The Olive Tree by Elsa Marston, illustrated by Claire Ewart, offers young readers a peek into the richness and complexity of the Middle East through a simple tale of division and conflict that culminates into a hopeful story of friendship and unity. A classic symbol of peace and prosperity, this olive tree is planted next to a wall dividing two families. The tree itself is rooted in the property of one, while the fruits of the tree fall freely on the other side of the wall onto the property of the other.
The main character, Sameer, has remained in his home despite the troubles of war, waiting for his neighbors to return and hoping that the family would have a boy his age. Instead, they return with a daughter, Muna, who wants nothing to do with Sameer and even accuses him of stealing their olives when he collects those that fall upon his family’s property. When a storm destroys the old olive tree, the two discover the benefits of forgiveness, sharing and cooperation and plant a new olive tree for their families to share.
Ewart’s watercolor paintings capture the earthy tones of the lush Lebanese countryside as well as the tempestuous storm that destroys the divide and clears the way for a new beginning. From the expressive eyes of Sameer and Muna to their endearingly animated goat and donkey, the illustrations add depth and impact to Marston’s strongly crafted text.
The main character, Sameer, has remained in his home despite the troubles of war, waiting for his neighbors to return and hoping that the family would have a boy his age. Instead, they return with a daughter, Muna, who wants nothing to do with Sameer and even accuses him of stealing their olives when he collects those that fall upon his family’s property. When a storm destroys the old olive tree, the two discover the benefits of forgiveness, sharing and cooperation and plant a new olive tree for their families to share.
Ewart’s watercolor paintings capture the earthy tones of the lush Lebanese countryside as well as the tempestuous storm that destroys the divide and clears the way for a new beginning. From the expressive eyes of Sameer and Muna to their endearingly animated goat and donkey, the illustrations add depth and impact to Marston’s strongly crafted text.
November 14, 2014
Extend an olive branch in a gesture of peace...
Wisdom Tales Press brings us another quality children's book. I have read many of their books in the past and have been impressed with the high calibre of their offerings.
THE OLIVE TREE is a wonderful story by author Elsa Marston and illustrated beautifully by Claire Ewart.
The story is for children ages 5 years old and up but even younger children might appreciate the messages of overcoming prejudices, and showing sharing and compassion to each other.
Sameer and Muna are neighbors that start out fighting but, after a fierce storm hits their area, end up with a broken wall between their homes (bringing down the physical barrier between the families) and also the storm knocks over the old olive tree the children had been fighting over. The children literally offer olive branches in gestures of peace to each other.
This is a lovely story with a strong message for peace.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Wisdom Tales Press brings us another quality children's book. I have read many of their books in the past and have been impressed with the high calibre of their offerings.
THE OLIVE TREE is a wonderful story by author Elsa Marston and illustrated beautifully by Claire Ewart.
The story is for children ages 5 years old and up but even younger children might appreciate the messages of overcoming prejudices, and showing sharing and compassion to each other.
Sameer and Muna are neighbors that start out fighting but, after a fierce storm hits their area, end up with a broken wall between their homes (bringing down the physical barrier between the families) and also the storm knocks over the old olive tree the children had been fighting over. The children literally offer olive branches in gestures of peace to each other.
This is a lovely story with a strong message for peace.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 20, 2014
Be Neighborly Not Selfish And Paranoid
This is a story of healing the rifts brought about by war and strife between two different cultures living in the same area. Sameer is of the culture who stayed with the land while Muna is of the culture who fled rather than trust their neighbors to not turn on them. It teaches that living together in harmony is the best policy as coexistence and working together makes a community more than just the sum of all of its parts. I loved this story and the messages it teaches! I can't wait to share this Wisdom Tale as well as many others with my children!
***This book is written at a grade school level but is suitable to be read to or with younger children
This is a story of healing the rifts brought about by war and strife between two different cultures living in the same area. Sameer is of the culture who stayed with the land while Muna is of the culture who fled rather than trust their neighbors to not turn on them. It teaches that living together in harmony is the best policy as coexistence and working together makes a community more than just the sum of all of its parts. I loved this story and the messages it teaches! I can't wait to share this Wisdom Tale as well as many others with my children!
***This book is written at a grade school level but is suitable to be read to or with younger children
October 31, 2014
Set in Lebanon, this story has lovely illustrations and teaches a lesson about being friendly and helpful. When Sameer's neighbors return to their home after being gone for many years due to "troubles" in the country, he hopes that they will have a son who he can be friends with. Instead, they have an unfriendly daughter who tells him that the wonderful olives that fall off of the tree that grows in her yard, but overhangs into his yard belong to her family only. Then, lightening strikes the tree and though the adults walk away sadly, the children finally find a way to share and become friends. I received this book free to review from Netgalley and I highly recommend it.
December 3, 2014
This story is beautifully and simply told. It tugs at the heart-strings and encourages all of us to do better, be generous, and work together. Along with Elsa Marston poignant story are exquisite illustrations by Claire Ewart which bring the story to life and gives us a glimpse into the beautiful country of Lebanon.
I highly recommend the The Olive Tree. It’s one that will grace our coffee table for years to come.
I highly recommend the The Olive Tree. It’s one that will grace our coffee table for years to come.
November 30, 2014
Beautifully illustrated story of forgiveness and learning to live side by side. Sameer and Muna are neighbors in Lebanon brought together by misfortune. The touching conclusion could provide a great springboard in the classroom for discussing ways to resolve differences.
March 21, 2015
The story was a bit meh, but I loved the setting and the illustrations.
September 28, 2019
So here it is, better late than never, the review of ‘The Olive Tree’ read first in 2015!
Here it is, better late than never, the review of ‘The Olive Tree’ read first in 2015!
A book about friendship, helping your neighbors, about conflict turning to peace, about division turning to unity.
Sameer is looking forward to the fact that his neighbors are returning after many years, now that the ‘long war is over’; and hoping for a friend. But that is not what happens. Muna, the girl who returns next door chooses to ignore Sameer. And while one war has ended, a war of another kind begins over the olive tree that has been between the two homes for over a hundred years.
Sameer is told not to take the olives that were falling into his yard, since the tree belongs to Muna’s family. The story takes a turn when a storm blows in and paves a path for new beginnings.
Elsa Marston crafts a sweet story that talks about tough times as seen through the eyes of a child; and Claire Ewart’s watercolors lend the perfect balance to her words by giving a glimpse into beautiful Lebanon while using colors to add to the emotional content of the story.
In Summary
A great book to add to your child’s library; and definitely to classroom libraries for elementary school age children. This book offers a message of hope, goodwill, sharing and caring, friendship, and (literally) an olive tree of peace!
Rating: 4/5
Reading Level: 5 – 8 years (and above!)
Reread Level: 4/5 (to understand the messages and the symbolism, and to enjoy the illustrations)
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the original digital review copy of the book. These are my honest opinions.
Here it is, better late than never, the review of ‘The Olive Tree’ read first in 2015!
A book about friendship, helping your neighbors, about conflict turning to peace, about division turning to unity.
Sameer is looking forward to the fact that his neighbors are returning after many years, now that the ‘long war is over’; and hoping for a friend. But that is not what happens. Muna, the girl who returns next door chooses to ignore Sameer. And while one war has ended, a war of another kind begins over the olive tree that has been between the two homes for over a hundred years.
Sameer is told not to take the olives that were falling into his yard, since the tree belongs to Muna’s family. The story takes a turn when a storm blows in and paves a path for new beginnings.
Elsa Marston crafts a sweet story that talks about tough times as seen through the eyes of a child; and Claire Ewart’s watercolors lend the perfect balance to her words by giving a glimpse into beautiful Lebanon while using colors to add to the emotional content of the story.
In Summary
A great book to add to your child’s library; and definitely to classroom libraries for elementary school age children. This book offers a message of hope, goodwill, sharing and caring, friendship, and (literally) an olive tree of peace!
Rating: 4/5
Reading Level: 5 – 8 years (and above!)
Reread Level: 4/5 (to understand the messages and the symbolism, and to enjoy the illustrations)
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the original digital review copy of the book. These are my honest opinions.
March 17, 2018
The Olive Tree is a historical fiction book. Historical fiction is defined as a fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past. Often the setting is real, but the characters are made up from the author's imagination. This book has a target audience of primary grade level students. With this, a text-to-self connection I made while reading this book was to one particular part of the book. There is a part in the book where the olive tree is struck by lightening, and shattered into pieces, and it is mentioned how much one of the main characters Sameer, will miss the tree. This reminded me of times throughout my life where I have lost things, such as materialistic things, as well as people in my life that I loved very much, and how much I missed them. Moving on, a text-to-text connection I made while reading this book was to a book called Jamaica and Brianna by Juanita Havill. The Olive Tree and Jamaica and Brianna connect to one another because both of these books revolve around life lessons. Both of these books emphasize the concept of people setting aside their differences, obtaining a friendship, and acquiring peace within a friendship. Not to mention that both of these books highlight specific ethnic groups. Jamaica and Brianna highlight people of African American decent, and people of Asian decent. While The Olive Tree highlights people of Lebanese decent. Going off of this, a text-to-world connection that I made while reading The Olive Tree was to the time in Lebanon where war broke out between 1975 and 1991. During this time in Lebanon, many people and families had to flee their homes, and the country was in great distress. This affected many people and still relates to the world today.
April 29, 2024
"The Olive Tree" is a story of hope and reconciliation, highlighting the potential for peace and understanding in even the most divided communities. It encourages readers to look beyond the surface and recognize the humanity in others, fostering empathy and compassion in the face of conflict. Overall, "The Olive Tree" is a powerful and timely picture book that offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. With its engaging storytelling and stunning illustrations, it's sure to inspire readers of all ages to seek understanding and work towards a brighter future for all.
October 29, 2018
Good story
March 9, 2020
Wow. Didn't expect that to happen, but a good way for the kids to learn what happens from being being stubborn and possessive. Great for any ages.
September 17, 2020
Very good story about children living in the Middle East and learning to show love to each other!
May 22, 2024
God really said, nah now nobody gets olives.
I think this book does its job pretty well. It's about being a good neighbor and helping each other out.
4/5
I think this book does its job pretty well. It's about being a good neighbor and helping each other out.
4/5
March 7, 2015
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.
Cool Flip-Flopping Tip: Parents can download a coloring page from this book.
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.
Reviewed for Flip Flop Living blog: http://studio-m-crafts.blogspot.com/2...
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.
Cool Flip-Flopping Tip: Parents can download a coloring page from this book.
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.
Reviewed for Flip Flop Living blog: http://studio-m-crafts.blogspot.com/2...
January 16, 2015
Muna and her family fled their home in Lebanon during the war. While they were gone, Sameer, the neighbor boy, took care of their precious olive tree that had been in Muna's family for a hundred years. While gathering olives, Sameer would dream about the family that lived next door. He would imagine them returning and having a son that he could play with. One day, Sameer looked out and the family had returned. His excitement turned to sadness when he found the family had a daughter, not a son, and she was not interested in playing or being nice. As Sameer picked up the olives that the tree had dropped into his yard, he meets the neighbor girl who has no interest in sharing the olives off of HER tree. Sameer is disappointed and angry until one evening, everything changes.
This is a sweet story of friendship, forgiveness and sharing. I like that it is set in a different culture, which makes the story more unique and gives us something else to learn about and discuss with your child.
The illustrations are beautiful and look like water colors. I love how the illustrator added animals into the photos even though they have nothing to do with the story. Each photo is filled with details to keep your child interested in the pictures as much as the story.
This is an excellent picture book to share with your child. The lesson it shares can apply to all of us.
This is a sweet story of friendship, forgiveness and sharing. I like that it is set in a different culture, which makes the story more unique and gives us something else to learn about and discuss with your child.
The illustrations are beautiful and look like water colors. I love how the illustrator added animals into the photos even though they have nothing to do with the story. Each photo is filled with details to keep your child interested in the pictures as much as the story.
This is an excellent picture book to share with your child. The lesson it shares can apply to all of us.
February 22, 2015
An amazing culturally responsive interactive read aloud. From the moment you open the cover you will be drawn in by the stunning illustrations. The Olive Tree is a story about two Lebanese children and how they find friendship through the destruction of an olive tree. This book is perfect for the classroom:
• Problem/solution and how they are connected. Both the problem and solution are easy for young readers to understand.
• Lesson/moral – friendship
• Symbolism – olive tree, brick wall, transferring of wood to neighbor’s yard, olives in the basket, headscarves, etc.
• Predicting with evidence to support thinking
• Using context clues for new vocabulary
• Retelling – this book is written with distinct events that makes teaching retelling easy for emergent readers
• Types of print (bold/italics) Why does the author do that?
Elsa Marston eloquently captures the understanding of friendship but she also sparks my interest to learn and understand more. The Olive Tree is a beautiful multi-cultural book that should be shared with all school age children. 5 beautiful stars.
• Problem/solution and how they are connected. Both the problem and solution are easy for young readers to understand.
• Lesson/moral – friendship
• Symbolism – olive tree, brick wall, transferring of wood to neighbor’s yard, olives in the basket, headscarves, etc.
• Predicting with evidence to support thinking
• Using context clues for new vocabulary
• Retelling – this book is written with distinct events that makes teaching retelling easy for emergent readers
• Types of print (bold/italics) Why does the author do that?
Elsa Marston eloquently captures the understanding of friendship but she also sparks my interest to learn and understand more. The Olive Tree is a beautiful multi-cultural book that should be shared with all school age children. 5 beautiful stars.
March 2, 2015
The Olive Tree by Elsa Marston and beautifully illustrated by Claire Ewart is a heart-warming tale of sharing and bonding over an olive tree between Muna and Sameer's homes. The story was reminiscent of the tale of King Solomon's wisdom where two mother's claimed an infant child belonged to them. King Solomon suggested splitting the child in two so that each could have half knowing the true mother would likely give up her child rather than see the baby die. The story of The Olive Tree is not quite the same yet similar enough to draw the correlation. It is definitely worth the read and a great lesson in sharing the good and the troubles of life. I also really enjoyed the setting and the current time period in which the story takes place. So many children's books are written for what seems to be an era that has passed, and it is good to know that such good lessons can be brought into the present day and the world as it is for our children to read now.
December 10, 2014
This beautifully illustrated tale is set in post-war torn Lebanon as families start to return to their homes. Sameer has lived next door to the empty house for years and his family have harvested fruit from the old olive tree that overhangs both gardens but now the family are returning. He hopes they will have a son with whom he can play but they don’t - they have a daughter instead. This book tells about when Muna and her family return to her family home, which they had left because of the war and how Muna doesn’t want to share the olives with Sameer and his family. How can the families be brought together? The book gently explores how through forgiveness reconciliation can occur. I actually thought the story delightful but wanted to know more about what happened next, it seemed cut short - I wanted more!
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
January 4, 2015
The first thing I noticed were the illustrations – they are beautiful!
I am a big fan of Wisdom Tales books because they tend to be short reads that have good lessons for kids to learn.
The Olive Tree was no exception.
The book is easy to read and provides a story of sharing for the kids.
The blurb above gives a good overview of what the story is – it is very straight to the point and is definitely something I am sure adults can definitely relate too, but it is written from the view of a child – for children.
It is a great lesson for the kids and I know that my kids certainly enjoy it!
I am a big fan of Wisdom Tales books because they tend to be short reads that have good lessons for kids to learn.
The Olive Tree was no exception.
The book is easy to read and provides a story of sharing for the kids.
The blurb above gives a good overview of what the story is – it is very straight to the point and is definitely something I am sure adults can definitely relate too, but it is written from the view of a child – for children.
It is a great lesson for the kids and I know that my kids certainly enjoy it!
March 12, 2016
The Olive Tree by Elsa Marston tells the story of an olive tree that divides families. It stands in the yard of a family in the Middle East who has fled during the war, but its olives fall into the yard of the neighbor next door. When the olive tree owners return, the neighbors are disappointed to learn that the owners angrily declare that collecting the olives is stealing. The olives lay on the ground. The owners and the neighbors are estranged. Then lightning hits the tree and destroys it, and the families are somehow reconciled. Beautiful story.
February 10, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads.com. This is a great children's book that teachs child how to be nice to one another and how to share what they have. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The pictures are great as well!!
March 4, 2015
This was a nice book about sharing and values. When a little girl moves in and doesn't allow the neighbor to have the olives that fall into his yard, one major change brings the two together to realize what is really important. I thought this was a good story for a young reader.
October 14, 2016
This book had wonderful water color illustrations! I love how the book was based upon the tree and the children in the story. The tree was a blessing to both families in the end of the story. A good book about peace and learning to get along despite differences.
January 11, 2015
ARC supplied by publisher via NetGalley
June 4, 2015
A beloved olive tree teaches two Middle Eastern children how to make peace in this nicely illustrated, poignant story about reconciliation.
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