The Good for Nothing Tree

by Amy-Jill Levine, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Annie Bowler (Illustrator)

A tiny fig tree needs time to grow. But how much time? All four seasons go by . . . and there are no figs. The seasons pass again. Still no figs! Is the fig tree good for nothing?

Inspired by the parable of the Barren Fig Tree, The Good for Nothing Tree reminds us that the sweetest figs, like many other things, are worth waiting for. Not every tree—and not every child—grows at the same pace. Yet patience, care, and love can change everything, making what may appear "good for nothing" very good.

A note about the parable's New Testament origins and a recipe are included.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Fiction

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Department of Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi; four children's books (with Sandy Sasso); The Gospel of Luke (with Ben Witherington III); and The Jewish Annotated New Testament (co-edited with Marc Z. Brettler). Her most recent books are The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (co-authored with Marc Z. Brettler), Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven; and The Kingdom of Heaven: 40 Devotionals. In 2019 she became the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. Professor Levine, who has done over 300 programs for churches, clergy groups, and seminaries, has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. Institutions granting her honorary degrees include Christian Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.

Reviews

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing that is good for nothing. I say, the value of a thing or a person depends on the where it is testifying and by whom under what conditions & which situations.

Here it is depicted well by the author on the patience of children on getting fruits from the fig tree they planted. Season after season went by but there were no figs on the tree. Gardener decided to cut the tree but children insisted to taken care of it and their patience proved fruitful as well as the fig tree.

All it says, is about to be hopeful and be patient while working for making things work positively.

My NetGalley reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I love the illustrations and the presentation of the basic contents.

Well written with a helpful note from the author towards the end, well illustrated and quite informative for the target audience the book is a must have for schools I would say.

Psst: there's a recipe too!

Thank you, Flyaway Books and the author/artist, for the advance reading copy.

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about giving living beings the time and the patience to grow and become their best. It will make a good conversation starter for kids. Highly recommended!

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Daniele Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every flower blooms when they are ready, every tree takes time to grow. Good things take time and nothing should be rushed. Children will grow and develop in their own time and it is okay for each person to do things at their own pace.

A fig tree is taking too long to bear fruit for an impatient gardener, but a group of caring children know the importance of waiting. They care for the tree month after month, knowing that they will be rewarded for their dedication. Eventually, the tree grows big enough and fig fruits blossom.

Simple prose and delightful illustrations tackle big social and emotional issues in a way that helps readers understand the concept of walking their own path and doing things in their own time. The pressures to perform, learn quickly and succeed first can be overwhelming sometimes and for young children, it can feel like it is all too much to handle. Sometimes, it takes someone a little longer to bloom and that reminder is an important one. Don’t compare yourself to others, your journey is your own. With the love and care of true friends and family, everyone will succeed.

This would be a great addition to a classroom library or for a school counselor. Families may also enjoy having this as a book to read aloud and discuss. Definitely one that children should read. The text of the book is at a lower level that beginning readers could read independently with the assistance of an adult. But, reading this as a family or as a class will give an adult an opportunity to direct the conversation around this book since the themes and subject matter are so important.

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s easy for children to feel as if they are “good for nothing” because they do not commonly make as significant of societal contributions like adults. Sometimes, forgotten in a Christian, technological culture is that care, and nurture are required for all things to bloom. This book, based on one of Jesus’ parables from Luke 13.6-9, reminds us all – children and adults alike – of the value of love so that things can grow.

Levine and Sasso, interestingly, are both Jewish and culturally relate to this parable in a way that many Christians might not. I have known of Levine’s work as a New Testament scholar for some time, and her academic research focuses on the Jewish culture during New Testament times. I am happy to discover that she also writes children’s books!

Bowler’s illustrations in this book are clear and receive my ten-year-old daughter’s seal of approval. Through vivid colors and relatable characters, they bring the story to life and allow all readers to reimagine the meaning behind this ancient text. Sometimes, love and nurture can seem far away from us all in the midst of argument, politics, and strife. Levine and Sasso remind us of its eternal value to both trees and humans.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A minute fig tree is causing concern because it isn't growing and producing fruit like expected. How long will it take everyone wonders?

The seasons come and go and still no fruit appears. Oh my! Is this little tree living up to the name it's been dubbed with... good for nothing? Are the humans going to give up on it and cast it aside? Nooooooo way!!!

The kids take it upon themselves to make it their special project of love. They till the soil underneath it, water it properly, and treat it with special TLC. Will the little tree shed its negative nickname and become an abundant fig producer after all? Somethings take more time to mature ( kids too ) and with adequate care, love and patience something beautiful can emerge that knocks expectations out of the park.

This book is inspired by a parable from the New Testament. The illustrations are colourful, detailed and kid-friendly. They enrich the text and invite young readers into the story. The authors have included the origin of the parable and a recipe to try at the back of the book. I highly recommend this book.

[Nicole Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!!!!!!!
Book: The Good For Nothing Tree
Release Date: RELEASES on March 29, 2022
Author: Amy-Jill Levine; Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Genre: Children's Fiction | Religion & Spirituality

This book was so cute and teaches readers the lesson that patience is a virtue. Another lesson is good things comes to those who wait. While others wanted to give up on this fig tree that didn’t produce figs year after year, the children of the city wanted to wait and give it love and time. And after a long time passed, the fig tree was fruitful and the children enjoyed the figs. This book is appropriate for all ages up to 5th grade. Teachers can use this book to teach moral/lesson, problem/solution, character change, and author’s POV.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @FlyawayBooks for an advanced copy of @TheGoodForNothingTree.

#TheGoodForNothingTree #FlyawayBooks #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #AmazonReads #childrensfiction #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #teacher #educator #classroomreads

[MookNana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a parable based on a passage from the Book of Luke, but while it's explained in an author's note in the end, it's not explicit in the text, so this could be used in both religious and non-religious settings. The story is a lesson about patience, recognizing potential, and giving things time to grow.

I understand what the author was going for, but, for me, the story stumbles a bit. It doesn't seem reasonable to expect a tree to fruit right after planting. Not only would you expect a gardener to be aware of this, but there is also an abrupt shift in the gardener's character. At first she is the one urging patience, but then she very abruptly changes her tune and becomes harsh and discouraging to the children. This might be confusing to young readers.

That said, the art is lovely, the overall message is sweet, and this could be used as a good conversation-starter with kids, as suggested in the author's notes. It might be a good fit for a Sunday school classroom.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of tending a young tree and waiting for it to fruit, waiting longer, perhaps, than expected. The allegory with young people growing up is clear and quite correct.

The drawings are simple and sharply coloured, and given the theme of maturing I would have liked the illustrations to be more detailed. Perhaps the earlier ones could be simplistic and the detail could be embroidered with each page as time passes.

Great to see the kids in the story persevering, caring and displaying teamwork. Otherwise we see nothing of their lives. I don't know why the adult gardener who was first encouraging is then shown as discouraging and the youngsters have to work against advice. I'm pleased to see stories valuing nature. Overall the story is nice, the conversations simplistic and it's suited to kids under six, as stands, when the theme would be relevant to older kids who aren't likely to pick up an early readers' book.

I read this ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

[stephanie cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good for Nothing Tree by Amy-Jill Levine; Sandy Eisenberg Sasso 4/5

A beautiful story with a perfect demonstration on the importance of being patient, caring and consistent with an added bonus of a fig ball recipe at the end.

I enjoyed this story. As a mom with 3 littles, it can be frustrating at times when we plant or even paint something and they have to wait for it to grow or dry. Waiting around can be extremely difficult for some and I noticed when reading this my children were very eager for the fig tree to grow and didn't understand why so many seasons passed before it did. We loved the part of the story where the children go above and beyond to care for the fig tree. Watering it, watching it, trimming it. A great lesson in we should take an interest and care for the things we enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

[Crystal W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good for Nothing Tree is a very sweet story. It’s about a group of children who don’t want to give up on a special tree. Even when the Gardener feels like it’s taking too long to produce it’s fruit.

It’s nice for children to read about others who are being calm, patient, and helpful. The best way to teach is by example, and this story helps with that.

I also enjoy when children’s books have discussion topics and questions for parents and care givers to use. Not everybody can think of these things, and having this area in this book is wonderful.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #FlyawayBooks for the advanced copy. Thank you to #AmyJillLevine, #SandyEisenbergSasso, and #AnnieBowler for the beautiful storyand illustrations.

[Alex Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on a parable from the Gospel of Luke. The parable casts two images side by side. The story in the text as well as the story of our own lives. The fig tree can represent many different things, but we are not expected to find a complete one-on-one exact answer between the parable and what goes on in our lives.

This version talks about allowing children time to grow at their own pace. How many times have you thought your child should be doing something by age whatever? I know I have. Reading this just reassured me that God allows all of us to grow at the pace He wants us to! How comforting and amazing is that?!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a tree but it’s also about having patience. A gardener plants a fig tree and tells everybody it takes time. Then one summer goes by then two summers and still no figs. The gardener wants to replace the tree, but the children say no the tree just needs love which they give it for another year or two or three until eventually the tree produces figs and becomes shade. The kids always knew it just took patience. The story is lovely and sweet. The illustrations are not my favorite, but they did grow on me by the end of the book. I do wish the cover was changed to one of the inside pictures that looks more complete. The current cover seems like a fast slap together.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm... A gardener plants a fig tree, much to the joy of the local children, although they're the only ones left positive it will ever bear any fruit when it seems to have had a hard time growing. It's lucky we're told this is about children, and about how they work and learn at different paces, and that this is a biblical parable. The astute young reader of this will realise that by the time (spoiler, no spoiler) the tree does work out, all the kids so gleefully tending to it through the seasons would have been in their dotage.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on a parable from the Gospel of Luke.

The parable casts two images side by side. The story in the text as well as the story of our own lives.

The fig tree can represent many different things, but we are not expected to find a complete one-on-one exact answer between the parable and what goes on in our lives.

This version talks about allowing children time to grow at their own pace.

How many times have you thought your child should be doing something by age whatever? I know I have!

Reading this just reassured me that God allows all of us to grow at the pace He wants us to!

How comforting and amazing is that?!

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate Levine and Sasso's take on the parable found in Luke 13: 6-9, I didn't find this book particularly memorable. (I had to reread it in order to write this review because I couldn't remember details.) There's not necessarily enough plot to hold the interest of young readers nor enough depth to lead to good discussion. I might still use to supplement the actual Bible reading if I were teaching this passage to 3-5 year olds.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good for Nothing Tree was a gorgeously illustrated book with a sweet story. I loved the vibrancy, and I feel the art style would definitely appeal to kids. The story was about a tree some children plant with a gardener, but the adults want to replace it when it doesn't grow. I loved that this book had a lot of different messages in it and talked about how love and hard work can make a difference. Such a sweet story! I would love to use this book in my classroom.

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

There's no tree that is good for nothing you just have to be more patient! A beautifully illustrated book about a fig tree that took too long to bear fruits, all the adults were impatient and lost hope for it to be of any good use and called it "Good for nothing" but a group of children cared for it month after month until they eventually got rewarded for their dedication!

This book truly shows the value of patience and resignation which is not a really popular topic in childrens books. It teaches children to accept the fact that a process will take a little longer than they might have thought but as the saying goes “Good things come to those who wait.” Children should know that patience allows us to persevere and make more productive decisions, often leading to greater success!

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gardener planted a fig tree, but after three years, it had produced no figs, so everyone decided it was worthless. But the children insisted on taking care of the tree for several more years, letting it bloom in its own time.

This is a terribly predictable story, but it's sweet. I had to wonder why the children never grew older despite so many years passing, but perhaps they, too, are waiting to mature in their own time.

[benita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about not giving up, in this case, on a tree that doesn’t grow like all the other trees. The children choose to give it a lot of love to see if it can grow with care. An inspiring book about not giving up, and I loved it. I recommend if.

4/5

I got this book for free from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautiful illustrations and a simple text, The Good For Nothing Tree, reminds us that things grow at their own pace and we must have patience.
The adults all say the fig tree is good for nothing but it's the children who have faith that the tree will produce figs.
The book also includes a recipe for fig balls.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Flyaway Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this great book. This wonderful book teaches an important lessons of patience, perseverance, as well as that all great things take time. Beautiful illustrations and great storytelling would make this book a great read aloud.

[Paulina M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Total Rating: 3.66 stars

Representation: 7
Story: 5
Illustration: 10

Gorgeous illustrations and a good message for children to fight for what they believe is right and not let others convince them that their efforts are meaningless.

** Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. **

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book concept, a tree planted that does not produce figs quick enough to make the gardener happy. The children are the heroes in the book, and they work at watering, mulching, loving the tree until it grows and produces fruit. The theme of the book is don't give up, keep working --a theme children need to hear. Overall, a good book!

[SamSamSam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why.... do the children look exactly the same multiple years later? Same clothes and everything. Also, wouldn't the gardener like... know that trees take a lot of time to produce fruit? Also, as someone who grew up with a fig tree, it would take multiple MORE years for the tree to get to the size at which it was shown at the end. This was not a win for me.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good For Nothing Tree By Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is a beautiful story about patience and hard work. Just because you want something doesn't mean you necessarily get it when you want it. The gardener in the story was impatient but the children knew that if given time the Tree would give them the figs.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely art and message about patience. I really like how the children drive the story with their belief that the fig tree just needs more time. It is a book ripe (no pun intended) for discussion. Readers can share about times when they related to the gardener when they wanted to give up, or to the children when they believed in something and stuck with it to the end.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't love this as much as their other joint picture books, but this story with confusing actions by the gardener, accurately represents the fig tree parable, explains it in a way everyone can understand, and adds questions at the end to extend it in several different directions.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good for Nothing Tree by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Elsenberg Sasso is a take on the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. It was a cute story. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Mr. George The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time, patience, perseverance are some of the conversations this book envokes.