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Mark Restaino
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The Fruit Tree Paperback – December 9, 2018

by Mark Restaino (Author), JP Alcomendas (Illustrator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
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“Beautifully illustrated children’s book with a simple story that carries a profound message. Would make an excellent book to read in a Sunday School class.” - D. Chatley

Plant the gospel seed within your child and watch it grow.

This beautifully illustrated children’s book, written by youth minister, Mark Restaino, features a gardener, his fruit tree, a plot against them, and their blooming forgiveness to tell a symbolic gospel story.

Bible verses, displayed in the corner of each image, walk the reader through the story as well as the gospel message.

We pray that this book bears fruit in your family and hope that you will partner with us by investing in a copy today and sharing with your church community.

Perfect for children ages 3-7.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.1 x 8.5 inches
  5. Publication date
    December 9, 2018
  6. ISBN-10
    1790996066
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1790996063
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A gardener plants a fruit tree in a forest. He tends to it and the tree makes him happy by growing tall and producing delicious fruit. The other trees get annoyed though when the fruit tree tries to get them to produce fruit for the gardener and they kill it by stealing all the nutrients from the soil around it and blocking the sun above it. When the gardener mourns his beloved the tree, the other trees grow sorry for their crime and "all quickly realized that it was neither looks nor power nor fun that they desired but love." The gardener plants a new tree from the seed of the old and the whole forest becomes a beautiful orchard with enough food for the whole world. It's a simple story on the surface, but bears Restaino and Alcomendas's penchant for symbolism.

Restaino's depth of symbolism and Biblical typology has impressed me in his other books, but he's really upped his game in The Fruit Tree. The story retains his trademark fairy-tale/fable atmosphere. Alcomendas has also improved drastically as an illustrator. The bright colors and deep contrasts made this book very enjoyable to read through.

I can see a lot of little kids being entertained simply by the pictures of this book even if they haven't learned to read yet. This is beneficial because this team of authors continue their style of using symbolism and typology to teach children Christian and Catholic symbolism that will make them literate in the artistic traditions that make our very architecture proclaim the gospels. They've added a page to the start of the book telling kids to hunt for the symbols, like the wolf, which represents the crowd that crucified Jesus. The sun and birds, often symbols used to refer to the Holy Spirit, especially in stain glass windows, and the shell, traditionally used in Christian baptism ceremonies. I didn't know the Christian significance of that last symbol myself, but there is a handy key at the back of the book for other parents learning Christian symbolism along with their children.

There are also Bible verses to go with each image and if you read them along with the story they offer an even deeper reading that will teach both the child and the parent a lot about the Bible and the literary patterns within its books.

Because of its heavy use of symbolism and typology, this book would be very useful to families who are recent converts to Christianity or Catholicism. Besides just the facts of the dogma, Christianity has a rich artistic and symbolic tradition that can be difficult for outsiders to find learning resources for. This such book is an answer for that need.

A.R.K. Watson
Catholic Reads

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (December 9, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1790996066
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1790996063
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 7 years, from customers
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

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Mark Restaino

Mark Restaino

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Mark Restaino is a full time youth minister and lives in the Chicagoland area with his wife and two daughters.

He got the idea for his first story while on a retreat with his youth group students. His other stories also seem to come to him in the quiet moments as he reflects on his life and relationship with Christ.

He is personally drawn to the symbolism and foreshadowing that God weaves throughout the Bible and believes they serve as beautiful defenses in apologetics.

In reflection of his creator, he strives to write stories that capture readers' hearts and minds while symbolically sharing the faith and gospel message.

He prays that his stories kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit within you, your family, and your church community.

authormarkrestaino.com

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sandra K. Stiles
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book to Love
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am really loving this author's books. In this story we meet a gardener who plants a seed and waters it. The tree grows and produce fruit. The gardener loves the fruit. The fruit tree tries to teach the other trees how to deliver fruit. They refuse. Then they become jealous and do everything they can to kill the fruit tree. When the gardener returns and sees the dead tree he is sad. But he returns and soon he has a new tree growing. The other trees learn from the fruit tree. This is an allegory of the life of Christ. It is a lesson of how we are to live, love and teach others about God. It is written in a manner that children will understand the lesson.
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SweetMarie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Life Lesson
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
I received this as a free ebook. I was very impressed. I loved the graphics. I saw the love of God in the gardener's care for the tree. I also saw life's circumstances in the other trees' jealous behaviors. In the end the moral of the story was do what is right and you will leave a lasting impression or legacy that others will be able to follow. I loved the story, the way it was presented, and the inspiration to do what is right and good will come out of the circumstances. I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling in their life journey--good will come in the end.
One person found this helpful
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Beth Price-Almeida
4.0 out of 5 stars Well, I have no title for this one
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
My son is seven and we lost his brother who was stillborn about 2 years ago. We were told the news at our second ultrasound but the doctor thought that he wouldn't understand the way it was worded(except my boy is super smart). After that he goes through stages of curiosity about death and our souls and such. Naturally, we go to the Bible, but being able to read books like this that make it easy for him to catch on to in his mind is a huge help. BUT, I'm extremely soft hearted and it made me cry. I did well keeping it under control until one specific part about how mean big trees can be to little trees(trying to keep the spoiler out). Reading that made my son just burst into tears so then I did too. It wasn't a bad cry so much as a broken spirit full of sympathy cry. I would definitely suggest this as a wY to help kids understand Jesus and the relationship the world has had with him. You may need to explain some things but only one or two places because the author did an excellent job of making it understandable for little kids.
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Barbara B
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Story & Illustrations!
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
Wonderful heartwarming story with beautiful pictures to enhance the Bible message of God’s love and forgiveness. The Bible verses included in the back make easy reference to reinforce His message. I received the book as a gift and am happy to recommend this book. Enjoy!
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Carolyn Overcash
5.0 out of 5 stars Ambitious Tale
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
An ambitious tale of the life cycle of fruit trees. There are many allegories to life. The tale is above the level of a beginning reader, although it would be good for storytelling with a slightly older age group.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is my 8 year old daughters new favorite book. It was a great story about bullying, and love. I recommend this to anyone who has children, it was a fantastic book.
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Kelly Broughton
5.0 out of 5 stars Love, caring and sharing and selfishness.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Good book to teach children about caring and being selfish.
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Lori Ramsey
1.0 out of 5 stars Would not consider this a book for children
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Too long -- Parable to difficult to grasp and too much darkness for children
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Jan R
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story with deep meaning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
At first read, this is a beautiful little story with messages of kindness and acceptance. It can be enjoyed just as that, however the author has woven in Christian symbols, and so this story may also be used to teach children about the deeper meanings. Whether you are a Christian or not, this is a sweet story with vibrant illustrations that will keep your child entertained.
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