Tina the Tree (Lost Sheep Series)

Nice book for children of a range of ages. There are a couple of sentences for each double page, so is suitable for young kids but the messages are ones that older kids would really appreciate too. The story is written by an Aussie. The pictures are very simple but bright and colourful. In short, this books talks about Tina who is a tree that is running around trying to help. The story was easy for kids to follow and talked about Tina doing her best work when she was rooted in the one spot! This books is part of a great littel series.

Based on Psalm 1:3, this book introduces the fairly abstract metaphor of trees growing beside streams being like people living in God. It is humourous in it's obvious ridiculous of a tree running around to try and be useful, but through Tina's story, the book is a starter for conversations on how Tina's experience relates to us. Due to the story being a metaphor, I would recommend this book to older children, though younger children would certainly still enjoy the story itself.

This story is about a character, called Tina, who is a tree. She always wants to help others, but gets burnt out being there for everyone. She then learns that she is most helpful when she is still and rooted in one spot. I love how this story can relate to so many people, who try to do so much, but then realising that less is more sometimes.

Tina the Tree thinks that to be useful she has to be running around helping everyone, all the time. What she doesn't realise is that God created her to do her best work while being still, having her roots firmly planted by the stream where others can come and find rest within her branches. A great (colourful, fun, comical, very Australian!) reminder to parents and children alike to be who we were created by God to be.