In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest.
"Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?"
"We'll have to leave that one to the Creator." Gran said.
Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother's house! Tressa is thrilled--and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins' nest and learns how God cares for all creatures.
Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear--a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin.
Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations. The Legend of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith.
My Thoughts
I love this time of year! Spring is in the air and new life is all around. One of the first signs in this area is the appearance of robins. It's fun to watch them begin to build their nests and prepare for their new little ones.
Dandi Daley Mackall captures that beautiful event in her book The Legend of the Easter Robin. The story revolves around a little girl, Tressa, and her grandmother. The grandmother shares with Tressa some very interesting traditions and a legend handed down from the Pennsylvania Dutch.
The two of them watch from the window as the momma bird builds her nest and eventually lays four eggs in the nest. Tressa is worried about how to protect them but grandma reminds her that the Creator will protect them.
Some of the interesting activities that the two do together are blowing and coloring eggs. They then turn them into birds by adding some paper decorations and then hang them from the tree out front. Cute ideas to incorporate into your Easter celebrations. The legend itself has no basis in Scripture but it is a lovely way to begin a conversation about the crucifixion of Christ.
I plan on tucking this book into one of my grands Easter baskets. The story is well written with lots of great ideas and conversation starters. The illustrations are beautiful and make the story come alive. If you've got a little one that you will be celebrating Easter with this year you should add this book to their basket.
As Jack stepped inside, the heavenly scent of sweet bread and licorice wafted from the kitchen. Cookies!
But it couldn't be. Mom put every penny dad sent home straight into the cookie jar. There hadn't been a single cookie in that jar for over a year.
When Jack smells something delicious coming from the kitchen, he can't believe his nose. But his excitement turns to disappointment when he learns the cookies aren't for him. Instead, Mother is baking them for the needy people at their church. While Jack helps roll out the dough, his mother tells him the legend of the Christmas cookie--a tender story of giving not just cookies, but gifts of the heart that last forever.
This sweet holiday book offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves and shares the true tale of Jesus' birth.
My Thoughts
Did you know there was a Christmas Cookie legend? I certainly didn't but after reading The Legend of the Christmas Cookie I am anxious to incorporate this tradition into our yearly festivities.
Christmas can be such a difficult time for children. With all the commercials for the perfect toy it can be especially hard on a child from an impoverished home or one where a parent is absent. That's just the situation that Jack is in. The story seems to be set during the depression era and Jack's father has gone away to find work to provide for his family. Due to limited finances he will be unable to return home for the holidays.
One day close to Christmas Jack comes home to find his mother baking some very special cookies. At first Jack is happy because they have not had any cookies in the house all year. When he learns they are not for him but rather needy people in the church he is disappointed. But Jack is a blessed boy because he has a momma that is more concerned with his spiritual well being than his temporary wants.
I loved the beautiful story behind the Christmas cookies. Such a perfect way to teach our children that it truly is better to give than to receive. Just as Christ sacrificed and gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life it is important that we celebrate that act by giving to others and sharing the life giving message of Christ.
If you are looking for another way to have your holidays center around Christ this is the perfect gift. In our homes we read a different Christmas story each night leading up to Christmas and this new addition will be cherished for years to come.
