Why the Thinking Tree Series?
Words have power and, when used with a focus on God honoring principles, can help us to visualize what following God looks like. It is clear from the Bible—especially the Old Testament—that stories are powerful ways God communicates with us about His character, His love for us, and His hopes and plans. Since we are created in His image it follows that a Christ honoring story can help us understand what it means to walk with Jesus.
As an avid journaler and someone who loves literature, writing is something that I greatly enjoy. When I retired from teaching, I had always planned to write, and after becoming a grandmother realized I wanted to write stories for children. Okay, so perhaps a little transparency is needed here—I love to read children’s books! They are so full of wonder, and I just enjoy the simplicity, so I wanted to write something like that.
God placed The Thinking Tree Series on my heart after the death of my greatly loved Aunt Rhea. I still recall her saying “Why don’t you just think?” when one of us would do something unwise—like jump off the garage or well, you get the idea. How much different would life be if we all took a moment to think before we acted, or reacted?
My prayer is that the stories I write will glorify God, encourage little ones (and all those who are children at heart) that God loves them deeply and has a wonderful plan for their lives. For the adults who are privileged to read these books to a child I pray that you too will come away with a sense of childlike wonder and joy.
Thomas and the Great Kitchen Fire
Second Edition
Being nine years old is very exciting, especially for a curious young man like Thomas who enjoys exploring the world around him. As is sometimes the case, exploration and experimentation can lead to amazing discoveries or tremendous disasters. It was on one of those fateful days, when Thomas was exploring a new way to make paint at home, that one of those "tremendous disasters" occurred. Trouble was not new to Thomas, but on this day, he would discover a very important lesson about the importance of thinking before you act. The day of the great kitchen fire proved to be not only a tremendous disaster, but also an amazing discovery.
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Zoe and the Not So Good Deed
Zoe loved ice cream and mom and dad promised a special treat once the girls’ rooms were clean. It seemed so simple, she would help Joy with her room and then they could all go for ice cream. Helping always seems like a great choice and for Zoe it seemed like a win, win situation. Who knew that what seemed like a good deed would turn out so wrong? It was not fair! She had just wanted to help. But, as she figured out later, helping is not always best and things are not always what they seem. Zoe discovered that obedience is the best choice, and the deep dark forest may hold something very surprising—if you have the courage to trust and obey. Under the thinking tree, Zoe had time to consider and received something even better than ice cream.
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David and When Your Best is Not Good Enough
David was a precocious young man. He was ten yearsold and the oldest boy in his family. In context, he had three older sisters! David loved to try new things.He tried the clarinet, but it didn't seem cool. Then he decided he wanted to do martial arts. That was fun for a while, but he really wasn't that coordinated, so he decided it wasn't for him. However, shortly after his tenth birthday, he finally found an activity that seemed to be "the one." Well, that is what he told mom and dad when they questioned him about buying paints, an easel, canvases, and all the other tools every great painter needs.
David worked extremely hard on his art; Mom and Dad were impressed. The night of the big art show at the community center, David unveiled his painting. For the first time, others were allowed to see his absolute best work. However, not everyone thought it was awesome.
What happened next was unexpected and led David to discover a talent, a gift he never even thought of, and to explore what happens when even your best does not seem quite good enough.
Hardback
ISBN: 979-8-9925091-6-8
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Paperback
ISBN: 979-8-9925091-7-5
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