The Thornbush

by Michael Laughlin

Illustrated by Richard Stergulz

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www.chapters.indigo.ca

A sad, neglected little thornbush grows near a grand palace, its thorns too sharp and flowers too small to be admired. But one day a gentle-eyed man passes by, pushed by a crowd, his hands tied. His kind gaze warms the bush in a way it has never experienced. Little does it know, it will be inextricably linked to this man for all time before the day is through. Soon, another man comes and cuts off some branches, and shortly thereafter, the gentle man returns, this time carrying a cross and wearing--can it be? Yes, on his head is a crown made from the dismal bush's thorns. The thornbush is ashamed of the pain its spikes cause, and refuses to bloom for two days. But on the third day, a woman runs through the streets, crying, "He's alive! Jesus is risen!" and the bush makes peace with its part in the terrible--and wondrous--events. Seen through the eyes of a thornbush, this original perspective on the ancient story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection has a fresh sweetness that will be welcomed by readers of any age. Richard Stergulz's rich paintings fill the pages with color and tenderness. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter (c) Amazon.com

I thought this was a delightful spin on the Biblical Easter story as it tells the crucifixion through the eyes of a thorn bush, whose thorns become the ones on Jesus' crown. It relates the compassion and love of Jesus and His patience as he's led through the streets to his crucifixion. It relates the hope of everlasting life as the little thorn bush is one of the first to hear "He is alive!! Jesus is risen!!" on the third day. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book for Easter and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes finding new and refreshing ways to tell the crucifxion and resurrection story of Jesus. Suitable for ages 3+.