Mary and the Gardener
This book tells the story of Christ meeting Mary on Easter Sunday. As Mary sits by Jesus’s tomb crying because her Lord is missing, she is interrupted by a gardener. The man asks for whom she is looking, and she explains. Mary recalls all the miracles Jesus performed through her tears, but the loss is too significant to move past her sorrow.
“They’ve taken him away!” she cries. But as the man sows seeds into the ground, she watches, waits, and wonders—memory after memory returns of Jesus cultivating followers, healing the sick, and spreading God’s Word. Then, amidst her sobs, the gardener comforts her, and she instantly recognizes him as the risen Jesus.
This is the perfect Easter book for all ages.
It’s a beautifully illustrated picture book by Leanne Daphne, with an engaging story by Paul Kerensa. There’s a softness about this book, both in the imagery and the message, that draws you in and makes you feel as if you’re sitting alongside Mary, sad yet hopeful. Though the experienced reader knows the story and can guess the conclusion, it seems somehow fresh in this telling.
If you’re looking for the perfect Easter gift for a child (or adult), Mary and the Gardener is a must-buy!
Book and Image Courtesy of Beaming Books.
