The Marvelous Mustard Seed

Written by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Margaux Meganck
Published April 26, 2018

Why we chose this book:

T is interested in the plants in our yard. He has also been asking a lot of questions about God. When I read about this publication from Flyaway Books, which uses the mustard plant to introduce the concept of God's kingdom, I requested a review copy (in case it wasn't obvious, they did provide one).

Mom's Review

Children care for a mustard plant, from seed to tree; a narrator likens the mustard plant's growth to the Kingdom of God at the conclusion of the book.

After reading The Marvelous Mustard Seed, T is super excited about growing a mustard seed. We harvested a foot-tall mustard plant from the middle of the lawn (someone needs to mow that...). His intent is that we grow a tree as large as the one in the book. The natural world component of this book has clearly made a big impact. T understands the life cycle of the mustard plant, he's interested in finding the plant outdoors, and is patiently caring for our little uprooted-and-replanted treasure. The theological aspect of this book was a bit above T's head on first reading. The authors draw on Jesus's parable of the mustard seed. The difference here is that the focus is on children participating in the growth of the plant: they plant it, water it, wait for it to grow, and finally play beneath it. The Christian connection between mustard and God's kingdom is not apparent until the end, where the narrator likens the two. This book prompted more conversations about God and Jesus and religion and what are Christians and what other ways to pray are there and and and...
And, it has us growing a mustard plant in a bucket. Bottom line: Fun book about planting, good starting point to discuss what it means to have faith in God.

Son's Review
(age 3)

Mom: What did the mustard seed turn into? How? What did it need?

Son: A tree. It grew. Water. A kid and his mommy. (pointing) This one's the kid and this one's the mommy.

Mom: I think the artist meant for both to be kids, but I can see why you might think that.

Son: The other one looks like a kid because it's little and that one looks like it's big. So I think it's the mommy.

Mom: That makes sense. That's very observant. I wanted to know if you do any planting...

Son: I do. Marigolds. Dress carefully for ticks. When you come in, do a tick check.
(We do this carefully, and it has clearly made an impact on him. Outside activity=tick warning from him.)

Mom: What was your favorite part of the book?

Son: When it grooooowwwws.

Mom: Did this book make you want to do anything?

Son: It makes me feel like I want to be in the forest.
(We had already planted our mustard plant when we did the "official" review.)

Mom: When is it a good time to read this book?

Son: When it's time to plant. Because it's about planting.

Mom: The authors wanted to teach you something wonderful about God. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed because it starts teeny and grows into something big. What do you think that might mean about God?

Son: *long pause* God is there and you won't miss God.

Mom: Do you have an idea what the Kingdom of God is like?

Son: It's heaven. I think it's unusual. Since you can't see God. Why can't you see God?

Mom: I don't have a good answer for that.

Mom: What do you want people to know about this book?

Son: It was exciting.