The Good for Nothing Tree

The children dream of its potential: a luscious fig tree with delicious fruit and leaves that create a refuge from the hot summer sun. After a year passes and its branches remain barren, they begin to ask why. The gardener preaches patience. They eagerly watch as another cycle of seasons pass. Hope runs dry and the greenskeeper decides it must go, saying it’s simply “good for nothing.” Devastated, the youngsters plead for more time and even offer to tend to it themselves. Their tender loving care and relentless dedication slowly bring it to life. It becomes all they imagined.

This is a sweet and thoughtful story about perseverance, fortitude, and nurturance. Along with the meaningful message it contains, the vibrant, colorful, and emotion-filled illustrations will pull youth in, willing them to envision the possibilities of what might be, if only they persist. Little ones will find the concept of waiting relentlessly, refusing to give up, relatable. They’ll feel the characters’ pain when they’re told their treasure has lost its value.

The target age range for The Good for Nothing Tree is four to eight. The reading level is between second and third grade. Early elementary school teachers will find this is a great pick for their classrooms.