3 Lessons from The Carrot Seed
Sophia received a copy of The Carrot Seed for her 4th birthday last week. I’m not up to speed on classic children’s books, but my wife is. Apparently this 1945 piece of literature by Ruth Krauss is the cream of the crop when it comes to children’s picture books. Let’s just say I cannot disagree with that.
It chronicles the tale of a small boy who plants a carrot seed and, despite others’ telling him “it won’t come up”, sees it sprout into a spectacular, award-winning carrot.
It’s short, uncomplicated and undeniably straightforward.
It’s the perfect book for a four-year old!
As I’ve read the book with my girls this past week, three specific and distinct lessons are conveyed:
1. Simplicity. You can read the book in less than 5 minutes. It’s short and to the point; yet, the lessons conveyed are deep and meaningful. Sometimes we try to over-analyze and lead with the mindset of information-overload (“got to make sure all bases are covered!”), but in the end, a simple phrase can resonate and speak to a person in a much more powerful way.
2. Conviction. The little boy’s faith is steadfast. Even with his parents and older brother opposing his ‘mission’, he remained true to his belief that the carrot would one day sprout. How often do we allow our dreams to be discouraged by a naysayer, or forsake our conviction in what is right for the pleasure in the moment?
3. Persistence. When the possibility of doubt crept in, the boy did not give up. He pressed on in the face of adversity by remaining faithful. The book said that he “pulled up the weeds around it every day and sprinkled the ground with water”. What weeds need pulling and ground needs watering in our lives?
Books like The Pursuit of God, Radical, and The Ragamuffin Gospel are great, but sometimes God uses the simplest of of stories to touch our hearts.
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What is your favorite children’s book? What do you like about it?
Arny
October 21, 2011Are you my mother? Dr. sues…
And Oh the wonderful places you’ll go! Dr. Sues…
Arny
October 21, 2011Also…my mom used to read a lot of Amelia Badelia too! lol…
Till I got cool and read comic books! lol…
Dustin
October 21, 2011Nothing wrong with Comic Books. Did you have a favorite?
Dustin
October 21, 2011Just read Are You My Mother last night! Loved that as a kid (and now).
Larry Hehn
October 21, 2011Wow, I had never heard of The Carrot Seed before. It sounds great!
One of my favorites is Max Lucado’s You Are Special. It always makes my eyes leak.
Dustin
October 21, 2011Nice! I didn’t know Lucado wrote a kids book. Thanks for sharing.
Moe
October 21, 2011My favorite book was (and to some extent still is) Charlie and the chocolate factory. It’s a great story, but also, it has ethical implications. What do we do with what is given to us. Charlie always obeyed and he ended up winning more than a trip to a chocolate factory, He ended up inheriting the actual factory. Hmm, that sounds very familiar. Obedience, faith, inheritance. I just can’t put my finger on it.
Oh, one more thing. I am convinced that every art (music, movie, photography, literature, paintings, etc) have a bit of the Gospel message. The arts are the way for our souls to speak, and we all have eternity deep inside our souls.
Brains!!!
Arny
October 21, 2011“Oh, one more thing. I am convinced that every art (music, movie, photography, literature, paintings, etc) have a bit of the Gospel message. The arts are the way for our souls to speak, and we all have eternity deep inside our souls.”
and our soul seeks these things OUT in the arts…with out even knowing!…just gotta tap in…lol…
it’s what I do! lol..
Moe
October 21, 2011Oh yeah! You get me. You are an artist and you so understand!
Dustin
October 21, 2011Arny the Artist. New stagename. Take it & run with it. You’re welcome.
(btw, http://www.arnytheartist.com is available)
Arny
October 22, 2011Wow….that does have a nice ring to it!
Dustin
October 21, 2011Great comment. Willy Wonka is classic. Actually…. I was thinking of it just this week b/c I’m working on a post about a poem that Mr Wonka references in the movie. :)
Classic > Remake
(every day of the week)
Oh, Brains. LOL!
Moe
October 21, 2011Classics are always better than remakes. Everybody knows that!
Keri
October 21, 2011Sorry boys, that movie totally freaks me out. Me no likey!
Ryan Tate
October 21, 2011So true Moe. Every story is rooted in the greatest Story of all time. That’s why people love movies and stories so much. They are compelling and captivating – just like the gospel.
Ben Reed
October 21, 2011My favorite growing up was “Where the Wild Things Are.” I loved it.
Dustin
October 21, 2011Did you see the movie?
Jason Vana
October 21, 2011I was a huge Hardy Boys fan. In fact, my family still has some of the books at their house. My bro and I would read them (or have them read to us) almost every night.
Dustin
October 21, 2011Love it!
Cindy Holman
October 21, 2011I LOVE “Where the Red Fern Grows” about a boy and his two hunting pups. Great story – very sad at the end though.
Dustin
October 21, 2011I think I shed a few tears when I was younger as I read that book. :)
Ryan Tate
October 21, 2011My favorite children’s book is the Jesus Storybook Bible – I know it’s a technically a bible, but it rocks! It tells the narratives perfectly and weaves the thread of Jesus and his rescue from Adam and Eve, through David and Goliath, all the way to the cross and the re-creation. I think I like it more than my 4 year old.
Moe
October 21, 2011Is this a #jesusjuke? LOL
bill (cycleguy)
October 21, 2011Been a long time since I read any children’s books so I will have to say “any my grandson likes at the moment.” :) Sorry haven’t commented Dustin. Was at theSticks for the week and came back to over 125 posts. Hope you are doing well and feeling refreshed.
Dustin
October 24, 2011Thanks, Bill. Glad you had a good time at the conference!
Keri
October 21, 2011I loooooove good children’s literature. I have never heard of this one. Right now, the boys and I absolutely love anything by Mo Willems. They’re mostly stories about friendship and what it means to be a friend. If you haven’t read these to your girls, I promise you will love them. I find myself pulling Willems off the shelf as often as I can. Our fav: Pigs Make Me Sneeze.
http://www.amazon.com/Pigs-Make-Sneeze-Elephant-Piggie/dp/1423114116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319231866&sr=8-1
I’m certainly guilty of over analyzing, especially with regard to how I live out my faith. If I’m led by the Holy Spirit, I don’t need to worry about how I “do” it, if I’m doing it right, if I say the right things, if I’ve done enough.
Dustin
October 24, 2011Thanks for the suggestion/recommendation! We are always on the lookout for good ones!
Ally Garner
October 21, 2011My Mom still has our copy of The Carrot Seed! I vividly remember reading this book with my Dad when I was little. I’m pretty sure this book is responsible for me believing in Santa until age 11. That and maybe Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing provided a little inspiration as well. And Larry is right – Max Lucado’s You Are Special is a wonderful book. It’s typically my go-to gift for friends that have babies.
Dustin
October 24, 2011LOL… Love it!
ThatGuyKC
October 21, 2011I’m often surprised by the lessons I learn while reading to the kids at night. Might have to add this to our ever-growing library. My son’s bookshelf is literally sagging.
One of my favorite phrases goes something like: “in an economy of words is great wisdom”.
My favorite book to read the kids is “There is a Monster at the End of this Book” because it deals with resisting fear and is just plain fun.
Have a great weekend!
Dustin
October 24, 2011Thanks KC, had a good weekend with the kids. Hope you did also!
chris vonada
October 22, 2011The Carrot Seed is a new one to me, will have to check it out! My grandson is 2 and we read Dr. Suess’ The Foot Book all the time (I’m going to say it’s HIS favorite :) ). We do a really goofy version of this, I should make a video but I’m afraid it’s way too goofy!!
Dustin
October 24, 2011Ha, you should video it and send the link. Now THAT would be funny!
kristinherdy
October 24, 2011I love Little Quack — my girls like to read along and everytime the mama duck says “You can do it, I know you can!” my girls yell it out as an affirmation.
I’m starting to read the classics to them. Little Women, Heidi, etc. but Mia just picked out four kid-level biographies, Anne Frank, Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman and Amelia Earhart and is loving those.
Dustin
October 25, 2011Love the classics!
tom
October 24, 2011Simple truths and faith. Gotta make sure we don’t get to distracted to please the naysayers that we don’t take intentional time to weed and water…great simple wisdom. Thank you!
Dustin
October 25, 2011Simple, indeed! :)
Jon
October 24, 2011Gosh….man it’s been so long, but I used to love the Bernstain Bears, the Hardy Boys, Cam Jansen and her photographic memory.
Dustin
October 25, 2011Thing is… my daughters still like the berenstain bears! :)
seekingpastor
October 24, 2011To Kill a Mockingbird really isn’t a children’s book, but it is my favorite and I first read it when I was in the 7th grade. Amazing story.
Dustin
October 25, 2011One of my favorites!
jenn
October 25, 2011I’m going to have to check out that book. I love kid’s books! My current favorite is Harold and the Purple Crayon. I’m not sure what the moral of that story is, but it’s very cute.
I also found a new one yesterday. It’s Tom the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. It comes with a cd and it’s so cute! It’s about a cat that is walking around singing “I Love My White Shoes” and then steps in a pile of strawberries, but instead of crying starts singing “I love my red shoes”… and the story goes on from there. I really liked it. I’ll bet your girls would too. I’m going to get it for Shiloh.
Dan Black
October 26, 2011I loved the Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham book. Great thoughts and perspective.