From the Garden of Eden to Golgotha: the myth retold for young audiences...
You and your child will be transported as you follow the tree's wondrous and mythical journey in this beautifully crafted tale - from its origin as three seeds brought from Paradise and buried in Adam's grave, the tree grows tall and survives the Great Flood; gives shade to King David; is cut down by King Solomon; is forgotten and left at the bottom of a deep pit that miraculously becomes the Pool of Bethesda; floats to the surface many years later and is taken to its final holy destination on the hill of Golgotha, where the "Hope of the world" hangs upon it - the tree mystically participates in bringing man back to a New Paradise.
I think this mesmerizing book will bless all who read it for generations to come, and I hope you will add it to your child's Lenten bookshelf (or to his or her Easter basket!) Just like the tree, we are on a journey to Golgotha during Lent. And The Legend of the Cross points us toward our destination - the hope of the Resurrection!
So
let us rediscover Lent. A journey, a pilgrimage! Yet, as we begin it,
as we make the first step into the “bright sadness” of Lent, we see—far,
far away—the destination. It is the joy of Easter, it is the entrance
into the glory of the Kingdom. And it is this vision, the foretaste of
Easter, that makes Lent’s sadness bright and our Lenten effort a
“spiritual spring.” The night may be dark and long, but all along the
way a mysterious and radiant dawn seems to shine on the horizon.
–Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Dr. Chrissi Hart is a Child Psychologist, author, and podcaster. Born in Cyprus, Dr. Hart grew up in England from age three and writes stories for children from her cultural heritage that are inspiring and spiritually satisfying.
Niko Chocheli, a native of the Republic of Georgia, is so highly regarded as an artist that, in 1997, he was granted permanent resident status by the U.S. government because of his "extraordinary ability in the arts." It's a recognition shared by the likes of cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
by Nola Buck, illustrated by Felicia Bond. Sweet and gentle telling of the Nativity story for the very youngest, a "pat and peek" book with a rhyming text from the point of view of the animals, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. The last line is so sweet,
, by Niko Chocheli. Luminously illustrated verses from Orthodox hymns of the prefeast and feast of the Nativity. 
by Sister Elayne (now Mother Melania), illustrations by Bonnie Gillis. Beautifully rendered watercolors accompany the poetic telling of the birth of Christ. To read more about Mother Melania and her books, 
