
Under the Baobab Tree is about two children hurrying to the neighboring village, wondering who will gather under the “tree of life” today. The reader gets glimpses of African culture as the children imagine various activities that typically go on in the shade of the baobab. When they arrive, a church service meets under the tree.
“Here there are no windows or doors.
No church bells or steeple.
No organ or flowers.
Just a cross and a Bible,
a pastor and songs,
voices and prayers.”

The pictures are beautiful watercolors by E. B. Lewis who illustrated several of Jane Kurtz’s Ethiopia books. The story might be a little confusing to young children because the pictures of the various activities going on under the tree are conjecture and not what is actually happening, but with a little interpretative help from adults, this shouldn’t be a problem. The book would make a wonderful addition to your church library.