Mary's Treasure Box

by C.E. Walz, Bruno Merz (Illustrator)

Every mother has special memories, but Mary’s memories are like no other.  
Doesn’t every mother have a box filled with treasured mementos and trinkets? If sweet memories aren't hidden in a closet or an attic, perhaps they are tucked away in a corner of her heart.  But Mary’s treasure box is unlike any other. She has filled it with bits of straw from a manger, a little gold from the Magi, and other dear reminders of one silent night in a Bethlehem stable. Now, decades later, Mary opens her treasure box once again and shares her most cherished memories with her granddaughter, Hannah. Join them as they revisit the simple splendor of the Nativity story.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2014

About the author

C.E. Walz is a children's book author as well as an educator. She has been teaching writing for over twenty-five years. Walz currently teaches English and chairs the middle school English department at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia. In her spare time she likes to bird-watch, hike, play the saxophone, and write--but not all at the same time!"

Reviews

[Elizabeth Towns · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I share books with my child, and with my nieces and nephews, I am always looking for teachable moments. I want us to enjoy the books, of course, but I also want us, and especially them, to take something away that makes that book special and which changes them, forever if possible. Mary's Treasure Box is written in such a magnificent way that there those kind of gems are strewn throughout the story and then an opportunity to capture even more is provided at the very end with a questions and notes section.

Mary's granddaughter, Hannah, has come to visit and Mary wants to share with her the story of Jesus; only she determines to do it by sharing what is in her treasure box from Jesus birth and life, even his death. Mary shares with Hannah straw from the night Jesus was born, and a bit of gold from the gifts of the Magi who came upon hearing of his birth, and even more mementos of the short life of Jesus while he lived. She shares so much with Hannah, including that Jesus the carpenter built the treasure box, and the truth in his death and why he lived.

This unique telling of Jesus life, as it would be from a grandmother to a granddaughter, adds an emotional element that translates the sacrifice not only of Jesus, but of those who love him in real time, to understand the reality of exactly what his purpose on earth was, and why it means so much.

In case there is any question after reading this wonderfully illustrated book and sharing the treasure box jewels, the question and note section at the end opens up a great way to dialog with children 4-8 (and really with anyone) about the truth revealed to us all.

I often give away books after I have reviewed them, to enrich the lives of another person; this one I keep - because my nieces and nephews and even my 11-year-old - they all like and have requested to read it more than once!

**I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ce Walz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and simple illustrations depict a new take on the Christmas story from Mary's point of view years later. Bruno Merz's illustrations are charming.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written children's book, that is a great family keep sake for generations to come.