“The Olive Tree” (ISBN: 978-1-937786-29-8) by Elsa Martson, illustrated by Claire Ewart on wisdomtalespress.com

“A stone wall divides two houses owned by families with children; a gnarled olive tree grows on Muna’s land, and the olives drop on Sameer’s land. Although Muna’s family, gone ‘during the troubles, because they were different from most of the people in the village,’ has returned home, they maintain a polite distance, disappointing Sameer’s hopes for a friend. The children engage only to disagree over who the olives belong to. After their fight, ‘the olives went on dropping in Sameer’s yard … but nobody ever gathered them.’ Ewart’s (One Cold Night) watercolor illustrations deftly employ color to signal the story’s emotional developments. For example, warm hues of gold and green permeate the opening pages; in a center spread, a billowing blue storm washes over the small green village, with jagged lightning striking and killing the olive tree. In the final pages, a dusky purple backdrop and broken golden boughs convey a somber yet promising mood. Marston (The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader of Algeria) subtly transforms the story’s sadness into hope as the children surprise each other with acts of quiet generosity. Ages 5–up.”
—Publishers Weekly

“The high yield of an olive tree on one side of the fence—but with branches reaching over to the other—precipitates a neighborhood feud about who actually owns the precious fruit. Shades of brown, green, and orange evoke the Lebanese countryside in this story of community efforts and treating others as you would like to be treated—much the same as one child extends an olive branch as a peace offering to another at the conclusion of the finely wrought tale.”
—ForeWord Reviews

“…Marston’s understated text aptly captures the children’s feelings and their uneasy relationship… [It is a] story that shows how perceived prejudice can be just as destructive as actual hatred. (Picture book. 5-8)”
—Kirkus Reviews

“K-Gr 3– This story, set in the contemporary Middle East, is about two neighbors and the ancient olive tree that stands between them… The style of writing is simple, direct, and accessible. Large watercolor paintings vary in viewpoint from one family’s side of the wall to the other.…”
—School Library Journal, from a review by Toby Rajput

“Sometimes a quiet story can achieve feats that rousing tales can’t. The Olive Tree, a simple yet subtle story set in contemporary Lebanon, offers no details or explanation of the 1975 Lebanese Civil War, but invites us to consider the lingering distrust among people and possible paths to reconciliation. . . .

“Ms. Ewart’s atmospheric, two-page spreads of naturalistic watercolor paintings flesh out the poignant story with realistic details. The mothers of both families wear the hijab; a goat, a donkey, and chickens populate the yards; and chairs have seats of woven bulrush. With its understated story of conflict resolution, The Olive Tree offers adults a valuable opportunity to discuss with children the importance of respect for all.”
—New York Journal of Books (online), from a review by Janice Floyd Durante

“Award-winning author and artist team Elsa Marston and Claire Ewart present The Olive Tree, a heart-touching children's picturebook about the value of forgiveness and reconciliation . . . Can two children from different families and backgrounds become friends? . . . The treasure of hope is illuminated in the final pages of this gentle picturebook, highly recommended.”
—Children’s Bookwatch (Midwest Book Review)

“…Claire Ewart provides warm illustrations to accompany this story — recommended for read-aloud or for those with good reading skills — of two very different children affected by social and political division. Amid the specter of disaster comes the promise of new hope and understanding and the settlement of long-held grievances as the olive tree gives up its final opportunity for lasting change. Parents will relish the warm story and involving tale of friendship and healing.”
—Reviewer’s Bookwatch (Midwest Book Review)