Additional information
by Jeff Tally (Author), Julie Swingley (Illustrator)
Duncan and the Amazing Apple Tree is a heartwarming story about gratitude, generosity, and the kind of transformation that begins deep within a child's heart.
Duncan loves apples more than anything. When he was just three years old, he and his grandpa planted a small apple tree in the front yard. Over the years, Duncan faithfully cares for it-watering, fertilizing, making sure it gets enough sunshine, even singing to it, reading to it, and hugging it before school. Because of his loving attention, the tree grows strong and produces the most amazingly delicious apples anyone has ever tasted. Duncan treasures them and, except for the occasional apple shared with Grandpa, keeps most of them for himself.
One morning on the way to school, Duncan overhears that his friend Amy's little sister is crying because there is no food in the house. For the first time, Duncan feels the weight of someone else's need. He is torn. The apples are his favorite thing, and they only grow for a short season each year. Sharing would mean giving up something precious.
Seeking wisdom, Duncan talks with his grandpa, who encourages him to pray and ask God what to do. That night, kneeling beside his apple tree, Duncan learns an important lesson about prayer-not just speaking to God, but listening. In the quiet, he remembers the story of Zacchaeus, whose heart was changed when he chose Jesus over the things he loved most.
Inspired, Duncan makes a courageous decision. He and his parents secretly deliver bags of apples to Amy's home with a note that says, "Jesus loves you and so do we." As Duncan continues to share throughout the season, he discovers something surprising: the apples he keeps taste even sweeter. The following year, his tree grows larger than ever before, producing more fruit-and even new saplings-symbolizing how generosity multiplies blessings.
Through Duncan's journey, readers are gently reminded that every blessing is a gift meant to be shared, and that when we choose love over selfishness, our hearts grow in ways we never imagined.
