Fruit Scoop

In Fruit Scoop, author Shirley Francis-Salley illustrates the idea of Fruits of the Spirit by using a bunch of regular fruits. Her characters include Prudence Peach, Percy Pineapple, Susie Strawberry, among others.

After the service, the fruits gather together near the church. Some human had taken Prudence Peach to church and kept her in their pocket. She heard the pastor talk about a different kind of fruit. She thinks that her friends are going to be replaced by other fruits, spiritual fruits, called the Fruits of the Spirit. She says the Fruits of the Spirit come from another world. “It’s a spirit world, called the Kingdom of God,” she says.

Of course, her friends don’t really believe her until the Grape family comes along. Some human had taken them to church, too, and they heard the same thing Prudence did. Greta Grape confirms that the sermon was about these special fruits, but she laid everyone’s fears to rest when she assured them that the Fruits of the Spirit were very different from edible fruits, like themselves. But, they were something everyone needed.

The illustrations by Rosemarie Gillen are colorful and cartoon-like, which works well with the text. The author uses Galatians 5:22-23 as a reference for the story.

What I Like: I like the message for the story, with Biblical truths told in a manner that children can understand.

What I Dislike: Nothing.       

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 6-12.

Publisher Info: Clay Jars Publishing, 2014; ISBN: 9780984336913; paperback, $12.95.

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Special Info: Visit the author’s website, Visit the illustrator’s website. Read our reviews of other books by Shirley Francis-Salley.