Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

The Oak of Wisdom by Elizabeth Gautier is a charming short story, which introduces readers to the concepts of faith and religion. This book also helps in developing listening and interpersonal skills in young children. Children, like some adults, often feel left out, misguided, unloved, or confused when it comes to the concepts of having faith and religion. Children may often feel as if they have no one to lean on or talk to in the world. The author helps readers comprehend the concepts of having faith and religion, and believing in and listening to God, by skillfully introducing characters of nature. For example, the author reveals a young boy who has strong emotions of being unloved and lost in life. When the boy finds a secret place in nature where the trees and animals communicate with him, he then begins to understand himself, life, and God a little better. By having the boy converse with the elements of nature, the author allows readers to comprehend the bond between nature, God, and humans.

Elizabeth Gautier artfully explains the often overlooked or unseen challenges some children of our world face concerning self-discovery, faith, and God. She also portrays the unseen characteristic of pure innocence a child can hold. For example, within the story a character explained that the child will one day not talk to his nature friends anymore, due to other life events. This touches on how much belief and confidence a child can have in God, nature, and humans compared to an adult. It also stresses the importance of finding your true self, beliefs, and faith when young.