Book Draft: The Treehouse That Almost Wasn't
- Boundless Team
- Apr 2
- 6 min read
How can you help your child trust Jesus when their big plans suddenly fall apart? You can guide your child through disappointment by teaching them that while our circumstances change, Jesus’ love and presence remain constant, often turning our "ruined" days into unexpected adventures that reveal His goodness in new ways.
As parents, we’ve all been there. You spend weeks helping your kids plan the "perfect" day, only for a literal or metaphorical thunderstorm to wash it all away. In those moments, it’s easy for a child to feel forgotten or even frustrated with God. That is why we are so excited to share this new book draft with you: The Treehouse That Almost Wasn't.
This story is written for ages 7–9, designed to be read aloud together. It follows Leo and Mia as they navigate the highs of a grand opening and the lows of a rainy afternoon, eventually discovering that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, even in the middle of a puddle. Grab a cozy blanket, maybe a snack (giant sandwich optional!), and enjoy this story with your family.
The Treehouse That Almost Wasn't
Page 1: Spring had finally arrived in Oakberry Lane! The air smelled like wet grass and promise. For Leo and his sister, Mia, it was the biggest day of the year: The Grand Opening of the Lookout Lodge.
Page 2: They had been planning the "Spring Kickoff Picnic" for weeks. The flyer said: "GAMES! SNACKS! TREEHOUSE TOURS! EVERYONE WELCOME!"
Page 3: The Lookout Lodge was the finest treehouse in the neighborhood. It had a bucket pulley, a secret code-word, and enough room for three kids and one very small dog.
Page 4: In the kitchen, things were a bit... messy. "More jam!" Leo shouted. "More sprinkles!" Mia added. They were making the world's largest sandwich. It was going to be legendary.
Page 5: Everything was perfect. The sun was shining. The lemonade was tart. But then, Leo noticed something. A single, grey cloud was peeking over the roof of Mr. Henderson’s garage.
Page 6:PLIP. A cold drop landed right on Leo’s nose. Then another. PLIP-PLOP. The sky wasn't blue anymore. It was the color of a dusty chalkboard.
Page 7: Suddenly, the sky didn't just drip; it dumped! "My sandwich!" Leo wailed. The wind whipped the "Grand Opening" flyer right off the tree.
Page 8: "This is the worst day ever!" Leo huffed. "The picnic is ruined. The treehouse is a giant puddle. Jesus must have forgotten about our big day."
Page 9: Mia felt it too. She had practiced her "Welcome Speech" three times in front of her stuffed bear. Now, the neighborhood was quiet, hidden behind a curtain of rain.
Page 10: Then, Mia remembered what Mrs. Gable said last Sunday: "Plans change, but Jesus doesn't. Sometimes His 'no' or 'wait' is just a different kind of 'yes'."
Page 11: Mia looked at the tulips in the garden. They weren't grumbling. They were stretching their petals wide, drinking in the rain. "The flowers needed this," Mia whispered. "Maybe we do, too?"
Page 12: "Leo!" Mia shouted, startling the dog. "The picnic isn't ruined. It’s just... moving! We don't need a treehouse to have a Grand Opening. We have the garage!"
Page 13: They flew into action. They cleared away the lawnmower and the dusty bikes. They hung strings of old Christmas lights across the ceiling.
Page 14: It wasn't the Lookout Lodge. It was the "Garage Gala." The rain drummed a rhythm on the tin roof, making the garage feel like a secret, cozy fortress.
Page 15: They splashed through the puddles to the neighbors' porches. "The picnic is on!" they yelled. "Follow the smell of jam and sprinkles!"
Page 16: Soon, the garage was full of laughter. Mr. Henderson brought his old accordion. The kids from next door brought a bag of half-melted marshmallows.
Page 17: It was the noisiest, messiest, most wonderful picnic Oakberry Lane had ever seen. "This is way better than the treehouse," Sam (the neighbor) laughed, his face covered in crumbs.
Page 18: Leo looked at Mia. He wasn't grumpy anymore. The rain outside was still pouring, but inside, his heart felt warm. "I guess Jesus didn't forget," Leo admitted.
Page 19: They bowed their heads for a second. "Thanks, Jesus, for the rain and the garage," they whispered. "And for the giant sandwich."
Page 20: As the last marshmallow was eaten, the drumming on the roof stopped. The clouds pulled back like a heavy curtain, and a bright yellow sun peeked through.
Page 21: Outside, a massive rainbow stretched from the treehouse all the way to the school. "Look!" the kids shouted. It was a sign that the storm was over.
Page 22: The Lookout Lodge was still there, wet and sparkling. It would be ready for visitors tomorrow. But today, the garage had been enough.
Page 23: "Plans change," Leo said, looking at the rainbow. "But the fun doesn't have to," Mia finished. They realized that trusting Jesus meant being ready for a different kind of adventure.
Page 24: The Great Rain-Day Rescue was a success. And in the heart of Oakberry Lane, everybody knew that whatever the weather, they were never alone.
Parent Integration & Discussion Guide
Disappointment is a big emotion for a small heart. When things don't go as planned, children often feel like they’ve lost control. This story is designed to help you teach your child that God’s sovereignty isn't a "spoiler" of their fun, but a foundation for a different kind of joy. Use this book to talk about times when your own plans changed and how God provided something unexpected.
Theological Roots: Assemblies of God Truths
We believe in the Sovereignty of God, that He is in control of all things, including the weather and the "interruptions" in our lives. We also emphasize The Presence of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, who gives us peace (the Garage Gala feeling) even when the world outside feels stormy.
Discussion Questions
For Ages 3–6: How did Leo feel when it started to rain? Is it okay to feel sad when things change? Who was with Leo and Mia even when they were inside the garage?
For Ages 7–9: Mia remembered that God’s "no" can be a different kind of "yes." Can you think of a time when something you wanted didn't happen, but something else good happened instead?
For Ages 10–12: Sometimes we think God has "forgotten" us when things go wrong. How does this story show that God is still working even when we can't see the sun? How can we lead others (like the neighbors) to find joy during a "storm"?
A Short Prayer for Families
"Dear Jesus, thank You that You are always with us, even when it rains. Help us to trust You when things change and to look for the 'Garage Gala' in every situation. We love You. Amen."
Hands-On Faith: The Rainy Day Praise Jar
When plans change, it’s helpful to have a physical reminder of God’s goodness. This simple craft helps kids pivot from "grumbling" to "praising."
What you’ll need:
A clean glass or plastic jar
Blue construction paper or ribbon
Markers
Small slips of paper
Spiritual Connection Script: "Just like the flowers in the story needed the rain to grow, sometimes we need the 'rainy days' in our life to help our faith grow. Whenever we feel disappointed, we’re going to write down one thing we are thankful for, a 'drop of praise', and put it in our jar. This reminds us that Jesus is still giving us good things, even when the plans change!"
Scripture Memory Cards
Print these or write them out to keep on your fridge this week!
Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." , Proverbs 3:5 Key Truth: God knows the way, even when I feel lost.
Verse: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts." , Philippians 4:7 Key Truth: Jesus gives me peace inside, no matter what happens outside.
Verse: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" , Isaiah 43:19 Key Truth: God can turn a rainy day into a new adventure.
Verse: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." , 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Key Truth: I can say 'Thank You' even when things are messy.
We would love to see your "Garage Gala" photos or your finished Praise Jars! Join our community online to share your family's stories of how God turned a "no" into a "yes." If you are in the Memphis area, we invite you to join us at First Assembly Memphis for our weekend services where we celebrate the Boundless love of Christ together.
Boundless Online Church An outreach ministry of First Assembly Memphis www.boundlessonlinechurch.org www.famemphis.org
Copyright of FA Memphis. Do not reuse, copy or distribute without FA Memphis written permission.
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