Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus: Up in the Tree

Join Christopher and Christina on another exciting journey in their magical time machine as they travel to ancient Jericho and meet Zacchaeus—the small tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree just to see Jesus.

When Jesus stops, looks up, and calls Zacchaeus by name, everything changes. Through this heartwarming Bible story, children discover a powerful truth: Jesus sees us, knows our name, and loves us—even when others overlook us.

Based on Luke 19:1–10, Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus: Up in the Tree brings Scripture to life through an engaging time-travel adventure designed to help young readers connect with the Bible in a memorable and meaningful way.

Children will discover lessons about:

• Being seen and loved by Jesus
• Feeling overlooked or left out
• Forgiveness and changing our hearts
• Making things right when we have done wrong
• Caring for others and sharing what we have
• Knowing that Jesus comes looking for everyone

The book also includes a simple prayer, a “Meet the Real Zacchaeus” section that connects the story to Scripture, thoughtful discussion questions, a memory lesson, and a drawing activity for children to engage with the story.

A wonderful choice for Christian families, Sunday school classes, children’s ministry, homeschool Bible lessons, and young readers who love Bible stories and adventures.

Jesus knows your name—and He came looking for you.

What is Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus about?

Christopher and Christina travel to ancient Jericho, where they meet Zacchaeus, a small tax collector who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus. When Jesus stops, looks up, and calls him by name, Zacchaeus’s life changes. Based on Luke 19:1 to 10, the book’s core message is that Jesus sees, knows, and loves each child, even when others overlook them. It touches on feeling left out, forgiveness and a changed heart, making things right after doing wrong, and caring for and sharing with others, and it closes with the reminder that Jesus knows your name and came looking for you. The book also includes a simple prayer, a Meet the Real Zacchaeus section, discussion questions, a memory lesson, and a drawing activity.

Who wrote Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus?

It was written by Alfred Basta, a professor, author, and musician, with co-author Nadine Basta.

What genre is Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus?

It is a Christian children’s picture book, which means a short illustrated Bible story told through a time-travel adventure, with a prayer, discussion questions, and a drawing activity at the end.

Who is Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus for?

It is written for young readers who enjoy Bible stories and adventures, and for Christian families, Sunday school classes, children’s ministries, and homeschool Bible lessons.

Is Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus part of a series?

Yes. It is Book 25 of Christopher & Christina’s Time Machine, a picture book series in which two children travel back in time to meet people from the Bible, with each book visiting a different Bible character. You can find the series on Amazon.

Where can I buy Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus?

Christopher & Christina Meet Zacchaeus is available in paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback ISBN-13 is 979-8172596612 (37 pages, published September 7, 2026).

Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Indigo (author page)

About the author: Alfred Basta is a professor, author of Ward No. 8 and The Malgrave Letters, and musician as The Bastas Project.

Last updated: October 12, 2026