The old concept that all the animals were welcomed with kindness into the stable in Bethlehem is the theme of this evocative exploration of the Nativity story. Kind Ox is the original inhabitant of the stable, and one by one, he invites Old Dog, Stray Cat, and Small Mouse inside with the reassuring refrain, “There’s always room for a little one here.” Tired Donkey, Mary, and Joseph are also welcomed into the warmth of the stable, and all the animals watch as a new little one is born into their midst. Softly luminous illustrations suggest a foggy Christmas Eve and a quiet atmosphere of anticipation. Widely varying perspectives add to the dramatic tension, as each spread is different in perspective: the dog is silhouetted in the stable door; the cat is seen from the mouse’s view; all the animals around the manger are seen from above. The poetic patterned text with just a few, well-chosen lines is quietly powerful and will be accessible to little ones just learning about the Christmas story. (Picture book. 2-7)
