Light-infused paintings illustrate this tale with affection, and their peaceful simplicity provides a needed counterpoint to...
A retelling of the Christmas story that teaches respect for animals.
Offering a new perspective on the legendary stable scene, Nye's tale emphasizes the holiness of the animals that were present at the birth of Jesus. In the old days, the story begins, people used animals instead of machinery, and cared lovingly for beasts because of their importance to humanity. One night, a donkey, a cow, and an ox witness the birth of Jesus in their stable, offering the child their manger and Sabbath hay. During that dreamlike night, they speak of the gifts they will bestow on the baby: milk, protection, and strength to carry the cross. The animals' old shepherd, half-asleep in the stable, marvels at his beasts' speech and wisdom. Over the years, the shepherd becomes the protector of animals, praising their compassionate, gentle natures, and proclaiming their holiness–and condemning those who would abuse them. Shortly before he dies, the shepherd receives a visit from an angel, who emphasizes the importance and values of these animals. They were blessed with particular powers, the angel explains, and humans who mistreat them will not be able to use their strength. Oddly, the angel seems to imply that only those animals present at the Nativity are due such respect.
Light-infused paintings illustrate this tale with affection, and their peaceful simplicity provides a needed counterpoint to the story’s wordiness and abrupt ending. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-913098-85-X
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
It’s hard for most US readers to imagine what it is like to grow up amid ongoing violence, but that is what Liam’s life has been in Belfast. However, this 11-year-old’s family life, school, and dreams will be known to children everywhere. After providing an overview of “the Troubles,” McMahon movingly describes the conditions of Liam’s existence: a Catholic, he has never known a Protestant—“peace walls” separate the Catholic and Protestant sections of Belfast. On his way to school, Liam passes buildings with large messages painted on them: “Brits Out,” or “No Surrender.” Family and school conversations often include passing references to a bomb going off. O’Connor’s full-color photographs show all the aspects of Liam’s life, including his training for a boxing match; the boy loses, but rather than believe that the judges ruled against him because of where he’s from, he quotes a rule he has learned—“We win, or we lose. Then we go on.” This book provides a realistic glimpse of a place where peace has taken a fragile hold, and offers a reminder that the dreams of children can flourish amid misery. (map) (Nonfiction. 7-12)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-68620-2
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this retelling of a medieval French tale, a starving young acrobat, PÇquelÇ, is allowed to join a Franciscan community only if he promises to give up performing. When he breaks his promise, in order to comfort a plague-stricken infant, a sculpted angel comes to life and bears him away. Although the illustrator frames most of his darkly elaborate illustrations within stone archways decorated with floral designs or grotesques, PÇquelÇ often flies beyond the visual borders, flinging out arms and legs in abandon. His joy is contagious; readers moved by the story’s Italian cousin, retold in Tomie dePaola’s Clown of God (1978), will also respond to this more formal, polished rendition. (Picture book/folklore. 7-9)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-399-22918-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
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