This book has a minimal text perfect for sharing with a young child, but the standout features are the wonderful illustrations which I am sure are quite different from other Christmas books you might be sharing this season.
The text has two parts - it reads like a conversation: One starry night a sheep watched over her lamb, a cow watched over her calf, a nanny goat watched over her kid, a pig watched over her piglet, a cat watched over her kitten, a dog watched over her pup, a donkey watched over her foal, a dove watched over her doveling.
"On this starry night Mary and Joseph watched over their newborn babe and the world was filled with love."
On each page there is text in an italics font: I am here always near never far wherever you are caring for you whatever you do day and night my love is bright beloved one God's will be done Amen
This year for my Christmas posts I am focusing on older books (all of which are sure to be out of print sadly). Hopefully one or two might be in your local or school library.
Bookseller blurb: One starry night, a cow watches over her calf, a nanny goat watches over her kid, and a pig watches over her piglet. For this one moment, every family in the animal kingdom is peaceful, just like Mary and Joseph watching over their own newborn nearby. This simple yet profound book perfectly captures the universal nighttime vigil of parents everywhere while gently alluding to the presence of a nurturing creator who watches overall. Lauren Thompson is at her lyrical best, while Jonathan Bean's gorgeous, artisanal illustrations are the perfect match for this beautifully serene story of a truly Peaceable Kingdom.
“This arresting story of the first Christmas has a succinct, powerful, rhyming text and striking illustrations unlike any other version of the Nativity story, with art and words perfectly matched in an artistic tour de force. This unforgettable interpretation stands out as a bright, multifaceted star in the crowded constellation of Christmas Eve stories.” –Kirkus reviews (starred)
“This tender, poetic retelling of the age-old story takes the form of a whispered prayer as it highlights the nurturing given to babies of many species. The art and the words strike just the right tone of reverence and delight. A lovely offering.” —School Library Journal (starred)
"In Thompson’s poetic, reverent text, two voices tell of the night Jesus was born. This peaceful ode to parental love is just right for bedtime reading. Bean’s digitally colored pencil illustrations portray the calm nighttime scenes in black, beige, dark gray-blue, and a sprinkling of white. The gentle words are beautifully matched by the strikingly composed art; both are infused with meaning and are powerful in their simplicity." --The Horn Book
Here is another book by Lauren Thompson with art by Jonathan Bean
I also adored this book by Lauren Thompson:
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