The Animals Speak: A Christmas Eve Legend
A Christmas Eve Legend
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- USD 12.99
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- USD 12.99
Descripción editorial
A fresh retelling of a Christmas legend, told through joyful song by the first witnesses to the baby in the manger: the animals.
Long ago and even today, the story is told of how all the animals in the world, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, speak. With their newfound power of speech, the animals rejoice at the birth of Jesus, born humbly in a manger and surrounded by animals. Singing in treetops, braying in stables, barking in yards--the animals all rejoice and proclaim, "The Child is come."
With rich illustrations and lyrical text, Newbery Honor Award-winner Marion Dane Bauer delights readers of all ages with this fresh telling of a classic Christmas legend.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With spare, lyrical text, Newbery Honoree Bauer draws a thread from the Nativity to the present, embracing the legend that all creatures gain speech at midnight on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. "Long and long the story has been told," begins the soothing refrain, recounting how the shepherds, magi, and animals followed a beckoning star to the Bethlehem stable. Contemporary scenes—such as one backstage at a Christmas pageant featuring children of varying skin tones and abilities—then shift readers to "now and now, the story is told," as species from around the globe "lift their heads/ to the starry sky/ and cry,/ ‘Rejoice!' " Baugus's bold color and luminous digital spreads convey a sense of reverence and joy in this calm picture book, which will most appeal to those familiar with its biblical allusions. Ages 3–8.
