Robin Currie

A small stall promises cuddled warmth, tons of animal fun, and the biggest Christmas surprise of all.

A satisfied cow rests inside her warm barn, while the night grows colder outside. The barn is exactly big enough for one. When a man with a horse knocks at the barn door and hopes the cow will let the new animal squeeze in with her, the cow is much too kind to decline. One after the other, animals come to seek shelter from the cold, and just when they snuggle in for a good night's rest, the show more last guests arrive.

This is such a cute read! Of course, this is about the first Christmas and the stall, and while it does let the most important event come across with Christmas warmth at the end, there's even a fun build-up before. Young readers/listeners will be able to see one familiar animal after the other coming into a small space. There's a wonderful sense of sharing and caring, while eyebrows raise and wonder how small the cow's stall really is and how many more can possibly fit inside. The true meaning of Christmas, at the end, fits right in with this atmosphere to round off a wholesome, enjoyable, and fun read.

The author does a lovely job at drawing readers/listeners in and knows the intended age group well. As the animals come, they are presented with a repetitive phrase, which listeners will quickly learn and be able to say right along with the reader. Then, when the animals have filtered in, there's another level of enjoyment as the animal sounds are worked in to form a smile worthy moment. Even the birth of Christ is brought across just right to make it a read to snuggle up with from beginning to end. show less

Daddy said this book was "twee" and gave it to a charity shop.

Actually Daddy thought it was pretty ghastly. I think we were given it by some pious relative. The illustrations are in the modern equivalent of Mabel Lucy Attwell's cutesie-pie nursery style, all dimples and rosy cheeks; obviously the stories do not include the one about Samuel personally dismembering Agag, king of the Amalekites. Each story has suggested actions (clap your hands, show me a sad face, rub your tummy). I'd stick to show more That's not my Penguin and save the religious indoctrination for later. show less

The archeology juxtaposed with the commentary putting the Biblical texts in their historical context were interesting, although I did find the emphasis to be much more on the post Christian periods than on the more interesting and rich Persian and Babylonian time periods.

The archeology juxtaposed with the commentary putting the Biblical texts in their historical context were interesting, although I did find the emphasis to be much more on the post Christian periods than on the more interesting and rich Persian and Babylonian time periods.