The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog

This short story has everything a good Christmas story should – nostalgia, childhood, mischief, drama, Nativity play, pathos, romance, and humor. Best of all, there are dogs! Author Dave Barry proved to be a capable narrator. It’s perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.

A very short little book featuring church Christmas pageants in the 1960s, narrated by a kid who's playing a shepherd this year. It's a bit rambly and there's maybe not a whole lot of point to it, but it's amusing and very charming, and the vintage photograph illustrations are fun, too. I don't know if it's quite gotten me into the holiday spirit yet, but it's definitely warmed me up on the subject a little.

I will point out by way of warning that it does feature the death of a dog (from old age). It felt much more sweet than sad to me, but I can imagine that's not a subject matter that everyone is going to want to deal with at Christmas.

A Christmas tale from the early 1960's, which makes the narrator, Doug Barnes, about the same age kid that the author, Dave Barry, would have been. Not that this is remotely autobiographical, as the author protests...too much.

Anyway, the gist of the story centers around the Christmas pageant at St. John's Episcopalian Church, a crush on the girl playing Mary (even though Doug is only a lowly shepherd), a beloved family dog who is probably approaching his last Christmas, and the various comedy stylings that permeate anything Dave Barry puts to paper. Dave Barry delivers on all counts here, telling a wackily engaging story that finishes in a surprisingly touching way that left me teary-eyed.

There is a lot going on in this little novel, but then it’s Christmas – a busy time even in the 60’s. The church Christmas pageant is a big deal, boys had crushes on girls but couldn’t show it, mom was busy getting everything perfect for Christmas, and though it’s never a good time for the family dog to be old and sick, but it’s even worse when that happens on Christmas Eve. Dave Barry does a good job of inserting humor in sad situations, making everything seem all right. And maybe dogs DO go to heaven, at least one special dog was with Jesus. Not your typical “feel-good” Christmas story, but nevertheless, it is a great Christmas story.

Any Dave Barry fans? If you are, you'll enjoy this one. It's not one of his normal humor books. It is a sweet story that will make you laugh and maybe cry just a little. This little book, coming in at just over one hundred pages, is filled with pictures of Christmases past and old memories. It takes place in the 60's in a small town where things seem idyllic to most of us.

Doug is the narrator and I'm guessing he's around thirteen or fourteen. He's got the role of Shepherd in the church Christmas pageant. The story revolves around his family and one Christmas that stood out among others. It's such a short book that if I tell you anything much I'll be giving it away. Just take my advice, put it on your "to be read" list and look for it. show more It would be cute to read to your kids too - just leave out the part about the bras! show less

It's quiet impressive. I only listened to the audiobook, and I recommend the audiobook instead of normal book. It hits almost all notes of a feel good story. It is small yet big on emotion, funny and witty without being juvenile. A high school boy, his family which includes father-mother- younger brother sister-a dog, his crush, his funny friends and Christmas backdrop. Doesn't becomes preachy. Best thing about this book is the simplicity. Give it a try.

Life happens, even when Christmas approaches. And things can get complicated.

This is a very short book, but lots of fun. I did laugh out loud, and it also made me sniffle- which means it's an excellent holiday read by my lights.

More a slice of life than a plot per se. Great characterization, including the dogs. The narrator is a middle-school boy, with his sensibilities.

I enjoyed it.