Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

by Martin Waddell, Jason Cockcroft (Illustrator)

Overview

As Kind Ox settles in for the night in a stable next to an inn, Old Dog comes in looking for a warm place to sleep. Kind Ox welcomes Old Dog, who in turn makes room for Stray Cat, then Small Mouse--then Tired Donkey, led by Joseph and carrying Mary. Full color.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689868412
Publisher:	Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date:	10/01/2004
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.75(w) x 10.75(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Martin Waddell is the award-winning author of many books for children, including Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? and the other Little Bear books, illustrated by Barbara Firth, Farmer Duck, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and Owl Babies, illustrated by Patrick Benson. He lives in Northern Ireland.

Jason Cockcroft won the first ever Blue Peter Award in England for his illustrations in John Bunyan's A Pilgrim's Progress, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean. He illustrated Daddy's Lullaby by Tony Bradman, which was selected as one of the Best Books for Babies by the Beginning with Books® Center for Early Literacy. He lives in North Yorkshire, England.

Editorial Reviews

The old concept that all the animals were welcomed with kindness into the stable in Bethlehem is the theme of this evocative exploration of the Nativity story. Kind Ox is the original inhabitant of the stable, and one by one, he invites Old Dog, Stray Cat, and Small Mouse inside with the reassuring refrain, "There's always room for a little one here." Tired Donkey, Mary, and Joseph are also welcomed into the warmth of the stable, and all the animals watch as a new little one is born into their midst. Softly luminous illustrations suggest a foggy Christmas Eve and a quiet atmosphere of anticipation. Widely varying perspectives add to the dramatic tension, as each spread is different in perspective: the dog is silhouetted in the stable door; the cat is seen from the mouse's view; all the animals around the manger are seen from above. The poetic patterned text with just a few, well-chosen lines is quietly powerful and will be accessible to little ones just learning about the Christmas story. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews