Book Review of The Christmas Miracle as Told by the Animals in the Manger
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The Children’s Book Review
The Christmas Miracle as Told by the Animals in the Manger
Written by Mark Hughes
Illustrated by Getty Images
Ages: 4-6 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Author House (2024) | ISBN: 979-8-8230-1731-2
What to Expect: Christmas, animals, caring for others, community.
In this quirky retelling of the classic Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, the animals in the manger take center stage.
The Browns are a family of mice, living in what seems to them to be a perfectly ordinary manger, alongside the manger’s other animal inhabitants—a lamb, a donkey, and a pigeon. Then, one day, something remarkable happens. A couple comes to share their manger for the night, and they give birth to a baby—and not just any baby, but the King of the Jews! The Browns and their companions do everything they can to welcome and protect the new family, even though it means putting up with a string of inconvenient visitors. But not everyone is so welcoming, because King Herod is determined to get rid of this young rival to his throne. Before long, the Browns must say goodbye to their precious new friends—will they ever find peace again?
They are far from perfect—Mr. Brown can be selfish, Pedro has trouble sticking to the point, and some of the other animals are at times unwilling to share their space. Nevertheless, they all find space in their hearts, homes, and lives for Jesus and his family, and caring for one another is a central theme that runs through this retelling. The humorous, modern-sounding dialogue pairs with digital artwork of the mice dressed in human clothes, from a sharp business suit and beautifully trimmed hat to a button-down shirt and patched jacket, helping these tiny characters feel important and involved in this monumental moment in history. With its cliffhanger ending and multiple storylines, there is plenty to wait for in a follow-up story.
Ideal for families wanting a slightly different take on the story of Jesus’ birth, The Christmas Miracle as Told by the Animals in the Manger comes just in time for the holiday period.
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