Book Lovers' Advent Calendar: Day Nine

 

This book is a lushly illustrated poem version of a very old Christmas carol.  The Animals' Christmas Carol is based on the medieval song, "The Friendly Beasts" --

Jesus, our brother, kind and good,

Was humbly born in a stable rude --

And the friendly beasts around him stood, 

Jesus, our brother, kind and good.

Each of the stable animals reports a gift presented to the beloved Christ Child.  In her poem based on the carol, the author expands the traditional list of animals to include a lion and a peacock, among others:

"I," said the dog, all black and white,
"I brought the sheep down from the hill tonight,
So the shepherds might follow your shining light,
I," said the dog, all black and white.

 And the illustrations!  Heart-wrenchingly beautiful!