Narrated from the perspective of a mouse, the story of how the popular Christmas carol ""Silent Night"" was written follows the pastor of an Austrian church as he races to create a song for midnight mass, after the organ is damaged by mice.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Narrated by a young mouse named Jeremy, Tompert's engaging story describes the legendary origin of Silent Night, first sung on December 24, 1818, in a church in Austria. Jeremy gives his family credit for the song's creation, since the gnawing of the hungry mice had destroyed the church organ. The mouse's animated account of the incident that finally inspires the local pastor to pen the celebrated carol is a charmer, yet the main attraction here are Kelly's enchanting watercolors, which deftly mingle humorous particulars and period detail. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 5-8. This story, which takes place in Oberndorf, Austria, during the harsh winter of 1818, is based on the most common legend about the origins of "Silent Night" and is narrated by Jeremy, the oldest of 17 mouse children. Determined to find food, Jeremy follows the smell of cheese into the pastor's coat pocket. The pastor, meanwhile, declares he will write new lyrics for the Christmas Eve service if the organist will compose the music. When the parents of a new baby request a blessing, the pastor sets off (with Jeremy still in the pocket), hoping the cold air will inspire him. The grateful parents offer the pastor cheese, some of which he slips into his pocket. As he returns home, the words suddenly flow, and Jeremy at last is able to flee with plenty of cheese. The story's crisp, descriptive details add a sense of holiday magic, and the gentle, expressive watercolors capture the plights of both the mice and the pastor with warmth and humor. A solid addition for Christmas collections. Deborah Abbott
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Cute fairy tale based on fairy tale,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Carol for Christmas (Hardcover)
This is a cute Christmas story for youngsters, however, it would have been better had it been based on fact. The words for Silent Night were written in Mariapfarr, Austria in 1816 and the music added in Arnsdorf, Austria in 1818. The poor mice were not to blame for the malfunction of the organ in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. That was an ongoing problem and easily fixed. The real problem was the flooding of the Salzach River which caused rust and mildew. I like mice stories for children, but if they are connected with something realistic such as Silent Night, the story should be woven around the facts with more care and consideration.
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