In this charming barnyard tale, Ernest, a tiny, loveable donkey, and his farmyard friends demonstrate the power of love and selflessness—the true gifts of the holiday season. When Ernest discovers his friend Chester is missing on Christmas Eve, he must enlist his friends, large and small, to work together in order to rescue their friend. Through love and determination, Ernest and his friends discover that being together with loved ones is the most special Christmas gift of all. Beautiful watercolor illustrations of the animals at Barnesyard farm are sure to enthrall young readers and parents alike, and hiding in each picture is an adorable little mouse for kids to discover. Parents and teachers can use this tale as a way to discuss the true meaning of the holiday season.
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From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-This fourth title in the series finds the miniature donkey and his friend, Chester, a huge, retired draft horse, excited about Christmas. When it begins to snow, Ernest returns to the barn, only to realize that Chester is missing. Despite heavy snowfall, he searches for his friend, who has fallen in the snow and cannot rise. He summons many animals, large and small, all of whom work together to help get Chester on his feet. Naturalistic but slightly sentimental watercolor illustrations reinforce the text. The message-that Christmas is a time of giving, and that love and determination bring results-is pounded home abruptly, and readers may wonder if the ailing Chester will really make it back to the barn.-S. P.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Excellent...blend [of] enlightenment and entertainment." —The Star Ledger
"Barnes brings back her beloved Ernest in this Christmas story about the power of love and the importance of togetherness." —The Times, New Jersey
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More About the Author
Laura T. Barnes and her husband live in a converted barn on their farm, Barnesyard, in Hunterdon County, NJ. Barnesyard is also home to an assortment of adopted animals, including homeless horses and miniature donkeys who enjoy quiet retirement pastures. Life on the farm is the inspiration for her award winning stories.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Adventure in an Award-Winning Series,
This review is from: Ernest's Special Christmas (Ernest series) (Hardcover)
Slowly the skies began to turn gray and it started to snow. The animals looked up as small snowflakes fell from the sky. It looked magical. "It's going to be a beautiful, white Christmas," thought Ernest. ~Ernest's Special Christmas
Ernest is a lovable miniature donkey who has appeared in three previous stories. He is friends with a kind, white draft horse named Chester. They know Christmas is near when they see the red bows on the wreaths decorating the pasture gates. It is almost time to celebrate Christmas, but the barn seems rather lonely. Ernest realizes that Chester is not in the stall. "I better go find him. After all it's Christmas Eve. We should all be together." As snow blankets the farm, Ernest braves the snow to look for Chester. Since Chester is white and the snow is getting deeper, Ernest almost trips over Chester. Ernest is a thoughtful little donkey and he knows he has to get Chester back to the barn. So, he quickly rounds up all the other animals and even the birds and mice join in to help. Ernest shows love and determination and helps his friend so they can celebrate Christmas together. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and Carol A. Camburn has created the cutest miniature donkey who looks like a huggable cuddly stuffed toy. Chester and Ernest are real friends and you can see their "real" picture on the inside of the cover. Carol has a horse named Billy and also loves cats. Laura and her husband live on a farm in New Jersey. They have made a home for homeless horses and miniature donkeys who enjoy a quiet retirement. Her life on the farm is her inspiration for "The Ernest Series." Ernest holiday greeting cards are also available in packs of 18 cards. The inside message reads: "True Friends are the best gift of all. Merry Christmas." The book cover is darker than shown here at Amazon. There is a powdery blue background with snowflakes that is quite pretty. I even found the tiny mouse on the cover. Children and "adults like me" will have fun finding the tiny mouse hidden on every page. "Ernest's Special Christmas" is a charming Christmas Eve adventure that shows children how love, thoughtfulness, and kindness can make the holiday season a more heartwarming time of year. Additional books in this series (age 4-8): Ernest and the BIG Itch - A story about problem solving and you can search for the ladybug hidden in each illustration. Twist and Ernest - Lessons about not judging others based on appearances and prejudice Teeny Tiny Ernest - Ernest realizes that who you are really comes from the inside and then he is not so sad about being such a small donkey. ~The Rebecca Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous New Holiday Children's Book,
By
This review is from: Ernest's Special Christmas (Ernest series) (Hardcover)
Ernest, the miniature donkey, and his friend Chester, a retired draft horse, couldn't be more excited about Christmas. The sky is changing colors, there are wreaths hung around the barn. But when it starts snowing, Ernest and the other barnyard animals head inside, where they will be safe from the cold. However, once inside the barn, Ernest realizes that Chester is nowhere to be seen, and sets out looking for him. He soon finds him lying in the snow, unable to get up. It is now up to Ernest to get the other barnyard animals to help Chester up, so he can find shelter away from the cold. After all, the true meaning of Christmas is giving and helping others.
I have been a donkey and horse lover ever since a VERY young age, so I was ecstatic to find ERNEST'S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS, as it combined two of my favorite animals together with my absolute favorite holiday, and created a lovely new children's book that will warm everyone's heart around the holiday. Filled with an adorable adventure story, as well as magnificent illustrations depicting various barnyard animals in their everyday routines, ERNEST'S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS is sure to be a hit. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging tale of spirit and compassion,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ernest's Special Christmas (Ernest series) (Hardcover)
Ernest's Special Christmas by Laura T. Barnes is a heartwarming story of friendship between a little donkey and a hardworking draft horse. When snow falls thickly, the old horse finds himself unable to move, the little donkey must get help from his animal friends to ensure that everyone comes safely home. Enhanced with illustrations by Carol A. Camburn, Ernest's Special Christmas is an engaging tale of spirit and compassion, based on real-life events and animals at Barnesyard farm.
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