Little Shepherd [Large Print] [Paperback]

Cheryl C. Malandrinos (Author), Eugene Ruble (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2010

In the hills outside Bethlehem, Obed guards his first flock of sheep. When the angels appear to tell of the Savior's birth, he is hesitant to follow the others to see the new King. When Obed returns to his sheep, he realizes it is a night of miracles. Suggested age for readers: 4 - 8

Product Details

• Paperback: 16 pages
• Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc (August 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616330856
• ISBN-13: 978-1616330859
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,305,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children's author and editor. Her first children's book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing. Her next book is due out in the fall of 2012. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer and blogger. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Version Of the greatest story ever told! October 4, 2010

By K.M. Daughters

Format:Paperback

The Christmas liturgy, presented from a child's point of view - simple, innocent, open to wondrous occurrences - both highlights the majesty and wonder of Christ's birth and makes the liturgy accessible to God's beloved little ones. I bought four copies already for the children in my family and I can't wait to present them. I'm sure this book will be treasured and read over and over again. This is a beautiful version of the greatest story ever told and I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awe Inspiring Rendition October 2, 2010

By Donna M. McDine

Format:Paperback

Wise beyond his years, young Obed has become a seasoned shepherd boy. Acutely aware of the hillside surroundings while tending his flock Obed stares at the sky in wonderment. A single bright light fills the sky. At first afraid, Obed felt a calmness wash over him as the beautiful angels descend, proclaiming "A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Unsure what their message means, Obed looks to his father for guidance. With reassurances from his father, Obed and the older shepherds journey to Bethlehem to meet the newborn King. Their journey and meeting Christ the Lord is nothing less than miraculous.

Your fist reaction may be, oh goodness another story on the birth of Christ. Toss those thoughts away and immerse yourself and your children into the magical arrival of Christ the Lord. Children's author, Cheryl C. Malandrinos has re-explored and created a beautiful re-enactment of Christ the Lord's birth in a unique and awe inspiring rendition which surely will become classical reading in Christian religious school studies and home libraries.

The old time illustrations expertly created by illustrator, Eugene Ruble will leave you feeling that you journeyed through the countryside with Obed and his fellow shepherds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Night of Miracles September 17, 2010

By Beth B. Reinke

Format:Paperback

While helping his father guard their sheep by night, five-year-old Obed is among the first to hear of the Savior's birth. Angels send the shepherds to see the newborn baby, but Obed doesn't want to go. Who will guard his sheep from wolves?

Little Shepherd is a delightful retelling of Luke 2:8-16 through the eyes of a young boy who is learning about responsibility and obedience. Through his father's example and a night of miracles, Obed experiences the peace that comes from trusting God.

I especially loved how the author showed Obed's sense of wonder and his growing faith toward the end of the story. I recommend this book for anyone four years old and up. It would make a perfect reading for children's church during Advent or at home for the whole family on Christmas Eve.

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Story written just for a child! Awesome! November 2, 2011

By ibjoy1953

Format:Paperback

Little Shepherd By Cheryl G. Malandrinos
Illustrated by Eugene E. Ruble

Just turning five years old, Obed's father had entrusted him with a flock of his own sheep to tend to. One this one particular night while he and his father watched the sheep, a bright star lightened up the sky. Not knowing what was going on, Obed was a little afraid, until a host of angels appeared praising God telling them that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. Immediately Obed's father wanted to go see this special child. Being so faithful to his flock of sheep, Obed didn't understand why his father would want to leave them alone to go see this child. And what surprises they had coming to them throughout the rest of this book, because this is the wonderful Christmas story, the story of our Savior's birth.

Little Shepherd is an adorable version of the Christmas story written just for children. I love that Cheryl told the story through a small shepherd boy, so even a child can understand what it must have been like on that wonderful special night that Jesus was born. And having the child go with his dad to see the baby Jesus makes this book so very special. And it is simple enough that even my 2 ˝ year old niece can understand it.
And I have always been fascinated with illustrations in children's books, especially since I am not artistic at all! And the illustrations here by Eugene Ruble are awesome! I sat for a while looking at the pictures, wondering why he used the reds and pinks as highlight colors, and checking out the details, and each page is just fantastic! The colors are beautiful and I love the choice in creating the characters. They will sure capture the young reader's interest. And well it captured mine too!

Overall, this book is just wonderfully awesome!... It will be a great addition to your child's library. Even if you have a lot of other books about the birth of Jesus, you need this one too because it is so different. It is another way to help children understand what happened on that night of miracles!

This book was provided by the author through PUYB blog tours. I was not expected to give a positive review, only an honest one. The opinions in this review are mine only. Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars Little Shepherd learns to Trust October 25, 2011

By M. Schemanski

Format:Paperback

Dedicated to his flock, shepherd boy Obed is frightened when a bright light fills the sky and an angel appears. The Angel brings good news of the Christ child being born.

The Angels urge the shepherd to go and find the Christ child. Obed is hesitant to leave his sheep without a caretaker. His Father ensures him that they will be fine. Thoughts of his flock wrestle with Obed as they journey to the new child. Father seems exuberant in his happiness to see the young one, as Obed struggles with hearing wolves in the distance and not being near his flock. Why isn't Father worried about the sheep?

Not a sheep is missing upon Obeds return and Obed begins to understand the significance of the Christ child.

The storyline is a lesson in trust and knowing our heavenly Father will take care of us. A Christmas story told from the perspective of a young shepherd boy.

The illustrations though interesting in a caricature, cartoon style, were inconsistent in knowing how old Obed was. Cheryl writes that he is 5 years old and a couple of the pics show a younger Obed, though still older than 5. Later in the story Obed appears to be a teenager, nearly as tall as his father. The inconsistencies threw me off in reading the book as I wasn't sure how to picture Obed. The storyline worked fine, but the illustrations need fine tuned.