When Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals, encounters a donkey who is unhappy with his lot in life, Francis tells him a story that heals. True, long ago God punished the mischievous animal by giving him long ears, a loud bray, and heavy burdens to bear. Yet God gave the donkey something wonderful, too. For who was it that carried Mary to Bethlehem across rugged mountains and burning desert sand? And in the stable, who warmed the Baby Jesus with his breath? Whose love and devotion on the trip from Nazareth outshone even the gifts of the wise men? A story that addresses the inherent good in all of us, each spread of this tour de force is a feast for the eye and for the soul.
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Ages 5-9. When Saint Francis, known for his love and respect for animals, meets a donkey in the forest, the donkey rails against the unfair lot of his kind, who are forced to carry heavy burdens and laughed at for the strange sound they make. Francis first tells the animal the lively, funny story of how the donkey came by its bray, and then tells a more consoling tale about the donkey that carried Mary into Bethlehem. Although of little use to children, a two-page opening note provides excellent background on Francis. Byrd's evocative language, however, will attract readers and listeners of many ages. The pace of his story is measured and calm, and the paintings are large and spacious, some glittering with details, others open and peaceful. The beautiful closing double-page spread shows Francis and the donkey standing in the snow and gazing at one particularly bright star in the sky. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Touching Christmas Story,
By Susan Regan (Va Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey (Hardcover)
I was immediately drawn to this book since my sister gave me my middle name after her favorite saint, Saint Francis. The illustrations are beautiful, an important factor for those of us with young children since they will be more apt to enjoy a book with detailed pictures. The story is told by Saint Francis to the donkey to help him understand his place in the world. It provides parents a perfect opportunity to discuss how harmful pride can be and how God has given each of us a reason for living. The tale includes an explanation of the creation of the animals and why the donkey was chosen to carry Mary to Bethlehem. In the afterword, the author has also included a mini-biography of St. Francis and an annotated bibliography. A selection you must have to add to your Christmas reading traditions.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deserves an award,
By Sara G. Riley (Williamsburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey (Hardcover)
I bought this last year for my grandson. He loved it. He turned it over and looked for a gold sticker. He thought surely it had won an award. It has beautiful pictures of Assisi, and combines the story of creation with the Christmas story. I am now buying a copy for our church.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Ye shall wait for me here upon the way and I will go to preach unto my little sisters, the birds. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Ye shall wait for me here upon the way and I will go to preach unto my little sisters, the birds. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 9
books:
See all 9 books this book cites
- The Little Flowers of St. Francis by Raphael Brown on page 1
- Saint Francis: Nature Mystic; The Derivation and Significance of the Nature Stories in the Franciscan Legend (Hermeneutics, Studies in the History of Religions, V. 2) by Edward Allworthy Armstrong on page 0
- Picturesque Ideas on the Flight into Egypt by Colta Feller Ives on page 1
- History of Italian Renaissance Art by Frederick Hartt on page 1
- The Donkey of God by Estate of Louis Untermeyer on page 1
See all 9 books this book cites
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