Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

by Martin Waddell, Jason Cockcroft (Illustrator)

Overview

That cold winter's night,
beneath the star's light...
...a Little One came for the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416925187
Publisher:	Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date:	10/03/2006
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	60,176
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Martin Waddell is the award-winning author of many books for children, including Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? and the other Little Bear books, illustrated by Barbara Firth, Farmer Duck, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and Owl Babies, illustrated by Patrick Benson. He lives in Northern Ireland.

Jason Cockcroft won the first ever Blue Peter Award in England for his illustrations in John Bunyan's A Pilgrim's Progress, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean. He illustrated Daddy's Lullaby by Tony Bradman, which was selected as one of the Best Books for Babies by the Beginning with Books® Center for Early Literacy. He lives in North Yorkshire, England.

Editorial Reviews

Room for a Little One, by Martin Waddell, illus. by Jason Cockcroft, now appears in a paper-over-board volume. In a starred review of the original 2004 version, PW wrote, "Luminous, realistic paintings light the way through this hushed and graceful Nativity story." Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 1-On a cold winter night, Kind Ox invites one visitor after another into the shelter of his stable-Old Dog, Stray Cat, and Small Mouse, who rest together in harmony. When Tired Donkey appears, he brings with him Mary and Joseph, and all of the animals welcome Jesus when He is born. The slightly fuzzy yet realistic acrylic paintings are dappled with multicolored blurry dots that add a touch of magic to the scene, although young children may simply assume that it's snowing. The very short and simple text, the catchy refrain, and the lovely illustrations make this title a fine choice for young listeners.-E. M. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

The old concept that all the animals were welcomed with kindness into the stable in Bethlehem is the theme of this evocative exploration of the Nativity story. Kind Ox is the original inhabitant of the stable, and one by one, he invites Old Dog, Stray Cat, and Small Mouse inside with the reassuring refrain, "There's always room for a little one here." Tired Donkey, Mary, and Joseph are also welcomed into the warmth of the stable, and all the animals watch as a new little one is born into their midst. Softly luminous illustrations suggest a foggy Christmas Eve and a quiet atmosphere of anticipation. Widely varying perspectives add to the dramatic tension, as each spread is different in perspective: the dog is silhouetted in the stable door; the cat is seen from the mouse's view; all the animals around the manger are seen from above. The poetic patterned text with just a few, well-chosen lines is quietly powerful and will be accessible to little ones just learning about the Christmas story. (Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews