A Birthday Party for Jesus

September 4, 2017
Little Bunny thinks he knows birthdays, and when he learns that the animals in his snowy forest will be celebrating Jesus’s birthday at Christmas, he tries to figure out what to get him. “Does Jesus want toys, like me?” he asks excitedly. Holland sets the action in warmly lit snowscapes dotted with pine trees; with their beady black eyes and brushy fur, his softly textured animals call to mind stuffed animals. Though initially frustrated, Little Bunny gets a better sense of what Jesus’s birthday is about when he sees the tags on the gifts the other animals have wrapped, which include “hope,” “faith,” “kindness,” and “mercy.” Though the story is theologically vague for the most part (“We love Jesus because he loved us first,” Little Bunny’s mother explains. “Love is the whole reason Jesus was born!”), it’s a fine jumping-off point for more involved conversations about the history of Christmas. Ages 4–6.

September 1, 2017
Little Bunny celebrates with his animal friends at a Christmas party celebrating the birth of Jesus. When the young rabbit receives an invitation to a Christmas party, his mother explains that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. Little Bunny dreams of the presents he likes to receive for his own birthday, such as toys and sweets, and wonders what present he can take to the party as a gift for Jesus. The bunny finds his friends decorating a tree outside and placing wrapped presents under it with tags listing qualities and goals such as kindness, faith, and peace. Little Bunny makes his own package with a tag specifying "Love," and his mother explains more about the connections between Jesus, Christmas, and the concept of love as "the greatest gift anyone can give on Christmas." The simple story is told in just a few words, introducing some basic concepts of Christianity in terms accessible to young children. Charming, soft-focus illustrations create a cheery personality for the little rabbit and wintry settings of snow-covered trees and darkening night skies. The final scene shows the group of animal friends gathered together at night, with a glowing star in the sky also serving as the star for the Christmas tree. This cheerful, easy-to-understand story offers a satisfying lesson for families who want to convey the Christian meaning of the Christmas holiday. (Picture book/religion. 2-6)

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