The Donkey in the Living Room

September 15, 2014
A bit of a mashup of an Advent calendar and the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon, this book—originally self-published with different illustrations in 2012, and then as an e-book with the current art in 2013—presents the Nativity story from the perspectives of key characters in a typical “manger scene.” Cunningham explains how adults can wrap and hide individual figurines around the house, and then read the related rhyming story together with children once they locate and unwrap the figurine. Beginning with Mary, mother of Jesus, and ending with Baby Jesus, nine characters have their say, including the Angel: “Have you heard how angels lit up the sky/ And delivered a message from our God on high?” Comedic, animation-flavored artwork gives the proceedings a slick, commercial look. This volume can be purchased individually or with a boxed manger scene containing wooden standing figures. Ages 4–up.