Certain Poor Shepherds
A Christmas Tale
داستان کریسمس
فرمت کتاب
ebook
تاریخ انتشار
2015
Reading Level
5
ATOS
6.5
Interest Level
4-8(MG)
نویسنده
Jonathan Bartlettناشر
Candlewick Pressشابک
9780763680367
کتاب های مرتبط
- اطلاعات
- نقد و بررسی
- دیدگاه کاربران
نقد و بررسی
October 1, 2015
Gr 4-6-Rather than the expected humans and their crooks, the certain poor shepherds of this story are Ima and Lila, a goat and dog, respectively. Ima, the nurturer, tends to the flock by guiding them to safe paths and finding the good plants for grazing. Lila's large size makes her the ideal herder and protector from predators. Both share lonely, melancholy pasts of being separated from their own families, as well as a powerful urge to follow a host of angels that arrive with a scent emitted from a star that appears in the sky. The rest of the Nativity serves more as a plot point, as Ima and Lila meet some harrowing adventures on their journey to Bethlehem with the flock in tow: from encounters with angels, who are portrayed less as divine and celestial and more as winged beings prone to hunger and sickness, to dealings with the caravan of the Three Kings, one of whom travels with huntsmen. Illustrations, similar in style to that of printed prayer cards, appropriately capture the story's tone. VERDICT Not a typical Christmas story of a peaceful, silent night, but themes of friendship and duty shine through.-Joanna Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 1, 2015
A tale of friendship between a dog and a goat interweaves Nativity mythology and scientific animal facts. "On the first Christmas, so say the Christians, a redeemer was born to save our kind from the consequences of our greed, waste, pride, cruelty, and arrogance. No redeemer appeared for the animals," begins the prologue. It goes on: "There were, however, a few animals who were profoundly influenced by the events in Bethlehem....This is their story." Ima the goat and Lila the dog were both torn from their animal families and drafted into service as shepherds for the flock of a poor, rough man and his family. The man barely notices a new, dazzling star, so evident to the canine and hircine shepherds. When Lila feels compelled to follow the star, loyal Ima and the sheep follow. The animals' sensitive noses tell them that angels-portrayed as humans with enormous, birdlike wings-smell partly of star, and the dog eventually detects the scent of amniotic fluid in a stable. The story is far from sentimental, with unflinching demonstrations of the human faults listed in the prologue, including poor treatment of animals and humans. The prose is simple and elegant. Harsh elements are balanced by tenderness and gentle humor, and there is an uplifting ending for the dual protagonists. An affecting, well-spun tale that will especially resonate with animal lovers. (Historical fiction. 8-12)
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