THE DONKEY'S SONG

A rhyming Nativity narrative.

The donkey who carried Mary to the Nativity calmly focuses on feelings of wonderment surrounding the child’s birth. With huge eyes and a disproportionately large head, it’s tough to imagine this tiny creature hauling humans; still, the little donkey is utterly adorable. Lines like “a bit of tingle-my-toes. / That’s how the evergreen / smelled to me, / a bit of fresh pine to my nose” offer opportunities for caregivers to extend the reading to sensory activities, though the scent of pine doesn’t seem historically accurate. An uncluttered stable features friendly, curious barn animals that greet baby Jesus along with the three Wise Men. Told in verse, the tale evokes a tender, pleasant mood. Despite the title, it is unclear if the text can be sung aloud or if it is a reference to the closing lines, “I lifted my head / above His hay bed // …and sang of this morning of grace.” Jesus, referred to as “the Baby” and “the Babe,” is tan-skinned, as are his parents. Two of the Wise Men are light-skinned, while one is darker-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A gentle, spare tale, part bedtime story, part Christmas fare.