Ein Esel geht nach Bethlehem

by Gerda Marie Scheidl

Despite the scorn of the other animals, a donkey persists in his journey to see the newborn Christ Child.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Davinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una historia muy sencilla que me ha gustado. Enseña a los niños a perseverar para alcanzar sus metas.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NorthSouth Books Inc, for the advance reading copy.

This is the story, a retelling, of the Christmas story with our little donkey taking a long journey towards Bethlehem.

I love the way how precise the story has been written. The presentation is well done. However, I would have liked the book more if better words are used for a few words considering the reading age group.

The illustration is really good.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, quite simply, a gorgeous, lovely book.

A story most of us know well, this time it is told from the view of a simple donkey who wants nothing more than to go and worship the new King, in spite of all the negativity he deals from others on his trip to the manger. He simply believes and his simple faith is finally rewarded. His joy is complete.

The illustrations for this book are dreamy and beautiful, in this watercolor, out-of-focus [but not really] gorgeousness. They really enhance the story and will be a delight for both littles and adults alike as they look for what they can find in each one as the story progresses.

I can see this becoming many a families new Christmas favorite and people enjoying it for years to come. Absolutely delightful. ♥

Thank you to NetGalley, Gerda Marie Scheidl, Bernadette Watts - Illustrator, and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect Christmas book to add to your Christmas picture-book collection. A little donkey desires to go to Bethlehem to worship a new baby King that has just been born. The donkey's master tells him the story is false and forbids him to make the journey.

The wee donkey believes in his heart the story is true and when nightfall arrives he exits quietly to follow his heart's desire...to meet and worship Baby Jesus.

Along the way he encounters a giraffe, a lion, and a hyena. They ridicule, bully and make him feel totally worthless. Why will a new King welcome someone as lowly and unimportant as you they tell him? Poor little donkey feels very hurt and insignificant from the cruel and heartless words that are hurled at him from these creatures. With his head drooping down he stumbles along persevering on his trip until finally he reaches his destination guided by a host of heavenly angels. Will the new baby King eagerly accept and invite him into His presence? What do you think?

The illustrations are simple, soft and engaging. The story is a beautiful take on the familiar Christmas story told through the eyes of this adorable little donkey. The inspiring positive message assures readers that "ALL CREATURES" are precious to King Jesus. I love this timeless message and I highly recommend the book. It is a perfect gift to give at Christmas time or anytime. Both young and old will benefit from its truth.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always looking for books to read to young family members around Christmas, so I decided to look into this book. Thankfully I saw this title on NetGalley. The illustrations in this book were beautiful. The pictures were simple, yet eye-catching. I wasn't too fond of the story; some of the scenes felt a bit out of place to me. Although I wasn't particularly fond of it, I could see how other readers would be able to enjoy it.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the persistence of the little donkey; but this book (in my opinion) does not tell the Christmas story. It tells the story of the donkey arriving to the Christmas story.

Bernadette Watts did a lovely job illustrating The Little Donkey.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author (Gerda Marie Scheidl, 1913-2005) and the illustrator (Bernadette Watts) and publisher NorthSouth Books Inc for the opportunity to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

[vrenzy goel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy.
I loved the illustrations and the writing. Up until the end, I quite liked the story. It may appeal more to religious people I think, especially around Christmas.

I loved the donkey's journey and faith. It can be a good gift for Christmas for devout people. It is a beautiful book.

[Dione Hanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Donkey would make a great Christmas present for children.
The story and illustrations are really good and go well with the story. Parents could reinforce the story by talking about how the other animals treated the donkey on his way. There are so many lessons for kids and adults in the telling of this story.

[Linda Tilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children’s story book about a little donkey and how important he becomes in the Christmas story. Cute illustrations too and lovely words for children to listen to and understand.

[Megan Laird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerda Marie Scheidl's The Little Donkey is a timeless Christmas story of of a donkey who wished to see the King that was just born in Bethlahem. While he is on his way to visit the King, he encounters many fellow animals who do not believe in the King being born in Bethlahem or those who believe the King will turn him away because he is a donkey. For a child, this read is simply the story of a donkey who wishes to go see baby Jesus. However, as an adult reading this story, I find the symbolism in the creators who do not believe in him or in the king as the trials and obstacles a person has to face during the course of their lives and journeys to find religion. This story, originally published in Switzerland under the title Ein Esel gent nach Bethlehem is an excellent story to read to young children during Christmas time, especially if they are at a religious school. I do not find this book appropriate for public school, simply because of the separation of church and state ideals our society holds. However, this book is a wonderful read for parents with their children around the holiday season. Although the story is beautiful, the simple illustrations done by Bernadette Watts truly bring the beauty to this story by the variety of colors used. The pencil drawings and colorings add simplicity to this beautiful story, which I will hold dear to my heart and will want to read again during the holiday season.

[Sophieandmomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Donkey is filled with beautiful illustrations. My six year old son enjoyed the pictures and the animals and finding the donkey throughout the book.

The story follows a donkey who faces discouragement about being an insignificant donkey—how can someone like him go see a king? He continues on to the quest of seeing this king. The story was simple and sweet and ended our bedtime on a good note. I think it would have been nice if there was a bit more to the ending of how this donkey who for so many pages got belittled would have had more words of value and acceptance. I added my own words to wrap up the story with how the donkey was accepted, worthy and that we can come as we are. Also, I loved how his faith was rewarded. I think the book ended too abruptly and wanted just a bit more.

Overall a good book that will work nicely in expressing that Anyone can come to the King in faith. I think the illustration would be so beautiful in a physical copy. Would use for our own Christmas book line up at home.

I have to note the word “stupid” was used for maybe households that it would be a problem.

Thank you to NorthSouth for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Donkey hears that a King was born in Bethlehem and wants to go see him. Forbidden by his human master, he sets out anyway. On the journey, many different animals belittle him, laugh at him, and make him feel discouraged and worthless. He loses his way, but he presses on until he finds the baby King, Jesus, in a manger in a stable in Bethlehem. And he learns that even a lowly, unimportant donkey like him is welcome in the King’s presence.

This is a wonderful, simply-told short story that both children and their adults will want to read together again and again. The lessons of seeking after Jesus and not letting anything or anyone hinder us will be long remembered. The story is made even better by beautiful illustrations. The Little Donkey would make a perfect Christmas gift for a little one in your life.

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it was just so beautiful, both in illustration and in prose.

The story is one most will be familiar with, the journey to see Christ the newborn king, only this version is told from a donkey’s perspective.

It is short and sweet, perfect for reading to young ones without losing their attention. As well as the story of faith and perseverance, this retelling also addresses bullying, doubt, and fear, as the donkey is ridiculed for wanting to travel to see the newborn king, being such a lowly creature that he is perceived to be.

The donkey shows that by believing in yourself and your goals, you can achieve anything. Best of all, once he does reach the newborn king, he is welcomed with joy and reverence and is welcomed to sit near the king, who as we know, loves all things equally.

A wonderful story for Christians and non-Christians alike.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I thought that this was a really enjoyable book and a lovely delightful read

The story was easy to follow and it was fun to read with my daughter

She thought it was a really nice story and having done her first nativity last year (she was the innkeeper) she loved being able to help read the story about the Little Donkey and his journey – she is now 5 and has recently learnt to read and she was able to join in and that made it even more enjoyable for us

The illustrations are lovely and they really bring the story to life – I can’t wait to be able to read it again nearer to Christmas Day

It is five stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

[Katherina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! The little donkey went to Bethlehem to see the baby, Jesus. Along the way, he was made to feel worthless, but he pulled himself together, and continued on his way. You could just feel the donkey stomp his feet and decide that he was good enough to greet the King. What a great lesson in perseverance to teach children. As the donkey stood in front of BabyJesus, he realized that his journey had ended, as does our journey, when we stand in front of Him. Wonderfully illustrated. The whole book brought tears to my eyes. Can’t wait to share it with my six year old grandson. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NorthSouth Books and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Donkey by Gerda Marie Scheidl is one of my new favorite books to read during the Christmas season! The Little Donkey tells the story of a Donkey who here’s about the Birth of Jesus and decides to travel to Bethlehem to see if it’s true. As he travels to Bethlehem, different animals along the way try to discourage him telling him that the Birth of Jesus is not true. The Donkey himself almost gets discouraged until he gets help to get to Bethlehem and sees the Truth for himself. I loved the Message in the book. I highly recommend this book and believe you should have this in your library. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Thelibrarythief · Rating 5 out of 5]

*thank you netgalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review :) *

beautiful. this book is beautiful

this books tells the story of perseverance, faith and ambition.

this book is short and sweet but throughout the pages it holds an important message. this book even addresses themes that happen in the real world—bullying, doubt and fear, and the way to combat those things is to believe in yourself and remind yourself of your goals.

this would be a great gift for any christian of any age honestly.

i personally genuinely felt sadness when i saw the poor donkey being picked on but the ending made it worth it :)

this book tugs at the heart.

5/5 stars

[Ashley Hoss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very well illustrated book that tells the story of a donkey that wants to meet Jesus. The story is cute in a way, but it doesn’t really have a moral or point at all. One interesting thing is that there’s no illustrations of Jesus and the author opts to call him “the new king” instead of using any of the typical names of Christ. These are not bad things, they’re just things that stuck out to me. I have a 4 year old nephew and 5 year old niece and this would probably be a little too basic for them. It’s not a bad story at all, but could have been done better.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really pleasant telling of this religious story, of a shy and timid donkey determined to go to Bethlehem to honour the birth of a new king, even in the light of all the belittling comments and opinions of all the animals he meets upon the way. Not for secular households, but for those who hold the religion behind Christmas to their hearts this is going to be a book to buy in multiples as gifts. Beautiful artwork (as expected from the illustrator concerned) and a really clear and crisp telling of the story shows why this classic work comes round again and again. Four and a half stars.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always looking for books to read to young family members around Christmas, so I decided to look into this book. Thankfully I saw this title on NetGalley. The illustrations in this book were beautiful. The pictures were simple, yet eye-catching. I wasn't too fond of the story; some of the scenes felt a bit out of place to me. Although I wasn't particularly fond of it, I could see how other readers would be able to enjoy it.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a donkey, one animal that is often took as fool and worthless, went out to seek the King. He met so many other animals that discouraged him, but he kept moving forward, until he met the King. Beautifully illustrated as well, this is a good reminder of faith during hardship. Being a Christiaan is not easy, we have to endure a difficult journey and met so many discouraging people, but we have to move forward like the donkey, to finally met our King.

[Gray's · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read children's books, but I remember reading a similar story like this one back in my childhood days. I absolutely adored the images, and the words were fluid with with pictures. I honestly love the nostalgia this book brought back, and it gave me hope. Especially with the trials the donkey faced, it gave hope, and faith. Bless this book1

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARK. I am reviewing to with full honesty.

The story of The Little Donkey is a wonderfully heartwarming story,

I think I reviewed this book at the right time, because like the little donkey, I have been feeling worthless and lost in the darkness.

I think this is differed perspective of the birth of Jesus that children will want to read again and again

[Dione Hanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Donkey would make a great Christmas present for children.
The story and illustrations are really good and go well with the story. Parents could reinforce the story by talking about how the other animals treated the donkey on his way. There are so many lessons for kids and adults in the telling of this story.

[Irina Balaban · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a donkey on his way to meet the king. Although he encounters many that try to deter him from the journey he continues until he reaches the messiah. It's a different take on the traditional Christmas story but very sweet!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! We enjoyed this perspective of the traditional Christmas story. The illustrations were beautiful!