One Starry Night

by Lauren Thompson, Jonathan Bean (Illustrator)

One starry night, a cow watches over her calf, a nanny goat watches over her kid, and a pig watches over her piglet. For this one moment, every family in the animal kingdom is peaceful, just like Mary and Joseph watching over their own newborn nearby. This simple yet profound book perfectly captures the universal nighttime vigil of parents everywhere while gently alluding to the presence of a nurturing creator who watches over all of us. Lauren Thompson is at her lyrical best, while Jonathan Bean’s rich illustrations are the perfect match for this beautifully serene story of a truly Peaceable Kingdom.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Religion, Christian

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2008

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple text & beautiful illustrations! Good Christmas book!

[J9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one and I'm not sure why. Another story (kind of) about the birth of Jesus, put together so that it's mainly about the animals gathering with their young. Beautifully written, somewhat like poetry, and the illustrations were beautiful as well. Touched my heart and made me long for Christmas. All my children liked it too. My 5 yr old guessed it was about Jesus and my twin 3 yr olds just liked seeing the pictures of the animals. One I'd definitely like to own.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little animals and their mamas are shown on each page, then the last page has Mary and Joseph watching over Jesus. It has a unique structure. In normal font is the story of the mama and baby, while in italics on each page are a few words that make a sweet poem prayer through the story. The artwork reminds me of Picasso, modern and angular.

Reading age recommendation: I read it to Elliot at 2. It’s short enough for this age but older kids would enjoy it too

[Zoey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a concept that works pretty well to appeal to little ones--it uses animals and their babies to introduce Mary and Joseph and their baby. The style is unique and modern, and works as a bedtime story. The text was a little clunky due to a sort of poem in italics that alternated with the main text, and I wish the artist had a bit more skill for facial details.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book showing parent and baby wild animals from the Holy Land and how they all gathered together around Joseph, Mary, and Jesus when Jesus was born.

There are just a few words per page.
On most 2 page spreads, that's laid out as a comment about the parent and the child and then a phrase that the parent says/thinks.
Example
"a cat watched over her kitten"
"caring for you"

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few words or simple phrases per page. Mentions Mary and Joseph and their baby but does not name Jesus by name. The last page says "God's will be done." Showcases Mary and Joseph surrounded by animals but they kind of look like they're in the wilderness on a cliff? Or not in an inn? Simple, rough lined illustrations with darker-colored backgrounds.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading on my own, I didn't love the two-voice aspect of this (I think it would be better out loud *actually* in two voices). And I enjoyed looking for/identifying the wild animals in many of the illustrations.

[Kathleen]

Baby animals and their parents snuggle together, as the parents watch over the children. Much in the same way Mary watches over baby Jesus. A simple book yet a nice bedtime story to share on those weeks leading up to Christmas.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple religious picture book that focuses on different animals in the desert caring for their babies, then turns to center on the nativity scene. Very succinct text with a calming blue/brown color palette throughout.

[Erin Quarterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the colors and landscapes, short and sweet, but something about the way the prose is broken up doesn’t work as well for me:
“one starry night… a sheep watched over her lamb… /I am here/… a cow watched over her calf… /always near/“

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ages: 2 - 5

#christmas

[Bonnie Tesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the illustrations on this better than the text. There's a parallel prayer(?) text going through that just isn't very smooth. But the illustrations are both clever and lovely.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple.

[Talea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book on the love of parents ending at the nativity, the ultimate love of God.

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and poetic. I liked it, but it wasn't necessarily one of my favorites.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two stories are being told at the same time, one in bold type, one in italics. Lovely with gentle interesting illustrations.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about animals and the birth of Jesus.

[Helen Purdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about the love that was born for us to share. My girls and I love going back and reading the italicized words as a prayer of love and care to us from our Lord.

[Jennifer Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, truthful Christmas story. Like the ending "God's Will be Done" Amen!

[Christabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids said they loved the story and colors and they loved that it had Jesus and animals.

[Melissa Kunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving the best of our library Christmas books this year and this made the cut. Very cute.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, which isn't a bad thing. This wasn't my favorite nativity story, but it was sweet and simple.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wild animals
found in the holy land
and the holy birth

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

On one starry night, several animal mothers watch over several little ones, including sheep, cow, goats, pigs, cats, dogs, donkeys, and doves. The love parents have for their children is expressed on each of the pages in italics, also representing the love the Creator has for all children. But this night is special since it is the night of the birth of the Christ child, something the animals sense, drawing near to the birthplace. Although this story is familiar, it made new with the starkly colored illustrations rendered in pencil and digitally colored.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concept is lovely. However, the minimalist palette (brown, dark blue, black and white) is too monotonous for kids eyes, and the final spreads of the Holy Family look a bit kid crayon drawingish.
I adore Lauren Thompson, but won't be buying extra copies of this. [Author:Nancy Tafuri]'s lovely The Donkey's Christmas Song has far more appeal for introducing young children to the Nativity story through animal friends.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic Christmas story for the youngest. Animals parents with their babies, travel toward the baby Jesus, cared for by Mary and Joseph. Subtle color choices emphasize the peaceful, nighttime feel.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and beautiful introduction to the birth of Baby Jesus for small children. I also love the emphasis on animals. However, I would like this book more without the words on the last two pages :)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal mothers watch over their little ones on this starry night just like Mary and Joseph watch over their newborn babe. Brown, blue, white, and black prints compliment the simple, quiet, and serene text.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this is a very simplified nativity story, I really liked that with a few changes it could be used for anyone (not reading the last page, for example). Very sweet and the illustrations are lovely.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional addition to the Christmas cannon. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a soothing nativity story that stresses motherly love.