We Were There: A Nativity Story

by Eve Bunting, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

On a winter night long ago, a baby boy was born in a stable with only the animals to witness his arrival. But it wasn’t just the cows and donkeys and soft little lambs who were present. Smaller, less loved creatures were there, the snake, the scorpion, the cockroach, and others.
Lyrically written by Eve Bunting and luminously illustrated by Wendell Minor, this beautiful book offers a unique and moving perspective on the Christmas story. It reminds us that all God’s creatures, both great and small, celebrated the arrival of the Christ child.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2001

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nice illustrations

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on the Read Aloud Revival’s list of favorite Christmas picture books.

This book has gorgeous illustrations and simple short sentences that will keep your younger and older kids engaged!

Even though this book is a simple story of how creatures created by God, were there when Christ was born, it is really thought provoking and puts you in a moment of awe as you appreciate that magnificent moment when our Savior was born! This is a really beautiful story that puts our focus back on the Christ in Christmas.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonight, snake, toad, scorpion, cockroach, bat, spider, and rat are all on a journey. They know that no one will see them when they arrive for there will be no light in the corner where they gather. But they will be there in the stable on that very special night.

The donkey, the cow, and the lamb witnessed the arrival of the baby, but, in this tale, the smaller, lesser-loved creatures have a place in the stable and give a different perspective to the story.
A series of lovely paintings illustrate the charming poem, creating a children’s picture book to treasure.

Highly recommended.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual take on the usual nativity story. At his birth, Jesus was in the presence of not only angels, and lovely animals like sheep, but also the un-lovely creatures like spiders and scorpions. For readers who believe in Christ, it is interesting to think that Jesus came not only for the beautiful and good people, but also for those less beautiful and good. Wonderful illustrations.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book shows that all type were and are drawn to Christ. I love how it shows the hard work that it takes to come to Christ. It makes us think twice about judging others and helps us want to be kind to all.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Realistic, detailed illustrations. Interesting premise.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. This was a really interesting nativity story that focused on all the creatures in the dark corners of the stable: snake, rat, scorpion, bat, spider, cockroach, and toad.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories. Animals that no one loves make their way to Bethlehem. I bought this copy for my nieces. Recommended.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations here are beautiful, and the story is a wonderfully original take on the nativity scene. The words and rhymes are simple and easy to follow. However, for the age level that this book seems to be aiming for, the I feel that the author is asking a lot in terms of what the kids will understand about the context. Parents might need to sit down and tell the kids a little bit about nativity stories and what all of the animals are going to see.

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ingenious and Original. When i read this book it makes me reflect on the soon to be mission of the babe of Bethlehem. He did not come for those who were whole but for those who were sick and in need of a physician. For some reason that strikes a strong parallel with the animals at Christ's birth. Often times we think of the donkey, the camel, and the lamb. Eve bunting however makes us think of those creatures which are not so pretty: the spider, the rat, the cockroach, etc. Just as it may be difficult to picture Christ with the vilest of sinners, it may be difficult to picture the newborn Savior surrounded by loathed insects and rodents. That is the beauty of the story, Christ the creator came for all mankind, the pretty and the ugly, and they all have the right to worship him.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for me every year at Christmas. It is crucial that my children understand that if Jesus came into the world for us, then he also came into the world for the non-human creatures that people tend to marginalize and ignore, or worse, try to eradicate. I love the text and the illustrations in this book. My children like to find the Star of Bethlehem in the pictures.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

the strangest and one of the most real nativity books i've read. Christ came for the outcast, the tax-collector, the poor, the sinners - it should be only natural then that we recognize He came for the bat, the spider and the scorpion, all are welcome who come to His table.

Wendel Minor shows he can even illustrate the uncomfortable creatures of the night.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an unusual perspective on the Nativity story. Each page poetically describes one of the creatures that was there to behold the newborn babe. But these creatures aren't those we typically think of being there: sheep, donkey, cow. These creatures include the cockroach, scorpion, snake and rat. The illustrations are beautiful and the perspective both unique and calming.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple but different view of the Nativity. "Less loved" animals like a scorpion, rat, cockroach, etc. journey to witness the Nativity, out of sight, in the darkness. Could be a great story to teach compassion for animals often regarded as pests to children, or excite children who are enamored with such animals. Positively gorgeous illustrations.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

While many speculate about the farm animals who may have been present at the manger, Eve Bunting wonders about a snake, a cockroach, a bat and other less-loved creatures. Wendell Minor's signature paintings make the creepy creatures in this Nativity poem seem less threatening. With possible poetry study tie-ins, this book would likely have be sold to students.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rats, cockroaches, bats, scorpions..the outcasts of the natural world but they too, witnessed the Nativity. A somber tribute to the lesser creatures. Moving and thought provoking.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right: Xmas is not just all fluffy

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparse but beautiful text, and lovely illustrations!

[Beth Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange little story of scorpions, spiders, roaches and other creatures who were there to welcome Christ.

[Stacey Mulholland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it strange that Mary is described as "swollen".

[Susie Webster-toleno · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perennial favorite. For some reason, I am in capable of reading this allowed without getting choked up.

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess not many people sop to think about the creepy crawlies that were probably living in the cave-barn where Jesus was born.

This book doesn't have much of a story... You could leave it wordless and beef up the illustrations and it would be a much better book. Or make it more of a story...Like the spider got his web kicked down, the scorpion got his hole blocked, the candlelight woke up the bat. I never understand how so many unimaginative children's books get published.