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The Christmas Donkey
Eleven-year-old Michel knows his grand'maman is the best in all France. And she deserves a donkey just like everyone else. A donkey would be a great help carrying loads of wood and kindling, fruits and vegetables, and it could even pull a little cart to take them for a Sunday ride.
But how could he get a donkey? They cost a good deal of money and it would take a long while, even working two jobs. Yet Christmas is four months away!
Michel is short of money, but he has plenty of determination and is not afraid to work. Everyone will be delighted at how he manages to make this Christmas a special one for his grand'maman. Full love, full of French Christmas customs, this story makes a heartwarming read-aloud the whole year through. Illustrated by W.T. Mars
But how could he get a donkey? They cost a good deal of money and it would take a long while, even working two jobs. Yet Christmas is four months away!
Michel is short of money, but he has plenty of determination and is not afraid to work. Everyone will be delighted at how he manages to make this Christmas a special one for his grand'maman. Full love, full of French Christmas customs, this story makes a heartwarming read-aloud the whole year through. Illustrated by W.T. Mars
- GenresChristmas
128 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1953
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 26, 2023
2023 Reread
Just as lovely. Just as enjoyable. Just as much fun as the other times I've read it!
The setting of a small village in southern France was delightful. And the characters! Michel and his love for his grand'maman was so sweet, and I understood and sympathized with the problems he faced of trying to get a Christmas gift for her, but without her knowing. Julie was another character I enjoyed with her eagerness to help, her friendliness, and her belief in Michel. I can't leave out the "American Tourists," or Grisette and Joujou.
One thing I love about this series of Christmas books is the author is able to share the Christmas traditions of that country in such a delightful way.
Recommended if you can find a copy.
Just as lovely. Just as enjoyable. Just as much fun as the other times I've read it!
The setting of a small village in southern France was delightful. And the characters! Michel and his love for his grand'maman was so sweet, and I understood and sympathized with the problems he faced of trying to get a Christmas gift for her, but without her knowing. Julie was another character I enjoyed with her eagerness to help, her friendliness, and her belief in Michel. I can't leave out the "American Tourists," or Grisette and Joujou.
One thing I love about this series of Christmas books is the author is able to share the Christmas traditions of that country in such a delightful way.
Recommended if you can find a copy.
December 23, 2021
When we finished this book, I asked my children what they would rate it. There was an enthusiastic chorus of five stars until one of them said, “No, not five… A hundred and fifty thousand!” If that isn’t high praise, I don’t know what is. We bought a stack of Alta Halverson Seymour’s Christmas books from Purple House Press when they released them this year. I let the kids pick which one to read first, and this one was the winner because of it’s title. Daddy’s favorite Christmas song is “Dominic the Donkey,” so there was peobably some subliminal persuasion.
I adore AHS’s Christmas books from various countries. You could learn about a country’s Christmas traditions from a dry, nonfiction book, but it is more interesting and impactful to observe through story. We rooted for Michel throughout the entire book as he worked so hard to earn money in order to meet his goal of buying a donkey for his grandmother - all the while trying to keep it a secret. We were impressed with his boldness and ingenuity as he looked for jobs and seized opportunities. We commiserated with him as it seemed that he wasn’t going to be able to meet his goal. We enjoyed hearing about French traditions and learning new words like santon, crèche, and sabot.
I adore AHS’s Christmas books from various countries. You could learn about a country’s Christmas traditions from a dry, nonfiction book, but it is more interesting and impactful to observe through story. We rooted for Michel throughout the entire book as he worked so hard to earn money in order to meet his goal of buying a donkey for his grandmother - all the while trying to keep it a secret. We were impressed with his boldness and ingenuity as he looked for jobs and seized opportunities. We commiserated with him as it seemed that he wasn’t going to be able to meet his goal. We enjoyed hearing about French traditions and learning new words like santon, crèche, and sabot.
April 16, 2023
I read this obsessively at my local library when I was a child. I never forgot it! Thanks to the internet I was able to find a copy for my my library and one to share with my (adult) son. We like to read a holiday book together (usually A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg...brilliant and charming. Fannie narrates herself. A pure treasure) and this year this was it. I treasure the illustrations, the gentle yet real world of the story. It is just...the donkey's bray!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews