Manger

by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Helen Cann (Illustrator)

There is a legend that describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this rich collection, Lee Bennett Hopkins and a dozen other poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular celebrating the joy of the miraculous event.

This collection of graceful poems provides readers with a Nativity story unlike any other -- at times gently humorous, at times profound, but always inviting readers to appreciate the wonder of Christmas. This book is a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Includes poems by...

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Lee Bennett Hopkins was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017. He holds a Guinness Book of Records citation for compiling the most anthologies for children. He has also received the Christopher Award, the Regina Medal, and the National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. He lives in Florida.

For more information, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ben...

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Christmas Eve at midnight the animals are given the gift of being able to speak. The poems in this book tell what each of the animals would say during the nativity about what they witnessed and how they contributed. Hopkins has compiled a collections of poems from a dozen poets. The collection ranges in styles and lengths but is also cohesive and the differences in the poems creates a variety that adds freshness.

Cann’s illustrations are lovely with rich colors and fine details. They show the animals clearly and also the wonder of the nativity on each page whether they are fish, fowl or mammal. The poems range from very serious approaches to ones that are gently humorous but they are all done with great respect and honor the reason Christmas exists. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

[Beth Nieman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Christmas story through a different lens--imagined from the point of view of animals gathered at the scene. A collection of simple, short poems by various authors express what the animals are seeing and feeling the night Jesus is born in the manger at Bethlehem. The illustrations by Helen Cann capture the gentle stillness of the night.

[Betsy Cypress]

We really enjoyed this book. Beautiful poems and art about the birth of Jesus through the eyes of animals.

[Sara Ullery · Rating 5 out of 5]

• This delightful book contains many poems from the story of the Manger as well as funny stories of animals. This book is a perfect choice for the holidays and creating a love for poetry.
• Ages 5-8 Grades K-3
• Teachers may use this book for Reading, English, Art
• Individual students may use this book to enhance their reading comprehension of poetry.
• Small groups may read this book together and create their own poem of their favorite Christmas story/Holiday story.
• A whole class may read this book together and the form their own interpretations of the poems identified in the book. They may draw pictures to go along with their own short poems about their favorite holiday tradition.
• This book is available online, in libraries and on YouTube.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this collection. I read it this year with a group of 8-13 year olds and they were all enthralled.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poetry book that is based on religion and Jesus. Each poem is narrated by an animal that was in the manger when Jesus was born. The poems describe the feelings/thoughts each animal had when Jesus was born.

This poetry book gave me a warm feeling, especially because it's around Christmas, when Jesus was born. I enjoyed reading each poem and thinking about what it actually would have been like being in the presence of Jesus when he was born. A beautiful book about the nativity scene.

Quote- " I, who announce the start of the days, feel the need to crow to herald a tiny prince who'll change the world."

Books that you can pair this book with are: I Am The Book, & Amazing Faces

[Vilma Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute picture book with poems featuring the thoughts of the various animals that were in the manger when Jesus Christ was born. It has a lot of Christian themes, obviously, due to the subject matter. Even if you aren't Christian, it's still a cute picture book. The art is pretty and some of the poems have humor to them. Even so, be aware, even though it is not overtly religious, the themes are there.

[JD Waggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not terribly full of grace for children's books, but I'm even less so for poetry, so I'm just going to say that this was a lovely idea but not my cup of tea and leave it at that. The illustrations were very pretty and had lots of patterns to visually engage kids. I think this would be a great way to spark imagination and conversation around the Christmas story for wee little 'uns.

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. It is a collection of poetry with the theme of what the animals might have thought/said if they could talk at the manger scene. Takes about 5 - 6 minutes (depending on how long to look at the pictures) to read a loud. Good for K 4 or 5, but olders would enjoy too.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute concept for a book, but upon reading the poems, themselves, I would have like to see something quite different and with a bit more ‘bones’ to them. The illustrations were beautiful.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet collection of poems about the first Christmas from the perspective of animals. My preschooler really enjoyed this book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming. Sweet. Christmas

[Corby H · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this cute Christmas book, animals surround the manger and offer up gifts to their newborn King. Both kids really enjoyed the poems.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Helen Cann’s illustrations paired with the selected poems!

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were okay. I wish the collection would have been a little longer.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

How was a llama at the nativity?

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christmas book is a collection of poems from different authors who imagine what the animals would have said the night Jesus was born.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something magical when we think of the animals talking sweetly to the baby Jesus, being given the ability to speak on that night of his birth. Lee Bennett Hopkins has gathered poets to write in the voice of animals who might have been there that night, and each poem is both unique and wonderful. Horse, by X.J. Kennedy says: “Yet at this crib I am so stirred/that, staring, I can say no word.” For a most beautiful story, this is a lovely re-telling. The illustrations are directly related to each poem. Beautiful, full-page spreads enhance each.

[Lainey Bulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard the story of Christmas many times, but I have never read about it in poem form or from the perspective of different animals before I read this book. I loved how lively the illustrations were for each animal and how the authors of each poem used rich language to make them flow. While some of the words were advanced, the child reading it would probably be able to figure out the meanings through the context clues and illustrations provided. Overall, I really enjoyed this new twist on a classic.

[Lori Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful illustrations and poetry

[Annie]

I prefer Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole for Christmas poetry, but if you are looking for a religious collection, this is a safe choice with lovely artwork. Some of the poems are stronger than others. I particularly like "Spider's Gift" by Michele Krueger.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of Christmas poetry based on the legends about the animals who witnessed the birth of the Christ child. Each poem is told from the animal's perspective and matches each animal beautifully with its own double-page illustration. Like her artwork in Brigid's Cloak, Cann's watercolor illustrations captures the wonder of the moment telling a totally different story with each poem. A beautiful collection to read aloud or independently.

[Sam Gallagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manger is a book of poems from the mouths of all kinds of animals on Christmas Eve. There is a legend that, for one single hour, all animals are able to talk on Christmas Eve and these animals are all celebrating the event of Christmas. The book is illustrated in watercolor and the poems are lovely. This book might be hard to use in the classroom for religious reasons, however it is still a good read.

[Aleisha Douthitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really great book! The story of the manger has never been told quite like this. These poems talk about all the different types of animals who come from all over for one single birth. The nativity story is a classic story that a lot of children can relate to. The poems are compiled and are really well written. The illustrations are painted and create a very holiday like feel. This can be used to talk to them about the way people or animals can come together.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As legend has it, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour at midnight on Christmas Eve. What might they say? This beautiful book gathers together 15 poems reflecting the animals that might have been present at the birth of Jesus. These masterful poets convey a sense of wonder, awe, and humility that is echoed in Cann’s rich illustrations.

[Viviana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's based on the legend that all animals are given the ability to speak for one hour during Christmas, to welcome Christ. The 15 poems represent many diverse animal voices. A llama, a spider, an owl, among others; who join the barnyard animals that we know, to present their messages to the son of God. The pictures are a nice complement to the graceful poems.
Perfect for K to 3rd grade.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories and songs about the animals who may have been present the night Jesus was born. This collection of poetry shares thoughts from some likely animals who have something to say about the birth of the King.

[Rebecca Millerjohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

God grants animals the chance to speak about their impressions of the baby jesus on Christmas eve... it sounds weird, but it is a fresh impression of the manger story with curated poems that are very enjoyable. A new take on traditional holiday books.

[RachelAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glorious illustrations in saturated colors compliment a sweet collection of Christmas poems.

[Sharolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful children's book - I just love the illustrations. I gave to our son last Christmas and look forward to getting it out each year!