What do you think?
Rate this book
Benjamin's Gift
What do a donkey, a lamb, Bethlehem, and an apple have in common? A little shepherd boy named Benjamin. The story of his very special day that brings him to discover a wonderful gift is told in soft realistic illustrations using the colors of the bible. But at it’s heart this is the story of an apple.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 2015
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 23, 2021
Benjamin’s Gift is a beautiful, gentle story set in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. It tells the tale of a young boy, Benjamin, who is finally old enough to spend his first night in the fields with his father, a shepherd. Benjamin has waited a long time for this night, but he couldn’t possibly have anticipated all the lovely surprises in store for him!
Benjamin follows his father into the fields one magical night, with an apple he is longing to eat tucked into his pocket. Throughout the evening, he is tempted to eat it but remembers that his mother told him to save it for a treat later in the night. Waiting is hard, but Benjamin senses it will reap unanticipated rewards.
While in the fields, a host of angels appear in the heavens, and when they depart a bright star remains, captivating the attention of Benjamin’s father and the other shepherds. They decide to follow the star back to Bethlehem, and Benjamin is sorely disappointed to find he is heading back to his home town, his special evening in the fields with his father and the other shepherds now ruined.
What Benjamin doesn’t know is that he is about to learn a beautiful lesson about giving. He follows his father and the other shepherds into a stable and watches, a little confused, as they kneel before a baby in a manger. Benjamin remembers his apple and takes a bite of it, tasting its delicious sweetness. He notices a donkey standing near him and feels certain the little donkey is hungry. In a spontaneous gesture of kindness, he holds out his apple to the donkey, who is only too happy to enjoy a huge bite of it.
The next scene is so enchanting I don't want to spoil it, except to say it is a moment of shining stillness in which Benjamin understands in his heart that the act of giving is a miraculous and transforming gift in itself. It is an absolutely lovely moment where all the threads of the story — coming of age, anticipation, disappointment, awe, confusion, the beauty of creation, and that still small voice inside our hearts — are woven together in a magical conclusion.
My favorite thing about Barbara Bull’s story is the way she conveys wonder and anticipation through the eyes of a child. Barbara has had a lifelong love affair with nature, and has a remarkable gift for sharing that with others through her life and work on her idyllic farm, Cherry Point Farm and Market in West Michigan (which I've been privileged to visit nearly every one of my 59 years of life). In this story, Barbara lets us glimpse the mystery of the natural world as a child might experience it. She uses the setting of the Christmas story to allow us to see anew the magic of creation (especially apples!), the joy of waiting for good things to come, and the wondrous gift of giving — the best gift of all.
The lush and gorgeous artwork throughout the book enhances the charm of the story and makes Benjamin’s Gift a lovely addition to a young child’s collection of Christmas stories. I urge you to get a copy and share this tender story with your family this Christmas.
Benjamin follows his father into the fields one magical night, with an apple he is longing to eat tucked into his pocket. Throughout the evening, he is tempted to eat it but remembers that his mother told him to save it for a treat later in the night. Waiting is hard, but Benjamin senses it will reap unanticipated rewards.
While in the fields, a host of angels appear in the heavens, and when they depart a bright star remains, captivating the attention of Benjamin’s father and the other shepherds. They decide to follow the star back to Bethlehem, and Benjamin is sorely disappointed to find he is heading back to his home town, his special evening in the fields with his father and the other shepherds now ruined.
What Benjamin doesn’t know is that he is about to learn a beautiful lesson about giving. He follows his father and the other shepherds into a stable and watches, a little confused, as they kneel before a baby in a manger. Benjamin remembers his apple and takes a bite of it, tasting its delicious sweetness. He notices a donkey standing near him and feels certain the little donkey is hungry. In a spontaneous gesture of kindness, he holds out his apple to the donkey, who is only too happy to enjoy a huge bite of it.
The next scene is so enchanting I don't want to spoil it, except to say it is a moment of shining stillness in which Benjamin understands in his heart that the act of giving is a miraculous and transforming gift in itself. It is an absolutely lovely moment where all the threads of the story — coming of age, anticipation, disappointment, awe, confusion, the beauty of creation, and that still small voice inside our hearts — are woven together in a magical conclusion.
My favorite thing about Barbara Bull’s story is the way she conveys wonder and anticipation through the eyes of a child. Barbara has had a lifelong love affair with nature, and has a remarkable gift for sharing that with others through her life and work on her idyllic farm, Cherry Point Farm and Market in West Michigan (which I've been privileged to visit nearly every one of my 59 years of life). In this story, Barbara lets us glimpse the mystery of the natural world as a child might experience it. She uses the setting of the Christmas story to allow us to see anew the magic of creation (especially apples!), the joy of waiting for good things to come, and the wondrous gift of giving — the best gift of all.
The lush and gorgeous artwork throughout the book enhances the charm of the story and makes Benjamin’s Gift a lovely addition to a young child’s collection of Christmas stories. I urge you to get a copy and share this tender story with your family this Christmas.
September 22, 2017
This will be a classic! This reminds me of favorite books from my childhood which were read every year at Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews