The Last Straw

by Fredrick H. Thury, Vlasta Van Kampen (Illustrator)

Christmas from a camel's-eye-view.

Everyone has heard the Christmas story before, but The Last Straw is a unique and unforgettable new telling. Voices roll across the desert sands to Hoshmakaka, a curmudgeonly old camel, whispering that he has been chosen for the great responsibility of carrying gifts to the new baby king. With reluctance, Hoshmakaka accepts his task. Every day in the heat crossing the desert, his pack grows ever more burdensome as the crowds of people, anxious to welcome the new king, give him their gifts to carry. He is as strong as ten horses as he proudly tells the younger camels. But, oh, his gout! Oh, his sciatica! Nevertheless, Hoshmakaka plods on until he reaches Bethlehem. In the end he realizes the great honor of his task and never again is there a burden too heavy for him to carry.

Vlasta van Kampen's gorgeous illustrations of the hot desert sands and the cool, star-filled night sky transport readers on the journey to Bethlehem to see the new baby king. The beautifully detailed illustrations of the loveable Hoshmakaka masterfully change as his pack of gifts grows impossibly huge.

The endearing Hoshmakaka is also available as a plush toy to be a companion at storytime. Nine inches tall and adorned with his precious pack of gifts, Hoshmakaka will be a great reminder of the rewards of giving all year long!

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this story about Hoshmakaka, the elderly camel who suffers from aching joints, gout, and sciatica. He's got a proud, stubborn attitude, yet as he is asked to carry more and more gifts to the baby Jesus (not quite sure where he's headed or why he's being given so many burdens) his attitude softens and his physical strength grows. This is a sweet story, and the colorful illustrations are great!

[Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time many moons ago. It was a Christmas present from my mom to my two sons who were aged 4 and 2 at the time. ❤️🎄It is a very sweet and beautifully illustrated tale.

19 years later, I read it again for BenTime StoryTime #7. https://youtu.be/mFRuo_j_2uk . It still resonates as much today as it did then, just as the Christmas story will always echo majesty, tenderness and beauty for eternity.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite Christmas books. Wonderful illustrations, beautiful to read aloud, and a great feeling of peace at the end.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a family favorite!

2024: dad read aloud tonight.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended up being a great deal more charming than I expected. Dealing with pride and arrogance (with some snide comments that made me laugh out loud), this gives a very literal picture of the straw that broke the camel's back...or at least his pride. Excellent Biblical message with a sweet ending that actually brought a tear to my eye. Highly recommended.

Content Advisory: strong (positive) religious content

[Kld2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christmas story about an aging camel asked to go on a journey to deliver gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh. Along the way, he ends up taking on a greater burden than he thinks he can bear, but finds it all worth it in the end. I would have given it 5 stars, but some of the words are difficult for little ones to understand and it really is a book geared to children.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Hoshmakaka, an old camel, who carried the gifts to the newborn kind.

Why I Read This: It was a recommended read for Epiphany.

Review: I loved this book. The story of me: a stubborn old camel who only makes a journey out a pride, and who falls to his feet accidentally at the foot of the king. The king who heals him and loves him.

[LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all-time favorite children’s Christmas book. I love the unique perspective of Hoshmakaka, the camel chosen to travel with the magi to Bethlehem on Christmas night. How lucky he was to follow the voices to guide him to do what he thought was physically impossible! If I could only keep 10 books, this would be one of my ten!

[Lori Tart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Christmas missive so much. Hashmakaka the camel is chosen to take presents to baby Jesus and by the time he gets there the straw has literally all but broken his back. The healing touch of baby Jesus heals his aches and pains. I love the parallels in the story; you won't regret reading it, in fact, you'll feel uplifted. Merry Christmas.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoshmakaka, a proud old Camel is chosen to carry gifts to the new baby king in Bethlehem. Although his gout, sciatica, and joints hurt, his pride drives him forward. Hoshmakaka finds himself carrying all the gifts to the king. The last gift, a piece of straw for the new king's bed, humbles Hoshmakaka prideful ways.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all time favorite Christmas book. Hoshmakaka is a proud camel that takes on more than he can handle. He finds out that Jesus can heal all wounds. It's beautiful, it's touching and it will even elicit a chuckle or two as your're reading it.

[Liam's Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandpa enjoyed reading this one to the kids about the old tired camel. I think he could relate. Lol My 2 year old had a hard time engaging in the story I'd say 4 and up with themes that are better suited for 6-7. Cute illustrations.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. The artwork is incredible.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book about being too proud to ask for help!

[Sandra Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet Christmas story about a camel which teaches about pride and real humility in the context of the first Christmas

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story with lovely watercolor illustrations.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children’s Christmas books!

[Emily Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting new perspective and take on the Christmas story.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a really cool book. I like that the camel is as strong as 10 horses.

[Aisha Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful twist on the Christmas story that combines so many lessons a reader could learn.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about the camel who brought the gift from the wise men to baby Jesus. My kids liked this one

[amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ don’t hate on me for putting picture books on my goodreads okay

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

[John Lear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never heard of this book before, it's a beautiful story.

[Rachel Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations added to this one.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the Christmas story as told by a cranky old camel. They try to work in the whole "straw that breaks the camel's back" thing too, and there's also a bit of a moral about boasting. To me, it seemed like the book tried to do a little much. I also wasn't crazy about the camel's list of complaints, which aren't conditions the average child will have heard of. A decent, but not great, alternate take on the Christmas story.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with the exquisitely beautiful scriptural account of Jesus’ birth in Luke, “The Last Straw” is a wonderful story to read to children. Yes, it’s fiction, but there is a great lesson to be taught by Hoshmakaka, the old camel.

Whining and complaining the whole way, Hoshmakaka is chosen for a very important task. Why should he make such a journey? He’s old. He’s tired.

But is it worth it? Oh yes!

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to give it 3 stars, but the ending falls flat a bit. Proud camel takes on everyone's gift as he walks with the Magi to the stable. A child's straw is the last gift--a piece to soften the baby's bed. The wrap-up is abrupt and lacking (a quick sentence about being proud), but I really like the premise of the story.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of a camel who carries not only the wise men's three gifts but many more gifts from many more people. His elderly knees are aching, but his pride will not let him share the load.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2017: Very cool take on "the straw that broke the camel's back." My kids thought that the facial expressions of the camel were hilarious too.

2021: The kids didn’t find it as funny as they did four years ago, but it’s still a nice Christmas tale.