A Certain Small Shepherd

by Rebecca Caudill, William Pène du Bois (Illustrator)

Eager to play a shepherd in the Christmas pageant, a mute Appalachian boy is dismayed when a blizzard prevents the performance

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, 1st Grade, Holiday

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

American's children writer, as well as teacher and editor, known for her Appalachian fiction. Caudill graduated from Wesleyan College and, in 1922, received her master's degree from Vanderbilt University. She taught English in high school and college, and worked briefly as an editor. She moved to Urbana, Illinois, when she married James Ayars in 1931.

Caudill's book, Tree of Freedom, was a Newbery Honor Book in 1950. A Pocketful of Cricket was a Caldecott Honor Book.

The schoolchildren of her adopted state of Illinois vote each year on their favorite book. The winning book is given the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (RCYRBA) named in honor of Caudill and her contributions to Appalachian literature.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this as much as I expected to, it’s a surprisingly unremarkable read for this softhearted reader. I tend to have sympathy for those affected by hardships that come about through no fault of their own but I wasn’t moved by Jamie’s plight.

After reading other reviews that are overwhelming positive, I feel rather cold-hearted rating this only two stars. I did like the title page with its Christmas tree and the ending, but otherwise it left me feeling meh.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rebecca Caudill wrote several books that endured as favorites. Tree of Freedom (which earned a 1950 Newbery Honor), The Best-Loved Doll, and A Pocketful of Cricket are among her best-known. Another work of moderate renown is A Certain Small Shepherd, about a family visited by a special sort of magic one Christmas. Jamie's mother died the night he was born, so the family had some adjusting to do as he grew up. What they didn't count on was Jamie's inability to speak. He was like other boys in most ways, but still hasn't spoken a word by his sixth birthday. Doctors say Jamie needs a remedial school, but his father can't afford that, so he enrolls Jamie in regular school against the advice of the teacher, Miss Creech. The boy can't communicate vocally, but he can listen and learn.

Jamie tries to fit in at school with the kids in his hometown of Hurricane Gap. He's smart enough, but gets frustrated when he knows the answers to Miss Creech's questions and can't express what he knows. He frequently misbehaves in class, and at first the Christmas play is no different. How could Jamie feel satisfied as a member of the choir when he can't sing? In a moment of quiet inspiration Miss Creech suggests he be a shepherd in the play, though he's smaller than the other kids cast as shepherds. Saro, one of Jamie's three sisters, makes him a colorful cloak to wear for the play. As the community's excitement builds in anticipation of Christmas, Jamie is ready to help herald the birth of Jesus.

On Christmas Eve morning the snow falls hard and heavy, a hazard to anyone out on the roads. No school play can be hosted under these conditions. It's a bitter disappointment for Jamie, who almost felt he was a Biblical shepherd and not a mute boy acting as one for a holiday pageant. He clings to the feeling that he has important work to do as a herald on this day, despite his sisters' attempts to dissuade him. The family is surprised when a man and woman push through the snowstorm to their front door seeking shelter. They need a place to stay, but the woman refuses to trouble Jamie's family by taking a room in the house; space to lie down in the stables will be adequate. Tonight the world will welcome another Christmas child, and a boy who has never spoken a word will find he has a bigger role to play than as a pageant shepherd. Jamie might receive a Christmas miracle of his own on this cold winter's night.

A Certain Small Shepherd is short and simple, which is often Rebecca Caudill's style. The story isn't remarkable, but this could be a nice book to share with loved ones during the Advent season. Newbery Medalist William Pène du Bois's illustrations add a needed splash of color, and the final tableau is an homage to the dignity of Christmas down through the ages. A Certain Small Shepherd is something less than a classic, but I imagine it has gladdened the heart of many a child in the euphoric days and weeks right before Christmas. That's as good a reason as any for a book to exist.

[Elizabeth Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read this book without crying--and I've read it many, many times. My mom read it to me when I was very young, and since then I've read it to my daughter. This book is beautiful and extremely moving. It carries me to another place and time so artfully that I always come out of reading it feeling a little disoriented.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this is a book we have owned for a number of years, I had never read it before. I was struck by how Caudill doesn't dumb things down. It's very sophisticated, both in writing and in the emotions and reactions depicted. The du Bois illustrations are colorful and evocative.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mountain winter and Christmas story which is so wonderful, and magical. Coal miner family which also reminds me a bit like the pilot for the tv show The Waltons

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care for it. I understand that it's probably difficult being unable to talk as a little boy, but the story would have been so much more endearing if, despite his handicap, he had a winning attitude and character. It would have felt more noble, Christmasy and magical.

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[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful tale. Prepare for a longer reading session with this one, but it’s worth it!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas story that reminds us to be generous to people who are in need. A boy who is mute shows the true meaning of a Christmas when some strangers stop at his home.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars -- I LOVED this story of Jamie, a nonverbal boy who is the youngest child in his family. Sadly, his mother dies the cold November night that he is born. As Jamie grows, he cannot speak. He is normal in every other way but that one. His father and two sisters, Saro & Honey, all stand up for him because the people in their community of Hurricane Gap (KY?) are not always nice to him. They think he is dumb just because he is mute. The school teacher doesn't even want him in class, but his father insists, saying that Jamie will listen. And Jamie proves he's smart. As the school prepares for the annual Christmas play, Jamie is first part of the choir - yeah, the choir. He is not happy, so his teacher casts him as a small shepherd instead. And Jamie becomes the shepherd, so much so that when a blizzard cancels the show, Jamie is inconsolable and "waits" anyway. He hears something and lets his father know that people are outside. Those people will be the gift of Christmas. Such a beautiful story. I loved it.

[La Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy the book! Read aloud every December, or other months. Keep listening. Be ready. When it’s your turn… you’ll know what to do.

“The first essential in any book is that it have something significant to say --a book that leaves the reader with bigger ideas than when he began reading - that stimulates his thinking, stretches his mind, deepens his feelings. A good book sticks to your ribs.” – Rebecca Caudill

#WilliamPeneDuBoisillustrator
#RebeccaCaudillAuthor
#Appalachia
#Appalachian
#agoodbookstickstoyourribs
#RebeccaCaudillYoungReadersBookAward

These are NOT in the book. The story reminded me of these. Spoilers, only if you look them up before reading the book.
Matthew 10:19,40,42
Exodus 4:12
Mark 13:11
Proverbs 4:20, 8:6, 20:11
Revelation 2:29, 3:6,13,22
James 1:2
Isaiah 11:6

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is not quite a picture book, but rather a short illustrated story. This is my first by Caudill, but definitely won’t be my last. It’s my third book illustrated by DuBois who’s received both the Newbery Medal AND Caldecott Honors. 🙌🏻 I’ll grab just about any book with his name on it — and I’m glad I did here, because I had never heard of this one before a few weeks ago! A really nice Christmas story that I will keep
& re-read.

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story about a little boy whose mother died the night he was born, and he was mute. His young life was full of frustration until his school teacher invited him to be a shepherd in the Christmas pageant. His life is changed as a result. It's a beautiful story!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story of a mute Appalachian boy who wants to play a shepherd in the school Christmas play always starts my holiday reading for the Advent season. It is the story of a family visited by a special sort of magic on a snowy Christmas Eve.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet Christmas story that parents could read to their small children! There is Scripture in the book and a miracle takes place, too!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Christmas story from the Blowing Rock Library Sale. A first exposure to this sweet story. I’m eager to share it with others.

[Julie Zilkie]

A semi annual Christmas read aloud. Delightful!

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet Christmas story. Snap it up if you find a copy since it's out of print.

[LeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been around a while (1965). Don't know how I missed it. I found it on a list of 10 books you should read your kids at Christmas. This one definitely belongs there. Touching and sensitive, this is an easy starting point for discussion about how to treat kids with differing abilities. I was so disappointed for Jamie when the Christmas pageant was cancelled. The ending might be a bit confusing to a younger child who will need to understand that this is not the Christ child. Beautifully illustrated, but not a picture book. A modern publisher would probably have divided it into a few short chapters to encourage young readers. As is, it makes a great read-aloud. Definitely worth a permanent place in your Christmas collection.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be part of the regular Christmas rotation. It isn't so much an illustrated book but rather a story with accompanying illustrations; those illustrations, however, effectively convey the power of the story and provide visual oases along the way. The story is touching, and even though the shape of the ending begins to appear later in the book, it is still satisfying.

[EllieVreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Caudill was an Illinois writer for whom a children's book award is named.

One of my favorite kids' books is her, Best Loved Doll. So when I can across this little Christmas book, I had to read it.

It's sweet and tender, and it's a perfect little book for Christmas, or for moments you'd like to feel a little Christmas.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little book about a little boy named Jamie who is mute from birth. He is cast as a shepherd in the Christmas pageant and takes his role rather seriously. During a blizzard, the pageant is in doubt, but he gets to embody his role more than he ever thought possible.

Good for one or two nights of bed time reading for early elementary kids.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a nice Appalachian Mountain story family story. Whether or not it's true or not doesn't matter, but it 'could' have been true...sure it could have been. It's a wonderful story full of love, survival, struggle, family, and faith. The true meaning of Christmas and what it means to people to this day.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a young, mute Appalachian boy who plays a shepherd at Christmastime. I love this author; she wrote "Best Loved Doll" as well as the "Happy Little Family", "Schoolhouse in the Woods," etc, about a family living in the Kentucky woods 100 years ago.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our favorite Christmas stories!

[Jo Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tender, sweet story; one of our favorites.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks karen!

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, little Christmas story!

[Carolyn Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story.The first time you read it it will probably make you cry, even if you're not the emotional type. A Certain Small Shepherd is a great story to read to children.

[Turrean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sentimental!

[Cws]

JAR4-Cau