Cat in the Manger

By Michael Foreman

Book Overview

The wonder of the Nativity is captured through the eyes of a cat in this magical holiday classic Michael Morpurgo called "the best Christmas story since Dickens" A long time ago, in a faraway land, a cat lived in a barn. Of course, he had to share it with all the other animals: cows, goats, chickens, and mice Then, one wintry night, the door flew open and in came a man and a woman on a donkey, to take shelter from the snow. Beautiful watercolors and the cat's simple words create a moving retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1842709666
• ISBN13: 9781842709665
• Release Date: October 2011
• Publisher: Andersen Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.2" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 3 to 5 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Kindergarten

Customer Reviews

Cat in the Manger

The book was received in a timely manner and the condition stated. Since it was a Christmas gift for a granchild in Delaware, this is all can offer.

Great Christmas Cat Book

The retelling of the Nativity from a barn cat perspective, a clever idea. Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Fascinating account of the Holy Night!

As the author of "The Littlest Christmas Kitten" I found "Cat in the Manger" a very heart-warming and beautiful story of the night Jesus is born. There are many variations of the "cat in the manger" genre and this book is good because children can see what an important part animals play in the Christmas story. As told from the cat's view point, they can trace the events of the cold winter night beginning with the barn door flying open until the shepherds and wise men and family leave. They will see why the cat's reaction to the mice will never be the same. The artists' soft and colorful renditions give a realistic view of Bethlehem and the night.

AN IMAGINATIVE RETELLING OF A TRADITIONAL STORY

Hearts will be warmed by this imaginative retelling of the traditional Christmas story. Mr. Foreman's moonlit illustrations are perfect accompaniments for this long ago tale about a cold winter's night. According to the cat who lived in a barn in a distant land it was an exceptionally frigid night. It was so icy that the feline was glad for the warm company of the cows. But just as the cat was growing comfortable the barn doors flew open to admit a man, a woman, and a donkey. Before long the animals heard a baby cry, and then other visitors arrived - shepherds, camels with their masters who were dressed like kings. Oddly enough all of these people knelt in the mud before the baby. That was a night that brought much change to the world, and even to the cat who was in the barn when a baby was born. Young animal lovers will especially enjoy this familiar story told through the eyes of a very observant cat.