Merry Creature Christmas!

By Dandi Daley Mackall

Book Overview

Another whimsical tale from Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Gene Barretta will have children celebrating Christmas with the creatures of the forest. When Christmastime comes around, it seems even the animals find a way to offer praise and honor to the birth of Jesus. Although the older, wiser animals are afraid to invite Big Bear to join in the festivities, Star, the young colt, isn't quite as timid. Big Bear surprises them all as he leaps from his sleep to exclaim, "Merry Creature Christmas!" A delightful story for children of all ages, Merry Creature Christmas reminds readers of the reason to celebrate the holiday season.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400303907
• ISBN13: 9781400303908
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Merry Creature Christmas All Children Will Love!

This time of the year should not only be about gift giving, but about remembering the birth of Jesus. This is a delightful book that expresses the true meaning of Christmas through some of the woodland creatures. As the animals prepare for Christmas, they are filled with excitement of the season as they build a nativity scene. However, not everyone is awake. There is a bear nearby who the animals are trying not to wake. The wild colt, Star, cannot help himself as he wanders close to the cave. Why should any animal be left out at such a wonderful time as this? Star yells to the bear, not thinking that he shouldn't, and the bear wakes up. As the other animals fear the bear's wrath for being woken up in the winter time instead of spring, they are pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Instead of running away, Star stands firm and wishes bear a merry Christmas, and in return they are given a heartfelt merry Christmas as well. In the end, the animals rejoice and celebrate together. My boys and I enjoyed the story very much. This is a board book and fits nicely into a small childs hands. The art work is beautiful, giving lots of room for discussion as the story unfolds. There is also a read along activity CD included with the book which we have listened to many times all ready in the car. This is a delightful story all children will love.

Cute

In Merry Creature Christmas, popular children's book author Dandi Daley Mackall tells a simple rhyming tale of some forest animals celebrating Christ's birth. They set up a nativity scene and are ready to party - and the white mare and her friends caution the colt Star not to wake Big Bear from his hibernation. Yet when Star discovers mistletoe hanging at the opening of Big Bear's cave, he can't resist teasing a little. He yells for Big Bear to wake up and celebrate, but when the creature grumps awake and accidentally kisses Star on the lips, he doesn't look very happy. He charges for the celebrating animals - then surprises them all by smiling and shouting "Happy Creature Christmas!" "Little Star, Big Bear, and the proud, white mare, Join the forest creatures dancing everywhere. All the bluebirds sing, praising Christ the King, On the night of the Creature Christmas." A CD of the author reading the text is included with the boardbook. What I Like: The illustrations by Gene Barretta are engaging and fun. They express lots of emotions from the various forest creatures. The text itself is super-simple, and the combo of great illustrations and simple text make this book a winner for very young children. What I Dislike: Nothing. Overall Rating: Very Good. Kristina Seleshanko Managing Editor Christian Children's Book Review