This is the second picture book from illustrator Jason Cockcroft to feature in our top ten children’s Christmas books. The American illustrator is most famous for his Harry Potter series book covers and features yet again on our blog because of his ability to capture warmth and depth in his illustrations and project the ideas of what Christmas represents through careful use of soft shades of colour mixed with a luminescent quality in his work.
“Room for a Little One,” written by Martin Waddell is about what goes on in the stable the night Mary gives birth to Jesus. Martin Waddell shows the importance of sharing and reflects on the unseeing sense of Christmas spirit, through his animals that feature in this story, who are always willing to make space in the stable, “for a little one.”
“I need somewhere to rest,” Said Old Dog.
“Come inside,” Kind Ox said.
“There’s always room for a little one here.”
The night of Jesus birth is made all the more special in the way that the stable represents letting go of wrongdoings. By this I mean that once the animals enter the stable they come together as friends and put behind them the idea of hunting each other. As in the Cat seeking shelter promises to not touch the mouse who is also seeking shelter.
“Small Mouse stopped at the door of the stable.
She saw Stray Cat and she quivered with fear.
“You’re safe here, I won’t harm you,” said Stray Cat.
In this adaption of Jesus’ birth it is the donkey Mary is riding on that is invited into the stable by kind Ox. Tired Donkey is called into the stable by the Ox and Mary in labour and Joseph weary and tired follow.
“And so Jesus was born with the animals around Him;
Kind Ox, Old Dog, Stray Cat, Small Mouse and Tired Donkey all welcomed Him to the warmth of their stable.”
This enchanting Christmas story is all about the idea of Christmas spirit, showing kindness to others, sharing your things and giving up on mean thoughts and wrong doing, to come together and celebrate the special night of Jesus’ birth.
The wonderful illustrations make this picture book even more special and memorable and make this Christmas book a truly magical tale.
This book is evaluated as Not Green.
Tags: Christmas, Jason Cockcroft, Jesus, Joseph, Kind Ox, Martin Waddell, Mary, Stable