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One Wise Sheep: An Untraditional Christmas Story
CCBC Review:
When an extraordinary baby rumored to be the savior of the world is born one winter night, a nearby flock of sheep (each one identified by a single unique—and ridiculous—characteristic) seems to be the last to hear the good tidings. A goat informs them: Their shepherds have gone to see the baby with “long eyelashes” and “gorgeous curly hair” who “doesn’t cry at all” (a girl, obviously, the sheep think). Not wanting to miss out, the sheep set out on a “thrilling night hike,” a meandering journey during which they must repeatedly double back for stragglers. Along the way, other animals inform them that the baby was born in the scrapyard (why didn’t her parents make a reservation at a hotel? they wonder) and that gifts are expected (the sheep will have to come up with something, and quickly). By the time they arrive, though, the crowds have left, and the baby boy (“Nobody makes that kind of fuss when a girl is born,” the camel says) is nowhere to be found. The otherwise disappointing holiday is saved, though, when the sheep return home to find the shepherds have gifts for the entire flock—all seven of them. Paralleling the Nativity story, this absurdly silly yet undeniably fresh tale would make a riotous family read-aloud. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by
Jorg Muhle
Translated by
Helena Kirkby.
Translated from the German
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-12
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Celebrations, Holidays, and Observances
Humor
Translated Books
Diversity subject:
Middle East
Publishers:
Gecko, Lerner
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 68
ISBN: 9781776575954
CCBC Location: Fiction, Hub