Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

by Martin Waddell

HARDCOVER

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Christian, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2004

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_W...

Also writes under the pen name Catherine Sefton

Martin Waddell is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers.

Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2004).

Reviews

[Lisa]

When my son was young, this was one of his favorite books in the world. Before bed, I’d read it to him over and over, and then he’d still ask “mommy, just one more time!” And I’d always read it, one more time.

The story is timeless and poignant (and not only to be enjoyed at Christmas), while the illustrations are beautiful and bring it to life. It is a story of unlikely friendships and the compassion therein, reminding us that there will always be beauty and hope in a world that isn’t always kind. But kindness is there, we only need open our hearts and find it.

[booklady]

It is right that our LORD was born in a stable among the animals, His most humble creatures. In this whimsical little rhyme which early readers might be able to read for themselves and younger ones will appreciate listening to, the animals safely welcome each other to the warm barn, even those who are normally predators, because of the coldness of the night. Human beings are not so kind to each other. They turn Mary and Joseph away from their dwellings, so the couple must travel on until they find shelter with the dumb beasts, who in turn are first to see Baby Jesus, King of Kings and LORD of LORDs and welcome Him into His world.

Inspiring and sweet story for little ones ... of all ages.

[Shiloah]

Beautiful and simple tale. The illustrations bring it alive. The family voted for four stars, but my Lamby (6) insisted her vote of five stars count. Five for my Lamb.

[Clay Davis]

A nice story about being hospitable. Watched a reading on youtube.

[Aine]

Room for a Little One is an endearing Christmas tale by Martin Waddell. The tale of the original Nativity Story is the muse of this story. It tells the story of how all the animals are welcomed into the stable to see the birth of a little one.

Martin Waddell creates an exciting atmosphere and uses great descriptions to add to the magic of the story. I think it is a truly engaging story and would be put to great use in a early years or keystage one class when introducing the nativity play. The way in which Martin Waddell writes in a poetic way adds to the enjoyment of the book. The beautiful illustrations make the story very vivid.

[Jennifer]

A heartwarming story for children about welcoming in those around us - even if they are different than us!

Kind Ox invites Old Dog to share the warm stable one cold winter night. Stray Cat and Small Mouse are also invited to come out of the cold with promises of warmth and safety. When Tired Donkey arrives with Joseph and Mary who are turned away from the full inn, Kind Ox calls out to Donkey to invite him in to the warm stable. Mary and Joseph also find a space out of the cold where, surrounded by the animals, Jesus is born.

[Nancy]

I bought this book to read to young children at our churches Nativity Event. It has a sweet message of sharing the manger with the little animals who come to the door, looking for a warm place to stay. And of course the animals all welcomed Joseph and Mary, and the Christ child at the end.
November 30, 2012

I picked this book out again, to read to children at our Nativity Event.

[Katy]

A very short and sweet Christmas Story

[Candace]

In the stable is Kind Ox who invites in a dog, a cat and a mouse on a cold winter's night. A Tired Donkey carrying Mary, being led by Joseph, is welcomed into the warm stable. "There's always room for a little one here." On Christmas Eve baby Jesus is born. "That cold winter's night, beneath the star's light . . . a Little One came for the world."

The soft, gentle illustrations provide the atmosphere for this Christmas story. The text is easy to read. The nativity story is the background for this version. Recommended for kindergarten and up.

[Nashelle]

Lush illustrations, inviting in every way.✨

[Becky B]

A kind ox welcomes first an old dog, then a stray cat, and a mouse telling each one there is always room for a little one in his barn. When tired donkey comes along with Mary and Joseph, the animals welcome them and then baby Jesus too.

This is a gorgeously illustrated Christmas story that sets the tone by having supposed enemies gathering together in peace and then making room for Jesus too. A quick and quiet Christmas tale that is done very sweetly.

[Jen Betton]

This is probably my favorite Christmas book. In it the Ox invites various creatures in from the cold, to share the warmth of his stable. The refrain "room for a little one here" counters the fact there is no room at the inn for the baby savior, and the welcoming animals share their home with Him. It's simply and sweetly told with soft, glowing illustrations.

[Julie G]

You would be hard-pressed to find a more beautifully illustrated or more meaningful Christmas book for pre-schoolers.

[Margaret Welwood]

Soft, glowing pictures and a warm, gentle story invite the Christ Child into the world and young listeners into the miracle of His birth.

[Loraine]

This is a gorgeously illustrated board book that tells the story of Jesus' birth in a simplicity that little ones can understand. My grandson and I attended storytime at Barnes & Noble today, and I was utterly thrilled that along with her Rudolph focus the storyteller also read this sweet little Nativity book. As soon as storytime was done, my 2 1/2 year old grandson and I went to find it. We came home and went to our manger scene and we found what animals we had that were in the story. His parents plan to read it each night until Christmas.

[Lynne Vanderveen]

Each animal coming to the stable looking for a safe, warm place to sleep is welcomed by an animal who is usually a danger or a foe. Each is welcomed and encouraged to join the others. As they each join in by welcoming the next visitor. Eventually they welcome a young couple about to experience the birth of their first child. And they find the welcome there that the others did. Lovely story of the true spirit of the season!

[Tonya]

Wonderful book about Jesus and His birth. Very unique because it not only focuses on what happened but at the end, stresses the why. 'He came to save the world'. The illustrations set the tone of the book, making it a calm and serene telling for your little one. This will become our Christmas Eve book tradition. Thank you!

[Angie]

Realistic illustrations and simple text highlight a story of kindness and compassion, as Kind Ox, Old Dog and other residents of the stable always make room for "one more," culminating in the arrival of Tired Donkey, carrying a particularly precious load. We read it yearly as part of our "12 books of Christmas" tradition, one per night from Dec 13th to the 24th.

[Israel Waltz]

Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: Early primary
Room for a Little One is a new unique version of Jesus being born from the perspective of the animals. This is very interesting to me. the small words and easy to understand plot makes this a great book for children to read for Christmas. I Recommend this book.

[Kate Hastings]

This book will give you goosebumps. Weary and cold animals make room for their natural enemies on a winter night. A donkey brings Mary and Joseph there... and Jesus is born in the stable where there is room for everyone.

[Jess Gill]

i love both the story - the nativity story from an animal's perspective, coupled with the beautifully, perfectly done illustrations. this has been read almost every night at our house for the past few weeks - a quick, sweet read!

[Jen]

Beautiful telling of the story of Jesus' birth from the viewpoint of the animals. I read this tonight, on Christmas Eve 2011, and I believe this is going to become a tradition for us. The illustrations add to the absolute charm of the story. Wonderful story!

[Roberta]

This simple story about kindness moved me. Jason Cockcroft's illustrations feel alive with movement and light and atmosphere. The detail and coloring is rich and warm. Lovely, lovely book.

[Cyndee]

This book is perfect. It is the story of Christmas, beautifully illustrated, beautifully written, gloriously received!

[Sharon]

Naomi chose this book for our Advent reading tonight. I can't believe that I have overlooked this gem in past years. Simply, beautifully written and illustrated.

[Set]

It's very hard for me to rate the Christmas story with anything other than 5 stars but the illustrations are gruesome. Mary and Joseph look ugly and to be very old contrary to the bible. The full page illustration of the dog has the face of a person and it is very disturbing. The story is about animals that get together to share warmth in a manger and do not attack each other despite the food chain.

[Cristina Quattrone]

This is the kind of religious messaging I can get behind 🫶🏻

[Melody Schwarting]

A short, sweet version of the Nativity focusing on the animals making room for each other, and for a little one. Would be a good bedtime reading choice around Christmas.

[Amanda]

Average Tale

This "Christmas Tale" is very simple & focuses on the animals in the stable on the night of Jesus' birth. Not that children would know, but the stable would have been overrun with animals during the census, where this story indicates only 5 animals with plenty of room to spare. There is nothing remarkable in the telling of the story - I think the book is popular not for the words it contains, but the pictures.

The pictures are certainly the highlight of the book. The detail and feeling captured in these full-page illustrations is commendable. My complaint here is that each page looks like confetti was dumped on it, or some sort if weird light play. Why the illustrator decided to put colorful dots all over his otherwise fine work I do not know, but it is regrettably distracting.

All in all its a decent Christmas story for young children that can provide a springboard into discussing the truth of Christmas, but its not a personal library "must have."

Story: 3 stars
Illustrations: 4 stars
Average: 3.5 stars

[Sarah A]

A different nativity story. This one is told with the animals being the central focus. A kind ox invites stray and cold animals into the stable, finally the tired donkey is invited in, bringing Mary and Joseph with him.
The focus does come to Baby Jesus in the end but the tale is really to encourage children that all should be welcomed, despite possibly being enemies (cat and mouse).
A bit cute but with nice illustrations and simple words for early readers with repetition which will help young children enjoy the story.