The Last Straw

by Paula Palangi McDonald

Christmas is supposed to be a season of love, warm feelings, and happy hearts. But with the children’s constant bickering, pretty packages and a sweet-smelling tree don’t come close to filling the McDonald home with the true spirit of the first Christmas. Then Mom remembers an old tradition of building a soft bed for Baby Jesus one straw at a time. Each time someone secretly does something nice for another family member, he or she gets to add a single straw to the manger. Soon the children’s quarreling and negative feelings subside and the homemade crib is overflowing. But for one family member, a required act of kindness becomes more than he can take.

The Last Straw is a true story. The McDonald kids are now grown, but the story lives on in other homes around the world, where the tradition of putting straw in a manger is a cherished way to teach children the real meaning of Christmas. So gather your loved ones around and share this heartwarming story about how one family rediscovers the true spirit of Christmas. It may forever change the way your own family celebrates the holiday season.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2007

Reviews

[Dayna]

This made me cry! I can’t wait to start this new tradition this Christmas. 🎄

[Jodie]

What a good idea to help you kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I love what happens to the brother in the story. Isn't that how it always works?!

[Robin]

Loved how a mother taught her children the importance of serving and loving one another through the means of adding straw to the manger so baby Jesus could have a more comfortable bed. We integrated the acts of kindness in my family this year too. Thanks Paula.

[Becky Hinchcliff]

This sweet story epitomizes the Spirit of Christmas in such a relatable way. Growing up I remember my family participating in secret service leading up to Christmas. It invited a lovely feeling into my heart that I haven't forgotten. Anytime I feel it, I'm reminded of Christ.

[Vivienne]

A story of love and service at Christmas. The message is good, but the writing and the overall story were not my favorite. But if it touches the heart of a child to give service, then well done.

[Suzanne]

A great story I heard in my childhood during the early 80s. It tells about how a mother helps her children to let the true meaning of Christmas by serving each other.

[Lisa]

The writing is a little cheesy, but it has a good message. We do this every year!

[GoatRobe]

Family loves it.

[Megan B]

This was a tough one for me. I really liked the concept and the idea of the straw in the manger for service items. I just didn't like WHY they did it or why they felt they HAD to do it: bickering, fighting, and a general lack of harmony in the home. Eric struggled the whole month to serve his sister because he couldn't stand her. In the end, it's all warm and fuzzy and works out.

[Jenny]

Great book, good message about the true meaning of Christmas. I hadn't realized my husband's family used to tell this story when they were younger, so it was neat to have come across this book randomly at the library and have it be personally meaningfully to my husband. I knew the general story so it was fun to find it in a book version.

[Annmarie]

Good Christmas book! True story about siblings learning how to give to each other during the holiday season to bring the holiday spirit into their home. It is short and illustrated as a children's book and I think it would be interesting for children.

[Shauna]

My mother read a typed out and Xeroxed copy of this story every Christmas Eve. And always cried at the
"And I hate Kelly!" This book adds a section that doesn't help the story (the manger building) and
takes out the "I hate Kelly" quote. But, I give it 4 stars for purely sentimental reasons.

[DeLys]

I buy one Christmas story book each year, and I believe this was our book for 2011. I am a sucker for a sentimental Christmas story, but I was surprised that this one makes me cry. I think it is because I have a son who sometimes struggles very hard trying to do the right thing.

[Meg]

A sweet Christmas story about how family relationships can be hard, and how serving each other can bring love into a relationship. I am excited to slightly adjust the straw and manger idea for my own family, and look forward to using the actual book when my kids get a bit older!

[Sally]

One of my all-time favorite Christmas stories about family, service, and love.

[Mariana]

I really like this story of a creative mother and service, even when you don't want to.

[Amberly]

This book is just okay. The writing is just okay, the illustrations are just okay. The message is good and could lead to creating a nice Christmas tradition. Not my favorite.

[Molly]

Good story about a family who adds one straw to a manger for each secret good deed they do for each other. This would be good to read and do when the kids are a little older, maybe 5-10?

[Teri]

I liked this story and think it teaches a great lesson about service. For some reason I didn't really connect deeply with it and I am not sure why.

[Robin Raines-Bond]

A family strives to strengthen the spirit of Christmas and love in there home, by doing kind deeds for each other. It's a sweet idea and cute story.

[Sherry]

I really like this book! Really good for anyone who has children to help get them ready for Christmas!!!