One Wise Sheep

"One 'dreary winter night around 4 BCE,' strangers travel to bring gifts to a baby born in a manger. Among these travelers are shepherds sans sheep, whose flocks' sleep is disturbed by the appearance of a new star 'shining bright as the dawn.' Afraid they've been abandoned--or that the shepherds have been abducted by UFOs--the sheep panic until a goat brings news of 'a great feast day.' Trading fear for excitement, the sheep journey toward the celebration, but since they're 'not mathematically inclined,' they can't be sure that all members of the flock are present and must rely on trust. Along their journey, they encounter more animals who steer them in the right direction, but they frequently leave one another behind, forcing them to turn back. Through humorous third-person narration that purposefully occludes the size of the flock, Duck's Backyard collaborators Hub and Mühle explore Christmas through the lens of a bonded animal family in this unique and sweet holiday tale. Mühle's ink illustrations of benignly smiling sheep depict the passing of time via the sky's changing colors as the flock pilgrimage to the manger. Ages 6-10. (Oct.)" - Publishers Weekly

"In this inspired take on the Nativity, seven sheep venture from their field to find a special baby. In a droll narrative intentionally packed with anachronisms, the small flock, each with a distinguishing characteristic (a leg cast, a retainer in a case, a snuffly nose), hears the news about the miraculous baby from a goat. Finding their shepherds gone (they heard the good tidings earlier from angels), they set out to visit the town where the baby is said to be. Various misadventures ensue, and the sheep encounter other animals, including a donkey who tells them: 'A couple of guys on camels just turned up in strangely shaped hats, bringing all kinds of gifts from the East.' Unfortunately, they learn that the baby and his family have moved on from the manger in a scrapyard. The sheep are indeed disappointed, having created their own present: a song that starts out 'Si-i-lent niiiight'--a song that they speculate will be known for centuries. Occasional illustrations begin with the sheep depicted in line drawings with mono-color washes; more color is added along the way. Hub manages a rare feat--a strikingly original Christmas tale that balances whimsy, wry humor, and moments of joy and tenderness. Originally published in German and spawning an animated film in that language, this tale begs to be read aloud, provided the listeners already know the traditional version of the Nativity story. A Christmas tale to hold the whole family spellbound.(Fiction. 6-12)" - Kirkus Reviews