“Over in a Stable”
by Suzanne Nelson. Illustrated by Alexander Zolotic.
Zonderkidz Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2020, 32 pages, K-2.
Christmas is a happy, joyful holiday. The story of Our Lord’s birth fills us with delight as the King of Heaven descends to earth and is laid in a manger.
Though often forgotten in this wonderful story is what the stable actually looked and felt like. There was no heat for Christ on the night of His birth. The manger is a feeding trough for animals. It is not a comfortable bed from the Denver Mattress Company.
Yet in some ways, the manger is the most appropriate bed for the New Born King of the Jews. Just as the animals were fed from the manger, Jesus, the Bread of Life, continues to feed us at Mass through the Holy Eucharist. Suzanne Nelson has created an inviting, joyous account of the Nativity. The illustrations by Alexander Zolotic are uplifting. We see the loving response of all the animals, people and angels in this attractive book, “Over in a Stable.”
The text is based on the old American poem, “Over in the Meadow.” Besides telling the parts of the story of the Nativity, the author has also created a counting book. It begins with one drummer boy walking to the stable.
Next, readers see Our Lady holding the Christ Child in her arms as the rhyming meter from the poem says “two.” Then in the subsequent scene, three camels are seen kneeling in front of the Baby Jesus and the word three is emphasized. This pattern continues throughout the story until the number 10.
The final two-page spread emphasizes all the animals, angels and people that have come for the birth of Jesus on this most holy night. The text now encourages children to count everything near and over the stable.
This clever book tells a beautiful story. This book particularly lends itself as a read-aloud. Even if you are unfamiliar with the poem, you will soon discover the rhyming meter in the text.
As excellent picture books do, Nelson has also imbedded educational ideas in the work. The children listening to the story can count all the animals, people and angels in each scene. The animals are drawn in such an inviting manner that younger children will point them out and want to count the total number. The animals look peaceful, happy and content. Younger children will identify with these positive feelings.
The pictures of Our Lady and Jesus are comforting and lovely. There is no doubt in my mind that the younger members (and older) of your family will want to reach out to Christ and express their love for Him after reading this book. This book was just published in October 2020, so it is unlikely to be at any public libraries at this time. It can be purchased or ordered at local bookstores like Gloria Deo in Lincoln.
Do yourself a favor and buy a copy for your family and read it aloud to your younger (and older) family members. It is a delight. Merry Christmas!
