We Were There: A Nativity Story

At first glance this book seems like anything but a Christmas book, but the message it brings is powerful and insightful. The low and ugly creatures that others avoid make their journey to see the Christ child. It is a powerful message to all Christians that Christ did not only come for the "worthy", he came for all, even the ugly and reviled.

I bought this for my son because it highlights some of the lesser-known creatures that may have been present at the nativity -- particularly the icky and slimy ones! Spider, snake, bat, cockroach and rat all hide in the shadows at the first Christmas. The illustrations are gorgeous and the words timeless. We collect Christmas books and this one is a great addition to our growing library. Bunting and Minor are a dynamic duo -- an author and illustrator that each in their own right will be long remembered for their contributions in literature and art. Don't miss this beautiful story told from a unique point-of-view.

I love this story for its unique perspective of the beloved Nativity story. It is told from the viewpoints of 'lesser' creatures, the 'ugly' ones most would deem unworthy to witness the birth of such a special Baby. It is wonderful to see these creatures, knowing that we are not all 'beautiful' or believe ourselves worthy of the honor of being a witness to such an event. I most especially liked Spider's words - 'if there were no wind or tall tree [from which to speedily travel], I would walk', mighty words for a small creature with a great distance to travel. That we would all do our utmost to realize what is most important to us!

Eve Bunting puts an interesting spin on the story of Jesus' birth in this beautifully illustrated book. The unlikely characters of snake, toad, scorpion, cockroach, bat, spider, and rat each take a page to introduce themselves. To complement each page of text, Wendell Minor creates a framed portrait of each animal with amazing detail. Each animal exclaims, "I will be there" as it makes its journey across the desert sand to see the baby Jesus. Unnoticed in the little stable, these creatures witness the events of the night from the shadows. The dark brown and deep blue tones repeat throughout the book and contrast with the light from the bright North Star and the warm glow coming from inside the stable. The poetic writing style adds to the peaceful tone of the story about the little animals. Usually the creatures are hidden from view, but in this unique portrayal of the nativity story, the reader gets a glimpse of them as they are each revealed in a brief moment. We Were There will add spice to any collection of Christmas books.