The Star

3.4/5 ( ratings)

On a bitterly cold Christmas Eve, Owl tries to explain the concept of Christmas to his hungry companions Raven, White Grouse, Sheep, and Mouse. They are confused and skeptical, especially when Owl tries to convince them that there are good human beings. He tells them about Christmas, which he calls ""the Feast of Peace and Love."" Sheep points out that humans eat meat during this celebration, and Owl has to agree. ""People,"" he says, ""have their own definition of peace and love."" The others still aren't convinced, until a man and a child come out of the forest and leave the animals food so that they, too, can celebrate. Litty's elegant pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations effectively portray the stark, chilly landscape, and the animals all display distinctive personalities. The text is a tad stilted, yet there is humor, and the story does have an ultimately satisfying conclusion. Line justification changes from page to page, which makes the text a little difficult to read. Adults looking for a book to start a discussion about human nature and the true meaning of the season may find it worth the effort.-M. A. Copyright 2001 CahnersBusiness Information, Inc. Book Description It is a bitterly cold Christmas Eve, and in all the snowy landscape there is not a scrap of food to be had. The woodland creatures huddle together, cold and hungry, as Owl tells them the story of Christmas and its promise of peace and love among mankind. The other creatures are at first skeptical. In their experience humans are cruel predators to be feared and avoided. Then, to their surprise and delight, Owl's words prove true. A man and a boy come trudging through the snow, bringing food to the starving animals and the spirit of Christmas to all.