Cat in the Manger

By Michael Foreman

Book Overview

A moving retelling of the Christmas story as seen through the eyes of one little cat "Everything was silent. It was as if all the animals held their breath. We looked at the baby, and the baby looked at us." A long time ago in a faraway land, a cat lived in a barn. He had to share it with the other animals: cows and goats, chickens and . . . mice! But that was all right; he was a good mouser. Then one wintry night the door flew open and in came a man and a woman to take shelter from the snow. Soon the cat heard the cry of a new baby. Visitors came to kneel before the family. In the crowded barn, every face was turned to the tiny infant. Through the eyes of one small cat, award-winning author/illustrator Michael Foreman retells the wondrous story of the first Christmas.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805066772
• ISBN13: 9780805066777
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 11.2" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Cat in the Manger

The book was received in a timely manner and the condition stated. Since it was a Christmas gift for a granchild in Delaware, this is all can offer.

Great Christmas Cat Book

The retelling of the Nativity from a barn cat perspective, a clever idea. Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Fascinating account of the Holy Night!

As the author of "The Littlest Christmas Kitten" I found "Cat in the Manger" a very heart-warming and beautiful story of the night Jesus is born. There are many variations of the "cat in the manger" genre and this book is good because children can see what an important part animals play in the Christmas story. As told from the cat's view point, they can trace the events of the cold winter night beginning with the barn door flying open until the shepherds and wise men and family leave. They will see why the cat's reaction to the mice will never be the same. The artists' soft and colorful renditions give a realistic view of Bethlehem and the night.

AN IMAGINATIVE RETELLING OF A TRADITIONAL STORY

Hearts will be warmed by this imaginative retelling of the traditional Christmas story. Mr. Foreman's moonlit illustrations are perfect accompaniments for this long ago tale about a cold winter's night. According to the cat who lived in a barn in a distant land it was an exceptionally frigid night. It was so icy that the feline was glad for the warm company of the cows. But just as the cat was growing comfortable the barn doors flew open to admit a man, a woman, and a donkey. Before long the animals heard a baby cry, and then other visitors arrived - shepherds, camels with their masters who were dressed like kings. Oddly enough all of these people knelt in the mud before the baby. That was a night that brought much change to the world, and even to the cat who was in the barn when a baby was born. Young animal lovers will especially enjoy this familiar story told through the eyes of a very observant cat.