Manger

K-Gr 3— An introduction by the prolific poetry anthologist sets the stage for this exuberant celebration of the not-so-silent night on which the baby Jesus was born. Ranging from tender to humorous, 14 poems by masters of their craft (Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and more) relate the eyewitness reactions of various barnyard animals as God grants them the gift of human thought and speech. Only X. J. Kennedy's "Horse" is struck silent. "On Christmas Eve, the night unique,/they say we beasts find tongues to speak./Yet at this crib I am so stirred/that, staring, I can say no word." Handsome, detailed folk-art watercolor drawings accompany each animal's spread. Eye-catching endpapers, which are a pleasing collage of all of the animals, complete the package. Warm and satisfying, this is a top choice for holiday gift-giving or sharing in a classroom, church, or library.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library