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Asleep on the Hay: A Dust Bowl Christmas by Ben Sowards
It’s Christmas Eve when a knock comes at the door of Paul’s family farmhouse. A small family is stranded due to a broken-down truck and seeks shelter for the evening. Paul’s grandfather not only welcomes them in, but offers them dinner and a bed for the night. Even though it is a season of giving, Paul’s heart is not filled with charity. It’s the height of the Dust Bowl and food is scarce. Why should he share what little he has with strangers? Worse, in order to help the sick baby, Paul will have to sell his beloved calf to buy a part to fix the truck.
Angry, he retreats to the barn, where he sleeps and dreams of faraway Bethlehem. In his dream, he visits Mary and Joseph, and their newborn son, Jesus. The family offers Paul food and shelter and warmth—extending to him the love and charity he lacks and teaching him of the true meaning of Christmas.
Book Description:
Review:
Asleep on the Hay depicts the true meaning of Christmas in a short and beautiful story that children and adults of all ages can appreciate. With the consumerism abounding around us, it's hard to imagine a time when there were no presents under a tree (or a tree for that matter), and where those around you would be in such dire straits that they'd need to rely on the goodness of strangers giving the last they had to help. This is a good lesson for children to learn, and for adults to remember.
The illustrations are stunning. Mr. Sowards is a truly talented artist. This would be a great book to display during the Christmas season.
The illustrations are stunning. Mr. Sowards is a truly talented artist. This would be a great book to display during the Christmas season.
About the Author & Illustrator:
Ben Sowards is the illustrator of many well-loved picture books, including A Christmas Dress for Ellen, Seven Miracles that Saved America, and Christmas Oranges.
Ben Sowards teaches others to paint both traditionally and digitally at Southern Utah University, where has directed the illustration program since 2001.
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Title: Asleep on the HayAuthor: Ben Sowards
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published: October 2015
ISBN: 1629720674
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book
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