The animals' Christmas - Elena Pasquali

From the annunciation to the first Christmas night, this retelling of the Nativity story reflects the message of peace at the heart of the season. As Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men set off on their journeys towards Bethlehem, the animals that they pass - goat, ox, wolf, leopard and lion - start to follow out of curiosity. When Mary and Joseph find a place to shelter in the stable and baby Jesus is born, the animals gather around the manger, creating the perfect scene of the 'peaceable kingdom' prophesied by Isaiah, in which all creation lives in harmony together - and so hinting at the wonders that will come because of that night. An original slant on the nativity story, told with winsome illustrations and biblical spirit.