Book Review and Giveaway: A Donkey’s Little Tale

Disclosure:  Ambassador International provided me with a copy of this book for my honest book review. Plus, the publisher is providing a second copy for a giveaway. Read to learn more!  I have also included an affiliate link to Amazon. If you purchase this book using my link, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

Sweet, Heartwarming Christmas Tale

 

Have you ever wondered what the donkey who carried the Mary, the pregnant mother of Jesus, saw and felt on the long journey to Bethlehem?

Ronni Scott imagined that trip one night just a few days after Christmas. She had been studying her devotional Bible from Mathew 1 and Luke 2 when she started to pray for inspiration about what that night might have been like. Her prayers were answered as she penned a short poem in a spiral notebook. This poem became the basis for her book, A Donkey’s Little Tale published by Ambassador International.

The story opens as Joseph and Mary walk in the wilderness on their way to Bethlehem.

Luke 2: 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

How did Mary and Joseph make the long 70-mile trip from Galilee to Bethlehem? The most common transport for ordinary people of the time was donkeys or camels.  Because of the dangers of bandits, many of the travelers would have trekked the route in small groups, but this story narrows the depth of field to focus on Joseph, Mary, and the donkey who carried Mary.

In rhyming couplets, the donkey becomes the narrator and tells the story of the journey.  He tells of how kind Joseph was to Mary and him during the harsh journey.

“Then back he came with precious drink and filled a little dish, /which placed below my muzzle was more welcome than a wish.”

“Her hands went to his shoulders as she looked into his face,/ and master gently eased her down into a soft embrace.”

Then he tells of the joy of arriving in Bethlehem and although there was no rooms left to rent, they were still able to find “a stable by a stream” and “the very best” accomodations, at least in the eyes of a donkey. The donkey felt at home in the stables and with the other animals around him. He quickly fell asleep. He then later awakened to find a star shining in the night on a “swaddled form — a tiny babe asleep!.”  He soon realizes the specialness of the little baby who he realizes must be a true king.

The story is so short, so sweet. The illustrations are also detailed and beautiful. I really recommend adding this lovely book to your Christmas story collection.

Who is the author of this story which I am sure is going to become a Christmas classic? As I stated earlier, her name is R. Mitchell Scott or Ronni Scott, a retired Air Force veteran and former school and art teacher.  If you would like to learn more about her and this book be sure to visit her on her author website, her Facebook page, and her Google+ page.

You can also purchase this book on Amazon by clicking on this link: A Donkey’s Little Tale.

Even better for the next two weeks, you can enter the Book Musing Mondays’ kickoff celebration giveaway. One lucky reader will win this book from the publisher. The book is part of a special prize package which includes four more great titles.  I have teamed up with three other bloggers to bring you this special giveaway. Just go to the Book Musing Mondays’ kickoff page and use the Giveaway Tool to enter.  Good luck!

 

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