The Donkey’s First Christmas

A blue donkey is pressed into service to transport a couple that includes “a woman with a massive bump” who has a persuasive way with lazy donkeys. Thanks to her cajoling and feeding, the donkey completes a very important journey for the woman, a man, and their newborn child. Schroder’s lettering for her text is as distinctive as her imagination. The book begins a series of three stories about unlikely, flawed participants in the Christmas story who rise to the occasion with God’s help. Ages 2–7. (Nov.)