"Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths,...wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds,..." Psalm 148:7,10

The Animals Speak: A Christmas Eve Legend by Marion Dane Bauer is based on a legend where animals can talk during a "magical midnight" and that Jesus was born during such a time. The animals speak to worship the born savior and we are to do the same. The illustrations are beautiful in this book. The story invites us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and the magic that already exists-before the presents and added traditions.

This review is short and sweet, but so is this book. Amazing pictures, a simple story line that points to our savior, and the picture of the whole earth rejoicing at the birth of Jesus make this book a win.