A Shepherd's Gift

Mary Calhoun was born in Keokuk, Iowa, and grew up in a large red brick house on a Mississippi bluff, very much like the one she describes in KATIE JOHN.

At the age of seven Mrs. Calhoun decided to be an author, and she has been writing ever since. She studied journalism at the State University of Iowa and worked on several newspapers.

Mrs. Calhoun has written many stories for children's magazines and books for young children, as well as the books about Katie John.

Mary Calhoun lives in Clark, Colorado.

Ages 4-7. There are numerous stories about visitors to the manger in Bethlehem, some involving a shepherd boy, but this one is particularly nice. Matthew, an orphan, finds a lamb that can't locate its mother. Together they search, until they come to a stable where animals are giving warmth to a mother and her newborn baby. Happy to feel a part of a family, Matthew asks to stay and help; he shears the sheep so the baby can have a soft place to rest. Finally, it's time for Matthew to leave, but he does so knowing he's seen a very special child, who has turned his gaze on Matthew. There's no artifice here, just the plainspoken words and the effective scratchboard illustrations. Colon's figures seem more sturdy than usual, though glazed by a celestial light. The warmth and universality of the Nativity are evident. Ilene Cooper
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