Robert Byrd (1) (1942–)

I would say that this book is more geared towards 3rd grade or older. The story is about Theseus and how he grew up, the many adventures he went one, including his encounter with Sciron, an ogre and how his adventures led him to Athens. I would say this book is a very fun read because of it's intricate drawings and enticing story. There are a few times where a name or a word would be hard for a younger kid to pronounce, but with the help of an adult they will be able to learn and expand their vocabulary through this book.… (more)

Walking in the woods one winter's day, Saint Francis of Assisi comes upon a disconsolate little donkey, and asking this fellow what the matter is, discovers that his asinine friend is discouraged by the fact that his kind are given the hardest work, and are ridiculed for the way they sound. Appealing to the saint, the donkey asks why they are treated this way, and is in turn regaled with the story of how his kind came to be: how the first donkey angered the other animals with his criticism and scorn, and how they retaliated, leading to his current appearance; and how God, angry at his ingratitude, made hm a beast of burden. Further cast down by this tale, the donkey is comforted by the next portion of St. Francis' recitation, learning how one brave and true little donkey bore Mary and the unborn Jesus on their journey to Bethlehem, winning a role at the birthplace of the savior, and comforting him as an infant child with his sweet breath...

Pairing a lovely folkloric story with beautiful illustrations, Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey is an immensely appealing holiday picture book, and is the fourth title I have read from author/illustrator Robert Byrd, following upon his Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife, The Hero and the Minotaur, and his edition of the Brothers Grimm tale, The Bear and the Bird King. Legends concerning St. Francis of Assisi and his kindness to his animal friends are abundant, something made clear in the author's extensive afterword here, although I don't believe I have encountered the specific tale regarding the donkey's origin before. I'm more familiar with the story in which the saint preached to the birds, or tamed the wolf, although I have also heard the tale in which the saint's own donkey wept at his deathbed, upon being thanked for his trouble. I would be curious to know whether the creation story presented here, explaining the donkey's braying and his status as a working animal, comes from the St. Francis tradition, or whether Byrd took it from some other source, feeling it fit the narrative, and then paired it with the better-known story of the donkey who bore Mary to Bethlehem. I have not read about St. Francis extensively, so I am unsure on that point, although I do think it's fascinating that the saint apparently referred to his own body as "brother donkey," when denying himself comfort. Could this point to a sense of affinity between the state of the donkey, and the human sinner, in Francis' world view?

Leaving these questions aside, this was an enjoyable story, with a gentle, contemplative end. The accompanying artwork was lovely and expressive—I think I preferred Byrd's animals to his human figures, but overall I found the visuals here appealing. Recommended to picture book readers looking for retellings of the Christmas Story that also features some folkloric elements.… (more)