Author: Suzanne Butler

Summary: In a small town in Provence, in southern France, an old tradition had the villagers take part in a Christmas march. The townspeople brought real gifts to the baby Jesus and his mother,  played by real people and chosen because the baby was the newest born in the village. The practice was stopped because of the poverty of the people and the fact that no new babies had been born there for a long time nor had any couples been recently married. Six orphan children, cared for by their grandparents, learn of the tradition from their grandfather and work and plan to have the Christmas march again. Strangers at the last minute bring the hoped for mother and baby, and in coming, bring hope and restoration to several of the villagers. 1963 copyright  107 pp. 

Reading Level: ages 4-8

Reviewed by: Derri Smith, 2004