Children's Book Review: 'Hosanna the Humble'

"Things are not always what they seem" is the moral of a new children's book, Hosanna the Humble, by Southern California author Holli Worthington. Imagine being a donkey bored with everyday life, yet not knowing that the immediate future holds the world's most powerful gift.

Well, that is how Hosanna felt. This meek little donkey was envious of the big beautiful horses he saw because they always seemed so important. Hosanna, however, didn't realize that he was just as valuable as the stallions.

One day, Hosanna's owner, Joseph, told him they needed to take a long trip to Bethlehem and the donkey was to carry his wife, Mary, who was due very soon to have a baby. Little did Hosanna know that the child would be Jesus, the Son of God.

Through rocky and dusty paths, Hosanna worked very hard to keep Mary and her unborn baby safe. As he pressed on during this journey, he realized that, "he might not be a proud and mighty horse, but he had done well by his little family."

After reaching Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph and Hosanna took up residence in a stable because there was no where else for them to go. Soon, Hosanna realized the importance of the journey: Mary gave birth to a baby: "His name is Jesus, and he has come to save us."

Joseph told the donkey, "One day when this baby has grown up, he will save us from our sins and lead us to God."

Over time, as many visitors came to see and honor Jesus, Hosanna realized the he no longer yearned to be like the big and valiant horses he saw. Even though he was small and meek, his journey with Jesus made him strong, wise and humble.

This book is a great story for children preschool age and older. It not only teaches them about the birth of Jesus Christ, but also gives them the information from a different perspective. This book is a must-have in your Christmas book collection.

You can buy the book from Amazon or directly from the publisher at zoelifepub.com. Part of the proceeds from the book are being donated to "As Our Own," a Christian organization that rescues girls in India from human trafficking. So if you order the book directly from the publisher more of the money goes to "As Our Own."

• Author: Holli Worthington
• Illustrator: Judy Enright
• Release date: November 2011
• Reading level: Preschool and up
• Softcover, 38 pages
• ISBN: 978-1-934363-98-0
• Publisher: Zoe Life Publishing
• Genre: Children's Picture Books, Christmas Books

Author's Note: Check out my blog, Reading with My Eyes Shut, for a one-on-one interview with children's author Holli Worthington.