Book Thoughts: Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (Wilson)

• a little mouse claims a family’s nativity scene for his new house
• after pushing the little statues out each day, he sleeps in baby Jesus’s manger
• on Christmas Eve, he hears the “big people” tell the true Christmas story and is convicted to find a new home
• sweet illustrations

Type: picture book
Ages: 3-8
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman

How many of us push Jesus out of our lives to make room for our worldly pleasures? Whether Karma intended that comparison or not, it gives food for thought as the little mouse pushes baby Jesus out of the manger each night. Mortimer’s story teaches young listeners what Christmas is really about–a baby that came to save the world! It remains true to Scripture.

After praying to God that He might help him find a new home, Mortimer then spies a freshly-made gingerbread house and moves in. The story ends with him saying, “Thank you, Jesus. You’ve made room for me, too.”

Overall, it is a cozy story for littles.