Everyone has heard about the three wise men and the shepherds at the manger of baby Jesus, but what about the sheep that were left behind? This is their story.

A flock of sheep wake to a bright light in the sky. They are bundled together as every night, feeling safer pressed together as they sleep. But after waking to the light and discovering their shepherds missing, they begin to panic. Well some do. One makes the most of it and raids the shepherd’s bags for any tasty snacks.

Another sheep blames the shepherd’s absence on UFOs – which the other sheep can’t get their head around. But this same sheep has spoken before of weird things called televisions and telephones. He isn’t to be taken seriously.

One sheep has wandered off and learnt from a passing goat of a special birth nearby. A baby! This is the most exciting news as sheep love babies with their tiny fingers and feet. They decide to visit this new arrival.

But after a few mishaps they realise they don’t have a gift. What shall they take?

After even more things go awry, they finally find the place they have been seeking….

This untraditional Christmas story is hilarious! I laughed out loud at the antics of the famous shepherd’s sheep as they try and organise themselves after freaking out at learning their shepherds have gone awol.

There are other animals including wicked wolves, a goat and a steer, not to mention the puffed-out donkey who brought the special family to the manger.

This story can be read to any youngster or they can read it themselves, but I think knowing the actual Nativity story beforehand, gives this wee gem so much more joy. 

Translated from German by the amazing team at Gecko Press, One Wise Sheep is a special treat to be reread every Christmas and made part of fun family traditions.

Author – Ulrich Hub

Illustrator – Jörg Mϋhle

Translator – Helena Kirkby

Age – 6+

(2024, Gecko Press, Translated from German, Animals, Sheep, Goat, Donkey, Steer, Wolves, Shepherds, Nativity, Christmas, Manger, Stables, Funny, Humour, Adventure, Silent Night, Star, Angels)