How the Hibernators Came to Bethlehem by Norma Faber and Barbara Cooney

TITLE: How the Hibernators Came to Bethlehem
AUTHOR: Norma Faber
ILLUSTRATOR: Barbara Cooney
PUBLISHED BY: Currently out of print, previously published by Walker Books
ISBN: 978-0802796110
PURCHASE: Amazon

Following on the heel's of yesterday's Barbara Cooney love (I love her.  I really do!), I thought I'd repost and expand my review of Norma Faber's classic How the Hibernators Came to Bethlehem, which was illustrated by Barbara Cooney.  In it the Star of Bethlehem creeps into the dens and caves of all the hibernating animals, like bears, and badgers, and turtles. They all awake, and come to due homage to Our Lord:

The star inserted a silver pass key, first at one keyhole, then at another. The locks of the hiding places sprang open. Skunk and Raccoon shook themselves. The followed slumbrously where they were led, as the star sang, Bethlehem!

Cooney is one of the best realist illustrators, and has created luminous winterscapes out of blues, rich browns, and the silver light of that great star.


I wish I had more of the illustrations for you, but I don't own this book, and there are no other images online.  So, you'll just have to find it at your library, local book sale, or order a used copy from Amazon, because it really is a treasure.  Also, be sure to check out this wonderful interview of Cooney from The Horn Book many years ago.