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Two thousand years ago, a tiny mouse, only eight days old, helps to change the fate of the entire world. Jemmy lives with his mother, Samaria, in the cellar of an old warehouse. His curiosity keeps him quite energetically scurrying about in his limited surroundings, helping his mother pick up grains of wheat stored in their little world. But while whizzing about one day, Jemmy discovers a shining thread hanging from the ceiling. He investigates and finds that at its end is a shimmering silver spider named Hope, who has been sent to alert the world to something special that is about to happen. In a nearby cave, an extraordinary child will soon be born. Hope’s mission is to act as a guide to those seeking to greet that newborn, and he chooses Jemmy to help him.
Jemmy and Samaria wrap Hope in a walnut shell to conceal her light and go to the temple to ask the advice of the minister rat, Hycanus. But to their astonishment, Hycanus knows about the prophesized birth of a boy destined to be a king. He is determined to prevent the event from happening by destroying the heavenly signals like the one that Hope carries. When Hycanus realizes that Samaria and Jemmy are concealing one of the very signs he seeks to eliminate, he sends soldier rats to pursue them. Samaria gives Jemmy the walnut and launches him onto a human raft, where he hides with his precious cargo. Jemmy and Hope will find themselves in Egypt, where they will be aided by a gorgeous green lizard named Cleo and by Hope’s new prophecy: “Trust in the magnificent wings of the Angel of Truth….” This revelation will lead the two, finally, after great dangers have been overcome, to the birthplace of the new king and give them the opportunity to fulfill their destined roles in signaling this unique event to the world.
The author has created an engaging saga that youngsters can read and appreciate in the days leading up to Christmas. In the little mouse, Jemmy, Diaz offers a hero that children can readily identify with—one who is curious, brave, and ready for a great adventure even at such an early age. Hope, too, is an intriguing character, determined to deliver the silver rays that will, it is predicted, be an integral part of a world-saving event. In addition to this action-filled, imaginative amplification of biblical text, Diaz also introduces his young readers to certain classical references. The lovely Egyptian lizard Cleo, for example, meets and instantly is smitten by a brave protective rat identified as Marc, thus alluding to a storied romance that can be food for further learning. The story is filled with danger and daring from the beginning, and at the end, it offers an inspiring surprise. Written in simple language with credible dialogue and many vibrant touches, Diaz’s tale has a graphic feel that can stir the imaginations of its audience with a wish to know more about the world’s first Christmas Day.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review