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In this emotive Christmas tale, author and artist Wallace invites readers to the birth of Jesus seen through the eyes of a curious, adventurous young camel, Tabor. He lives with his camel parents in the pleasant confines of Omar’s Trading Post, where travelers on their way to Bethlehem often stop for supplies. One day, Tabor notices that the trading post is unusually busy and learns that multitudes are heading to Bethlehem for a Roman census. Among these travelers Tabor starts a conversation with a beautiful girl camel, Trina, who wears a veil over her face. As they chat, the wind blows her veil away. Trina is suddenly terrified because no one is allowed to see her beautiful face. She asks for Tabor’s prayers that she might escape the punishment for disobedient camels—harsh labor in the sand pits. Tabor’s prayers are answered in a special way. He travels to Bethlehem with the Magi, guided by a bright star, meets up with Trina again, and learns of the birth of the world’s new, spiritual king.
Wallace, a professional painter who also composes music and songs, wrote Tabor’s saga after a heart-rending experience during a visit to Poland. The book’s introduction recounts that journey and her chance meeting with a former Polish royal whose reign was curtailed and his palace occupied and stripped of its fine artworks by invading Nazis. This encounter inspired her to write about Tabor and his fascination with the “Star of Hope,” as described in the Holy Bible. Wallace inserts pertinent scriptural quotations at various points in her narrative of Tabor’s captivation with Trina and his evolving deep devotion to Jesus. Her soft, bright illustrations throughout convey Tabor’s perceptions and sensitivities. Wallace’s tale will be welcomed by older children and their parents, providing a charming addition to holiday reading.