Who Built the Stable?

"Who built the stable
Where the Baby Jesus lay?
Was it built of brinks,
Was it built of clay?

Was it built of wooden sticks,
Was it built of sod?
Was i made by human hands,
Was it built by God?

A child built the stable.
A little shepherd boy
Apprenticed as a carpenter
In his father's employ.

He built the wooden stable
For his donkey, ox, and sheep,
A shelter from the weather,
A home at night for sleep."

---

Ashley Bryan

Bryan (1923 - ), began illustrating books at the urging of an Antheneum Books editor, Jean Karl, who was impressed with his artistic style inspired by many world cultures. Bryan studied art at the Cooper Union School of Art and Engineering and the Université d’Aix-Marseille, as well as attended the University of Freiburg on a Fulbright grant. Bryan served in World War II in the segregated 502nd Port Battalion. Throughout his travels he sketched and painted, even hiding his art materials in his gas mask during the war. Bryan has earned numerous awards for his books and recognition for a lifetime of achievement.

Wonder

Pursuing the simplest of questions often begins a journey through wonder.

Questions a child might ask like who did build the stable? What if I was a child taking care of my family's animals and built a safe place for them at night? Where would I have seen a tired Mary and Joseph? Would they want to rest in the stable I built?

A child's questions about the world are usually personal, maybe fantastical, but always curious about the deeper realities of life.

Emerging readers, picture book, poetry, 32 pages. A poem about a shepherd boy who offers the stable he built for his animals to Mary and Joseph when he sees them outside at night. The illustrations are glowing stained-glass-like images captured in print.