Poet and author Carole Gerber has written sixteen picture books, three chapter books, and more than one hundred elementary science and reading texts for major publishers. Her most picture recent book, A Band of Babies, was named a 2017 Best Book for Children by Amazon editors. She holds a BS in English education and an MA in journalism from Ohio State, and has taught middle school and high school English as well as college newswriting and factual writing at OSU. Learn more at www.carolegerber.com. Yumi Shimokawara was born in Tokyo. She took an illustration correspondence course with Kodansha Famous Schools in 2001 and later learned wildlife drawing at a KFS school. In 2013, she won the school's 7th KFS Picture Book Grand Prix. She made her debut into writing and illustrating with Hoshi o sagashi ni (Star Hunting). She has since published Potsu potsu potsu daijobu? (Plip-plop Plip-plop, Are You All Right?) and Osuwari dozo (Have a Seat). She loves animals and currently lives in with a white java sparrow in Chiba, Japan.
Carole Gerber's new Christmas book is stunning! I have always admired her skill for writing verse, which shines in this beautiful story. Her words are brought to life by Yumi Shimokawara's gorgeous watercolors. Readers will enjoy pouring over each page to savor all the details.--Christina Wald, illustrator of over 50 picture books and illustration professor at the Cincinnati Art Academy and Northern Kentucky University A handsome, imaginative volume for Christmas bookshelves. --Kirkus Reviews Carole Gerber once again crafts a beautiful tale with rhyme and rhythm. The Gifts of the Animals: A Christmas Tale gently shows how the animals prepare a manger for the birth of Christ, and the subsequent celebration of His arrival. Yumi Shimokawara's muted color palette and realistic illustrations are stunning, and a lovely accompaniment to Gerber's text. A perfect Christmas book for young readers worldwide.--Terry Pierce, author of over 20 children's books and a UCLA Extension Writers' Program instructor The Gifts of the Animals, loosely based on an old Latin hymn, tells the sweet, fictional tale of how animals in the stable where Jesus was born went about preparing it for His birth. The author shares the King James Bible verses describing Christ's birth after concluding her story. The beautiful illustrations and rhyming text combine to give this book the potential to become a family favorite. I can't wait to share it.--Jane Mouttet, librarian and blogger, Library Lady's Kid Lit Reviewer