The Grumpy Old Ox - Hardcover

by Anthony DeStefano (Author)

This new children's Christmas book by bestselling author Anthony DeStefano tells the story of a mean-spirited, prideful old ox who has lost his sight -- both physically and spiritually -- but who nevertheless experiences the transformative power of God's grace after he is present at the birth of Jesus Christ in a humble stable in Bethlehem.

Illustrated by New York Times best-selling artist Richard Cowdrey, this new holiday book teaches children the true meaning of Christmas while explaining the central message of Christianity: that faith in Jesus leads us to resurrection and new life.

Moreover, it shows the profound connection between spiritual pride and blindness. Like the main character in Dickens's A Christmas Carol, this Scrooge of an ox is a slave to his own anger and crippled by his own coldness. He seems destined to live out his days frustrated, unhappy and alone--until he makes a life-altering decision of faith that brings him the miraculous gift of healing and joy.

This uplifting, inspiring book will delight all Christians, though Catholics especially will appreciate its powerful Eucharistic message. Connecting the manger in the stable, from which the ox eats his food, to birth of the Son of God, the story shows that Jesus is the Bread of Life; that he came into the world to feed the hungry, to restore sight to the blind, and to set free those who are captive to sin.

All of this is contained in a 36-page picture book that, with its adorable rhymes and beautiful illustrations, is sure to entertain and enthrall children for years to come.

Front Jacket

This new children's Christmas book by bestselling author Anthony DeStefano tells the story of a mean-spirited, prideful old ox who has lost his sight"š€š"both physically and spiritually"š€š"but who nevertheless experiences the transformative power of God's grace after he witnesses the birth of Jesus Christ in a humble stable in Bethlehem.

Illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey, this new holiday book teaches children the true meaning of Christmas while also explaining the central message of Christianity: that faith in Jesus leads us to resurrection and new life.

Moreover, it shows the profound connection between spiritual pride and blindness. Like the main character in Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this Scrooge of an ox is a slave to his own anger and crippled by his own coldness. He seems destined to live out his days frustrated, unhappy and alone"š€š"until he makes a life-altering decision of faith that brings him the miraculous gift of healing and joy.

This uplifting, inspiring book will delight all Christians, though Catholics especially will appreciate its powerful Eucharistic message. Connecting the manger in the stable, from which the ox eats his food, to birth of the Son of God, the story shows that Jesus is the Bread of Life; that he came into the world to feed the hungry, to restore sight to the blind, and to set free those who are captive to sin.

All of this is contained in a 32-page picture book that is sure to entertain and enthrall children with its adorable rhymes and beautiful illustrations for years to come.

Author Biography

Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of thirty Christian books for adults and children, with works published in eighteen countries and twelve languages. His books have earned endorsements from notable figures such as Tony Robbins, Quincy Jones, Kathie Lee Gifford, Eric Metaxas, and the late President Jimmy Carter. A frequent guest on national media platforms, DeStefano has also hosted two television series on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).DeStefano is a native New Yorker who attended Stuyvesant High School, where his English teacher, Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), inspired his passion for writing. His first children's picture book, Little Star, began as a classroom assignment for McCourt and decades later became a bestseller.