The Little Juggler, adapted from an old French Legend and illustrated by Barbara Cooney.

From the same source story as yesterday’s selection, The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola, The Little Juggler is a bit longer and more detailed, set in France this time, and with a different, somewhat happier, ending. The juggler in this story is named Barnaby, and he is said in the end to “continue to ply his craft for the Christ Child and His Mother. Cheerfully did he tumble and cheerfully did he serve.”

I love Barbara Cooney’s three color illustrations–red, white, and black. And the story in the introduction to her version of this tale of how she named her son after the little juggler and then later dedicated her book to “Barnaby and his son” adds an extra fillip of joy to the telling. Ms. Cooney says that this book, published in 1961, is her “contribution to the Christmas season.”

“The next night, on Christmas Eve, the monks came to the little chapel with the beautiful gifts for the Christ Child and His Mother. Barnaby, with a sad heart, watched as each of the brothers laid his offering at the feet of the statue.

‘Ah, sweet Lady,’ he sighed, ‘if only I could match the splendor of their gifts. Alas, I cannot.'”

Compare Ms. Cooney’s version of the story with Mr. dePaola’s retelling, and then, perhaps look up the short story by French author Anatole France, Our Lady’s Juggler.