Every year, Il Circo Piccolo . . . the Little Circus . . . travels across the country and plays a special Christmas Eve performance at a small village. But this year the village is practically empty: the crops did not grow well and most of the shops are closed. And so is the church. The people have no money. Only the old-timers are left.

The Impresario leaves Jingle the Clown, who is too young and too small to perform with the other clowns, and the baby animals in the village and hurries away to the next village to perform there.

The townspeople help Jingle set up the tent for the baby animals, but everyone is sad that there will be nothing special for Christmas Eve.

But Jingle and the baby animals come up with a plan for a special present for the villagers. Can their gift bring the happiness of Christmas to the people of the village?

Readers young and old will treasure this sweet narrative that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and spotlights the joy of giving, both of which shine through in this special story.

Highly recommended. ( )