The Baby in the Manger is a children's book written by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Lisa Brown.
Synopsis[]
From Goodreads:
- When a scrappy traveling family - costume designer dad, herbal specialist mom, and very grabby baby boy - is turned away from Ye Olde Cozy Inn, they decide to make do for the night in a nearby barn. And when the innkeeper discovers the baby nestled in the hay, it makes perfect sense to her to claim him as a young Savior (and thus a good candidate for "rescuing"). Mother and Father are naturally unhappy about this kidnapping. Getting their baby back takes a frantic mix of superstition and ingenuity, as well as several whirlwind costume changes. Through it all, the Christmas spirit persists, mangled but alive.
- For years, this heartwarming holiday tale by the acclaimed children's writer was the stuff of legend. Allegedly commissioned and then rejected by a major national publication, and then existing in a shadowy, limited edition glimpsed only in auctions and private libraries, the story has been lauded as an inspiring allegory and derided as irreligious frivolity. Decide for yourself.
Trivia[]
- The story was originally commissioned by The Washington Post but they rejected it as too dark and "anti-family".[1]
- Chelsey Johnson then helped turn the story into a book and Monotreme Press printed 65 copies.[1]
- Writing this story inspired Daniel Handler to write The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming.[2]
- In the author mini-bio at the end of The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming, this book is listed as one of his previous works.