Not-So-Wise Man

by Alan MacDonald

When Ashtar the Wise sees a new star in the East he knows immediately what it signifies. He sets off to find the new king, and uses his wisdom to help all he meets on the way. But somehow, his great knowledge keeps tripping him up. He misses each important clue about the purpose of his journey and fails to see the events of the first Christmas unfolding right before his eyes. Rich colour illustrations complement the story, showing readers what Ashtar is missing and adding to the gentle humour of the text.

`MacDonald's tale has the upbeat tone of a comedy of errors, without ever becoming slapstick. Rowland's slightly cartoonish desert scenes let kids in on the joke, capturing the holy story to which Ashtar is blind.' * Publishers Weekly *

ALAN MACDONALD, compiler of Whispering in God's Ear and The Essential Christmas Book. Actor, poet and author of several anthologies and picture storybooks. ANDREW ROWLAND's work has been shortlisted for the Macmillan Children's Illustration prize.