Book launch for The Christmas Elephant story book

Maria Antonia reads from The Christmas Elephant: a Nativity Story at the launch party.

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – At Heritage Christian Book Store on October 19, it was like “Christmas in July” in October. People came in wearing short sleeves and sandals to meet author Maria Antonia and hear her read from her first children’s book, The Christmas Elephant: a Nativity Story, published by Paraclete Press.

Antonia has drawn on her experiences as a stage manager, teacher, and sibling to create the story of two sisters: Ellie, who wants to be an elephant in the Christmas pageant and Piper, her exasperated big sister who’s sure “there were no elephants in Bethlehem!” 

As the Christmas play is about to begin, Piper shoos Ellie offstage, only to discover Baby Jesus is missing from the manger. Can the little elephant remember where He is? Or will the pageant be ruined?

The unusually warm October air continued to waft in as the author read from page after page, pointing to the love of our Saviour, and what it means to belong in the family of God, even when you may feel like the odd elephant out.

When asked which sister she would be, Antonia replied: “I’m Piper.” But the inspiration for the story actually came from two nieces, one with a fondness for elephant costumes. Antonia went on to explain how pleased she was that she was able to help choose the artist who would illustrate her book (Laura Zarrin), and highlight her favourite illustrations.

Antonia is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Catharines, a member congregation of Lutheran Church–Canada.

The sunshine and record heat took nothing away from the festive mood of this early Christmas event, complete with elephant-shaped sugar cookies and kids’ craft table. The only thing that might be harder to imagine than an elephant in Bethlehem on that summer-like day was that Christmas was only two months away!

Sylvia Das

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