The Reindeer Keeper

By: Barbara Briggs Ward

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Abbey senses something special about the little man tending to the reindeer who, along with a century-old farmhouse, a barn full of animals, and fields abounding in woods and pasture, was a gift to Abbey from a stranger. Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in just before the holidays. They have been together since the '60s, eloping when Steve returned from Vietnam. Now with Abbey’s cancer in remission, they’re looking forward to their boys coming home for Christmas.

Turns out this Christmas proves to be more magical than anticipated as Abbey realizes an understanding never thought possible through the rekindling of a belief rooted in childhood. Of course it's who delivers this gift on Christmas Eve that gives Abbey and Steve the strength to face their greatest challenge.

About the author: Barbara Briggs Ward is the author/illustrator of The Really, Really Hairy Flight of Snarly Sally and Snarly Sally's Garden of ABCs. Her projects include illustrating And Then There Was Hope and The Brain Reigns for the New York State Office of Mental Health. She has been a featured author/illustrator on Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh, New York, and Target's Book Festival in Boston and New York City. She has been published in Highlights for Children, McCall’s, and The Crafts Report. An essay led to a feature in Ladies' Home Journal. Her story, "In Anticipation of Doll Beds", was accepted into the Chicken Soup of the Soul: Christmas Magic, released October 2010.

Suzanne Langelier-Lebeda is an award-winning graphic designer/illustrator. She earned national awards for art and publication design as a coordinator of publications at the State University of Potsdam. Her projects have included illustrations for the National Park Service Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitors Center, Georgia; Renee Fleming Benefit Concert Materials, New York City; Adirondack Life and Country Living Gardener magazines; St. Lawrence University; Clarkson University; and graphic design for the permanent exhibit on History and Traditions at SUNY Potsdam. She is a member of the Adirondack Artists’ Guild in Saranac Lake, New York. In her fine artwork she primarily concentrates on contemplative nature studies that explore intimations in nature by integrating watercolor, drawing, writing, and digital photography.

©2010 Barbara Briggs Ward (P)2020 Barbara Briggs Ward

Wonderful Short Story

A wonderful shirt story. Not necessarily a traditional Christmas story. A tear jerker at times.

Heart warming but predictable

Well written book and narration was good
Read this around the holidays and it certainly has a charm to it.
Was a little too predictable but a worthwhile read ❤️

Reindeer keeper

This was the best book & saddest book I’ve listen too
Really enjoyed the story behind the scene. The preforming voice did an awesome job in telling the story made you feel as through you were right there.

Loved it!

I didn’t realize the direction it would take me, I cried and I pondered.
I like the way the author wrapped up the ending.

I loved it

trigger warning. death from cancer. I lost my daughter to cancer. that part was hard

Beautiful story but it includes sadness.

I truly enjoyed everything about the Reindeer Keeper. But please note that the story contains the full circle of life.

Cozy read

This is a sweet story, almost fairytale-like, but also very down-to-earth. Perfect for a winter afternoon. Looking forward to reading to the next stories in the series.

like a hallmark movie

The story of death was reality based but the remainder a dream and make believe.

A Lovely Christmas Story

This was a charming story with both happiness and sadness. But it leaves you with a feeling of warmth.

I am a believer

I hope if you read my review that you are also a believer. If you do, you will love this story. The story gave me joy, made me sad, and made me wish everyone would hear or read it. Thank you Barbara for a heartfelt tale.