A simple, satisfying presentation of the most important events in the Nativity story.
This British import is a gentle, simplified retelling of the Nativity story for younger children, from a prolific author of Christian books for children.
With just a few lines of text per page, the story is told in terms that youngsters can grasp. It unfolds in simple, logical steps, from the angel visiting Mary and Joseph through their journey to Bethlehem, followed by the birth of Jesus and the visits from the shepherds and the Magi. The conclusion offers a final, longer page of text that alludes to the family’s departure for unspecified reasons, “so we can keep Jesus safe.” This graceful retelling will serve well as a first storybook about the Nativity, as it goes slightly beyond the basic story of the birth in the stable and gives just enough age-appropriate information for the intended audience. Pleasant, cheery illustrations in a naïve style use characters with simple, almost childlike faces and present a calming, optimistic atmosphere overall. The text is set in a larger font, also making this a suitable choice for beginning readers.
A simple, satisfying presentation of the most important events in the Nativity story. (Picture book/religion. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7459-6295-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lion/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW
Though the rhyme tumbles and at times bumbles, enticing imagery will lure readers in.
Rhyming text and colorful multicultural illustrations reassure young readers of God’s omnipresence and still small voice.
“Where in the world is God’s voice found?” Perhaps in ocean waves, bird song, or mountain vistas, suggest the couplet rhymes. Even when readers might be faced with difficult emotions and distractions of all kinds, the text reassures them that God is still there and still speaking, if only one pauses to listen. His voice can be found in nature, in starlight, in the love of family and friends, in dreams, and “through His Word.” Admirably, the bright illustrations, reminiscent of mid-20th-century Disney artist Mary Blair’s stylings, depict children and families with a diverse array of skin tones and ages. There is also a refreshing mix of urban, suburban, and rural settings. Yet, despite the appealing illustrations, the rhymes and scansion are often forced (“your feelings, they matter, / even if they’re all mixed up like / pancake batter”), which detracts from the overall message. Contrived couplets notwithstanding, this title will likely find an audience among Christian households seeking reassuring bedtime reads.
Though the rhyme tumbles and at times bumbles, enticing imagery will lure readers in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-525-65385-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
This brightly illustrated collection of 10 parables from the New Testament is intended as a first introduction to the stories for children in preschool and the early-elementary years.
Each parable is introduced with one or two sentences putting Jesus in the setting and often pointing to the embedded lesson. Several of the most well-known parables, including the story of the Prodigal Son, are included, but one of the most famous, that of the Good Samaritan, is not, perhaps because of its inherent violence. The parables are briefly recounted in contemporary language with short sentences and lots of dialogue, with additional short lines of dialogue and humorous sound effects integrated within the illustrations on each page. The moral or lesson of the parables is not spelled out, only implied. Charming watercolor-and-ink illustrations are the book’s greatest strength, with a wide variety of characters and costumes adding additional interest. An author’s note would have been helpful, as some of the parables are alternatively titled in terms more accessible to young children, and there are no Biblical text references. As a starting point for understanding the stories Jesus used to teach his followers, this collection is best used with young children in conjunction with an adult’s additional interpretation of their meaning. (Picture book/religion. 3-7)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7459-6201-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Trafalgar Square
Review Posted Online: Dec. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2012
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