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THE CHRISTMAS STORY

FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE

This traditional version of the Nativity story uses the King James Version of the Bible from the book of Luke with a short text and oversized format that will work well for reading to a group. Bernardin (The Legend of the Candy Cane, not reviewed, etc.) has created beautiful illustrations in a similar traditional vein, although he is modern in his artistic sensibilities by being careful to make his characters look like they could have actually been from the Middle East. Mary, Baby Jesus, and a shepherd boy with his lamb are shown on the attractive cover against a midnight blue background, and this same shepherd boy is a recurring figure throughout the story. He is shown traveling with his sheep on the endpapers, running through the streets of Bethlehem, arriving at the stable with the other shepherds, and then spreading the news of the birth. This connecting device of a particular child relating to the Nativity retelling works well, as does the choice of simple text that gets the story across without being overwhelming. Bernardin’s illustrations are appealing without being overly sweet, and this will be a logical choice for families to read aloud on Christmas Eve. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-9)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2002

ISBN: 0-06-028882-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2002

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.

This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781454952770

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023

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TURKEY TROUBLE

From the Turkey Trouble series

Turkey’s in the “kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving...and you’re the main course.” Accordingly, Turkey tries on disguise after disguise, from horse to cow to pig to sheep, at each iteration being told that he looks nothing like the animal he’s trying to mimic (which is quite true, as Harper’s quirky watercolors make crystal clear). He desperately squeezes a red rubber glove onto his head to pass as a rooster, only to overhear the farmer suggest a poultry plan B when he’s unable to turn up the turkey. Turkey’s horrified expression as he stands among the peppers and tomatoes—in November? Chalk it up to artistic license—is priceless, but his surroundings give him an idea. Good fun, but it may lead to a vegetarian table or two. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-7614-5529-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2009

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