A Christmas Story

by Brian Wildsmith

Overview

Who followed Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem? The shepherds tending their flocks nearby, the wise men—and Rebecca.

Rebecca is Joseph and Mary’s young neighbor. The little donkey who accompanies Rebecca is looking for his mother, whom Joseph and Mary have taken with them to Bethlehem. When the two young travelers finally reach the stable at the inn, they find what they were searching for, and a gift they weren’t expecting. With his richly detailed paintings, glowing with vibrant colors and shining gold, Wildsmith gives readers a fresh vision of the familiar Christmas story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192727305
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	10/28/2007
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

Editorial Reviews

A Christmas Story is a quiet, gentle introduction to the story of Christmas and should be shared with the littlest ones.

Washington Post Book World

From the endearingly fuzzy baby donkey to the glorious gold stars and angel wings, this Greenaway Medalist's illustrations beautifully mix the simple and the sublime.

Washington Post

Both homey and glorious, Wildsmith's paintings use muted browns and greens for the shepherds and their surroundings and bright gold for the star pointing them toward Bethlehem.

The Horn Book Guide

Wildsmith is one of the most honored children's book author-illustrators, and this is one of his most beautiful books.

Catholic Parent

In this tale of Christ's birth from a child's point of view, Rebecca finds a lonesome young donkey and journeys from Nazareth to Bethlehem to reunite it with its mother who is resting in a humble stable. From the endearingly fuzzy look of the baby donkey to the glorious gold stars and angel wings, this Greenaway Medallist's illustrations beautifully mix the simple and the sublime.

Children's Literature - Mary Quattlebaum

A little donkey is born in Nazareth, but his mother travels with her owners, Mary and Joseph, to Bethlehem. The little donkey is lonely, so he and the young girl to whom he was entrusted seek the travelers. They pass Herod's palace and some shepherds on their way, and see the angels singing to announce Christ's birth. Finally the donkey is reunited with his mother and the young girl sees the baby lying in the manger. The illustrations are gorgeous, with liberal use of gold. However, some of the artist's conceptions are difficult to swallow. I seriously doubt Mary was blond or that it snowed when Jesus was born. Also, the wise men returned home by an alternate route to avoid Herod's wrath, so I doubt they would have allowed the young girl to hitch a ride home to Nazareth. If you are not as demanding for literal interpretation, this book is a visual treat. 1998 (orig.

Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen