Padma Wulandari

The First Christmas Night

Book by Keith Christopher

DETAILS

Publisher : WorthyKids; Illustrated edition (September 15, 2013) Language : English Hardcover : 32 pages ISBN-10 : 0824956532 ISBN-13 : 978-0824956530 Reading age : 3 - 7 years, from customers Grade level : Preschool - 3 Item Weight : 1 pounds , This gorgeously illustrated picture book features a lyrical retelling of the birth of Christ, written in the style of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. "'Twas the very first Christmas when all through the town, not a creature was stirring -- there was not a sound." This beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus celebrates that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago. The poem begins with the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and moves through Christ's birth, the angels' appearance to the shepherds, and the visit by the Wise Men. The simple, yet elegant, verses will appeal to little ones and are accompanied by the rich oil illustrations of Christine Kornacki. Read more

REVIEW

This book is fantastic! I ordered it to put in my kids' "Christmas Eve box" with their new pajamas and hot chocolate - stuff for right before bed on Christmas Eve. The story is simple (as other reviewers stated, it does have some larger words that younger kids aren't going to understand but they're biblical in origin and easy enough to define) and to the point, and is short enough that I think it will hold the kids' attention. I absolutely LOVE the illustrations - they're gorgeous and lifelike which in my opinion really brings the story to life. A bonus that I wasn't expecting is that the last page gives the Biblical story with references. The verses that we're all used to hearing "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid" etc. So you can refer to the simplified story with the biblical version and use the illustrations to kind of explain the more complicated language of the original version. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is what I hope to read my kids on Christmas Eve every year in place of the traditional "The Night Before Christmas." We love Santa around here as much as the next family, but I love the idea of reminding them on Christmas Eve why we're celebrating instead of just focusing on Santa and presents. They get that all season long!

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