Review by New York Times Review
This simple retelling of the Nativity opens fittingly with a moon-faced owl, whose hushed watchfulness sets the tone for the book, which doubles as a bedtime tale. Told largely through the gathering of the animals, as befits a Christmas story for very young readers, Thompson's rendition emphasizes mood and setting. Bean's atmospheric illustrations, in earthy tones of black, taupe and slate blue, give this quiet tale of maternal devotion a distinctive and appropriately lovely look. A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT By Nola Buck. Illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright. 24 pp. Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins. $12.99. (Picture book; ages 2 to 5) "Goodnight to the angel choir./Goodnight to the star above./Goodnight to the Holy Family./Goodnight to the ones we love," run the couplets of this pleasing bedtime book, which grounds the Nativity story in the young reader's own familial experience. (On a very good night.) A debut for Wright, the illustrator, "A Christmas Goodnight" features sweet-faced children and animals and an especially cozy-looking manger, which work well with Buck's graceful rhymes. THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER By Barbara Robinson. Illustrated by Laura Cornell. 40 pp. Harper/HarperCollins. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Their subject matter may be solemn, but Christmas pageants are opportune moments for comedy. This picture book adaptation of Robinson's popular 1972 novel of the same name features the Herdmans - "the worst kids in the history of the world" - and their takeover of the town's annual pageant. The frantic, comedic drawings by Cornell, who illustrates Jamie Lee Curtis's children's books, suit this tale of holiday misbehavior and unanticipated generosity, which she amplifies in scribbly, animated style. THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS From the King James Bible. Illustrated by Pamela Dalton. 32 pp. Handprint/Chronicle. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Dalton's extraordinary illustrations for Katherine Paterson's retelling of "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" won rave reviews this past summer. Here, she uses the same intricate cut-paper artwork set against a dramatic black background, to great effect. Shimmering as in an illuminated text, the angel Gabriel, the Wise Men and the Virgin Mary reflect medieval iconography as well as the American folk art tradition. Children will enjoy contemplating the serene scenes to the cadence of the archaic language in the text. THE THIRD GIFT By Linda Sue Park. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. 32 pp. Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 6 to 9) Park, a Newbery medalist, strikes a highly original note in this beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated story about a boy who learns from his father how to cultivate myrrh in the Arab desert. Myrrh, drops of which the father and son call tears, is drawn from tree sap, then used as medicine, flavoring, salve and funereal incense. "When you smell the tears at a funeral, you know that someone truly beloved has died," the boy explains. Today's collection is destined for three men in fine robes, who add it to their stock of gold and frankincense. "The gifts are for a baby," they tell him. PAMELA PAUL ONLINE A slide show of this week's illustrated books at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [December 4, 2012]
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The "worst kids in the history of the world" are laugh-out-loud outrageous in this rollicking picture-book adaptation of Robinson's 1972 novel. Cornell's (My Mommy Hung the Moon) humorous, energetic illustrations highlight the incorrigible Herdman siblings' naughtiness, as they're pictured acting out well beyond the shenanigans chronicled in the punchy text. At Sunday school, they "stole all the money out of the collection plate," and the fact that they don't know the Nativity story "didn't stop them from picking out the best parts for themselves." As in the original version, they steal the show, providing a satisfying primer for kids not yet ready for Robinson's longer holiday treat. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-The infamous Christmas pageant scene from Robinson's chapter book of the same name (HarperCollins, 1972) has been condensed quite successfully into a picture book. Readers are introduced to the six Herdmans, "the worst kids in the history of the world." They lie, steal, and play with matches ".and when they didn't have anything else to do, they would bang the garage door up and down and try to squash each other." When they take over the annual Christmas pageant, everyone is horrified but, of course, the Herdmans bring a chaotic sincerity and authenticity to the evening that is truly moving. Cornell's trademark pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings capture the skinny-legged, scraggly-haired, snaggle-toothed Herdmans to a tee.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The beloved novel about the ultimate church Christmas pageant is abridged for a younger audience or shorter holiday storytimes, with charming watercolor illustrations that bring the crowd of Herdmans to life.Robinson's classic tale, first published in 1972, relates the story of the six ill-behaved Herdman children, who suddenly begin attending Sunday school at their neighborhood church. They take over all the major roles in the Christmas pageant, causing lots of humorous mischief along the way. The unusual pageant is ultimately a great success, with heartfelt performances by the Herdman kids, who bring their holiday ham to the manger as their offering. This truncated version cuts the longer story down to just the basic plot elements, without the hilarious hijinks of the Herdmans and with some loss of the subtle underlying theme conveyed in the full-length novel. However, the story is often performed as a play during the holiday season, and this shorter version will serve well as an introduction to children prior to a performance or as a read-aloud for the family gathered around the Christmas tree. Cornell's distinctive, loose watercolors add humorous details.The full-length novel better conveys the complex narrative, but this picture-book version makes the basic story easily accessible to all. Final art not seen.(Picture book. 4-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
