As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
32 pp.
| Kane Miller
| December, 2021
|
TradeISBN 978-1-68464-224-3$12.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Karin Littlewood.
Author and illustrator imagine a small addition to the Nativity story: young Leah, who meets Joseph and Mary, arriving in Bethlehem for the census, after getting an unfortunate kick from their donkey. Leah's father is the innkeeper who finds room for the family in the stable. Otherwise, the story proceeds according to the Gospel of Luke, with Leah a helpful but theologically unobtrusive presence. Realistic watercolors capture both tenderness and drama.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2021
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Will Moses.
Folk artist Moses (Grandma's great-grandson) uses the first two and a half verses of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" as the text for his depiction of the Nativity story. The homespun quality of the oil paintings serves the tale well, with the manger a warm and comfortably crowded birthplace for the Baby Jesus. Although the carol gets a little abstract from the third verse on (all four verses are appended, along with a simple choral arrangement), Moses follows the Holy Family on their successful journey out of Bethlehem, the star still shining above.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2021
32 pp.
| Simon
| September, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-6652-4$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-6654-8$10.99 Reissue (1983, Putnam)
(2)
K-3
DePaola distills the Nativity story of the Three Wise Men in this gorgeous book first published in 1983, the sumptuous acrylic paintings glowing with blues, greens, and pinks. A brief text follows kings Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar as they discover and follow a new, unfamiliar star; consult with the malign Herod; proceed to Bethlehem to deliver their gifts to the baby Jesus; and then, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, return to their home countries. An informative note describes the evolution of the story, beginning with its first, detail-less written account in the Gospel of Matthew (the names and number of the Wise Men were added later). A welcome reissue of another title in dePaola's copious Christmas oeuvre.
32 pp.
| Flyaway
| September, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-947-88812-8$18.00
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lisa Aisato.
This is a lyrical meditation on Christ's birth, told by His mother Mary as the newborn sleeps in her arms. "Can you believe it? God's anointed one upon my breast, with milk, just there, at the corner of his tiny mouth." Although unduly ponderous for a picture-book audience, the text reads aloud beautifully, and the watery, speckled illustrations convey the humble humanity of mother and Child alike.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
32 pp.
| Quarto/Lincoln
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-78603-066-5$15.99
(2)
PS
With gouache paintings rendered into collagelike illustrations via Photoshop, Hawthorne's version of the Christmas carol notably features Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as a brown-skinned family. The text includes all three verses of John Freeman Young's English translation, thoughtfully divided and carefully placed. The figure and animal drawing is supple, with good contrast between the black and midnight-blue sky, the angels' white wings, and the delicate coloring of textiles.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2018
32 pp.
| WorthyKids
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8249-5680-6$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Alessia Trunfio.
The story of Jesus's resurrection on Easter morning is told in the style of "The House That Jack Built." The rhyming text and predictable pattern make this an engaging read-aloud for religious settings. The full-spread illustrations are luminous and purple-hued (the color traditionally associated with the Passion of Christ). Bible verses from the Gospel according to John begin and end the book.
(3)
YA
Grieving his sister's death by suicide, proud grammar-nerd Nick is sent by his parents to "Jesus camp," where he encounters a variety of preposterous tactics and regulations--and the pesky ghost of Jack Kerouac. Nick is a sympathetic character, and although the camp and staff are portrayed in a broadly satirical way, Nick and his fellow campers' struggles are depicted with intimacy and compassion.
32 pp.
| NorthSouth
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7358-4325-7$17.95
(4)
K-3
An orphan drummer boy gives the gift of music to the newborn king. This version of the Nativity story isn't set in Bethlehem, however, but in what looks like a Germanic village in winter. The snow-dusted landscape in a pastel palette evokes a picturesque scene, but the winter setting for the well-known story seems incongruous. Information about the Grimm brothers is mistakenly appended.
32 pp.
| Simon
| November, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-7763-5$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-7764-2 Reissue (1980, Harcourt)
(2)
K-3
When a splendid procession led by the three Wise Men passes by Old Befana's house, she attempts to catch up. She never does--but is transformed into a Christmastime visitor who leaves gifts for children and sweeps their rooms clean. DePaola's ink and watercolor illustrations use flowing lines and glowing colors to propel the story (based on Italian legend) and attract the eye.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
December, 1980;
November, 2017
24 pp.
| Feiwel
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-12793-8$7.99 New ed. (2016)
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
William Low.
This new board-book edition retains all the quiet reverence of the original picture book, a very simple yet lyrical retelling of the Nativity story. The smaller trim size does not detract from the luminous illustrations that perfectly match the text, which directs listeners to "welcome this tiny baby boy. / Feel this hush. / This peace on Earth. / This first Christmas night."
40 pp.
| Tyndale
| July, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4964-1814-2$14.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Annabel Tempest.
As the title suggests, this picture book attempts to explain Christian theology using four words: "Wow" (the Creation), "Uh oh" (the Fall), "Yes" (Jesus' life and resurrection), and "Ahh" (human redemption through Christ). The stilted rhyming text may require some additional explication, but the bright, cartoony illustrations--especially closing spreads depicting an idyllic, multicultural New Creation--make the message seem inviting. Suggested Scripture passages appended.
24 pp.
| Abrams
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2307-0$19.95
(3)
K-3
Selecting relevant sections of medieval and Renaissance paintings and pairing them with the story of Christ's birth as told in the stately language of Isaiah and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke from the King James Bible, the Met has created a handsome gift book. On glossy paper, the large reproductions sometimes bleed across the gutter and small vignettes are placed above the text.
64 pp.
| Sparkhouse
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5064-2500-9$19.99
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jemima Maybank.
An informative and sometimes irreverent look at life and religion in the years when Jesus lived. Two-page spreads describe details about housing, clothing, transportation, work, religious practices, and punishment (multiple forms of crosses used in crucifixion are shown). While the print is small, the many illustrations, maps, diagrams, and charts should keep readers engaged. The absence of references and an index is unfortunate.
40 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-7041-4$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-7042-1
(2)
PS
Rylant uses the most humble of painting techniques to illustrate a picture book that is half Nativity, half Beatitudes. Adapted and abridged from Matthew and Luke, the medley isn't particularly coherent, but the pictures, setting bits and blobs of naively conceived sheep and people against expansive landscapes rendered in broad strokes, are homely in the best sense, providing calm and quiet to the season.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
32 pp.
| Minedition
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-988-8341-51-1$9.99 New ed. (2013)
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Feridun Oral.
An owl describes how Baby Jesus bestowed upon the birds a "special song of blessing, of joy and good will." "'Why don't we sing it anymore?' asked the robin. 'People don't listen,' said the partridge." The birds decide to restore their song's hope and promise by singing to children. In this small-trim edition, delicate naturalistic illustrations capture the hush of winter and the transformative power of love.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
32 pp.
| Minedition
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-988-8341-26-9$17.99
(4)
K-3
Translated by Kathryn Bishop.
Elschner's retelling of the Epiphany story (with its yearly celebration detailed on the last page) focuses on the Magi and their journey to and gifts for the "new-born king." Children might require additional context to connect this to the Nativity story (Jesus is unmentioned by name). The various handsome Renaissance images may require adult elaboration, as they don't always clearly illuminate the meaning of the poetic text.
40 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-237986-3$17.99 New ed. (1952, Crowell)
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Anna Dewdney.
First published in 1952, Brown's simple rhyming couplets tell the Nativity story as a baby is welcomed by a barn full of animals. Dewdney's new illustrations for this edition, created using oil paint, pastel, pencil, and marker, are more blurry than gauzy, with a muddy contrast between light and dark colors on many of the double-page spreads.
Reviewer: Gail Hedges
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
December, 1952
32 pp.
| Feiwel
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-08102-5$16.99
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
William Low.
Direct-address text pulls listeners into this super-simple yet lyrical retelling of the Nativity story: "See this small gray donkey, / this long, dusty road, / this promising star... Hear these angels singing. / Welcome this tiny baby boy." Illustrations perfectly match the text, evoking the humble setting yet also reinforcing the sense of reverence and import. A moving and memorable Christmas story.
40 pp.
| Abrams
| February, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-1899-1$18.95
(3)
K-3
Hendrix retells the life of Jesus with material gathered from all four Gospels. Dynamic hand-lettering and finely detailed, cartooned (and non–Western idealistic) pen-and-ink, acrylic-wash art helps tell the story. As explained in the author's note, Hendrix interprets his material freely, making literary choices that veer far from the original source.
48 pp.
| Tyndale
| July, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4964-1119-8$14.99
(4)
K-3
Flipside Stories series.
Illustrated by
Lisa Manuzak.
The story of the sinning tax collector, whose soul is saved by Jesus, is told in two stilted rhyming narratives. Mid-book, the reader is asked to "flip" the book to "take another look" at the story: one is from the perspective of Zacchaeus, the other from Jesus'; it's an effective gimmick for the book's purpose. Bright cartoon-style illustrations depict people of many skin tones.