The King's Christmas List
by: Eldon Johnson
Picture Book
A Nice Story (that's One Big Advertisement)
I liked the message to children that Christmas is not about getting gifts, and I liked how it emphasized that whatever you do to the least of these is a gift to Jesus. I thought it fell short in that it never mentioned Gods gift to us (salvation) and how that is the best gift ever. The book also felt a little cheapened by feeling like an advertisement at the end where it leads into two organizations you can give to to help others in need. Not that I have a problem with the organizations (I've given to World Vision before) but it felt a little gimmicky. Overall, though, still a good reminder/lesson for all of us.
3 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
Danger on a Silent Night (an Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station book)
by: Marianne Hering and Nancy I. Sanders
Chapter Book
Good Retelling with an Important Message
I was quite nervous going into this book as I was unimpressed with Showdown with the Shepherd - the other retold Bible story for AIO Imagination Station series. In that story I felt that too many liberties had been taken & was concerned about what might be done to the birth of Jesus.
The book doesn't actually take place when Jesus is born (as the title seems to imply) but when the wise men arrive a little later.
I was very pleased with how the story was handled and that giving to the poor and your family are noted as acceptable & commendable ways to celebrate Jesus & share his love.
To my surprise, this is one of the best books in the series.
The larger than usual font, nice margins, simple language, and oversized illustrations make this book (& series) perfect for young readers. Recommend.
4 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
The Christmas Cat
by: MaryAnn Macdonald
Picture Book
Imaginative Retelling
An imaginative telling of a cat that became Jesus' pet the day he was born in the stable through his family's escape to Egypt. The author notes she was inspired to write the book from da Vinci's "La Madonna del Gatto" paintings. This telling is simple and short with good illustrations.
I love the way the book opens, "Jesus was beautiful, like all babies. And like all babies, he cried." For some reason there's this popular idea that since Jesus was perfect (sinless) that means he never cried & there were silent nights all around. I like that this book just states the simple truth.
As much as I love how the book opens, I don't like how it closes, "For of all the cats and children everywhere, they [Jesus and the cat] were meant for each other ... from the very first Christmas night, in the bright starlight." I just have a problem saying that the Savior of mankind was "meant for" a cat. It just rubs me the wrong way - especially since the story would have been nicely concluded without the inclusion of the quoted line.
Four stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
The Message of the Birds
by: Kate Westerlund
Picture Book
Disappointing
I was disappointed with this book. I know its a picture book (& the pictures are definitely the highlight of the work) but it seemed short to me. I was also disappointed in the message of the birds - for the peace on earth, goodwill to men is a message from God to man. Its a message of hope, of redemption. This story totally misses that & makes it about world peace. Yes, a parent can add to the story, but if people don't already know the Christmas story they will be mislead by its retelling here.
Story: 2 stars
Illustrations: 4 stars
Average: 3 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
The Crippled Lamb
by: Max Lucado
Board Book
Disappointing
Unlike others who give this book a low rating, my complaint isn't that the title calls the lamb "crippled" While I understand their concerns, it is a descriptive (accurate) word - it may not be ideal, but its also not a surprise since it's in the title.
Instead, my complaint is that this story seems a stretch - even for an imaginative retelling of the nativity. Mary & Joseph (I doubt) would talk of their son as the new king, nor would they say that he came from heaven to teach us...to a lamb no less! My biggest complaint, though, is that Mary tells the lamb that God heard the lamb's prayer & that the baby Jesus was the answer. Lambs don't pray!
I don't have a problem with making animals talk, but that just goes too far. Especially as the conclusion of the story is basically the lamb kept Jesus warm and that was the "special purpose" of his LIFE. I know its a child's board book, but that's just too simplistic for me & isn't what I want my children believing.
Obviously, many don't have a problem with the content, but I thought I'd voice my concerns in case there were others who with they had known this information before acquiring the book.
The accompanying illustrations are well done.
2 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
Baby's First Nativity
by: Muff Singer
Board Book
Surprisingly Accurate
The story isn't precisely accurate, but well done considering its for children in rhyme - I'm impressed they (accurately) have the wise men coming later & not at the stable. The cutout pages are only for the first few (not the whole book). There are "activities" on the bottom of the pages for your child to do, but nothing most parents probably wouldn't think of anyway (e.g. pretend to pack, pretend to look for a star, etc)
All in all this is a great book & introduction to the nativity story for children. Recommend.
4 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
Merry Creature Christmas!
by: Dandi Daley Mackall
Board Book
Content Disappointing
I was excited when I saw this book as I love Mackall's Backyard Horses & Winnie the Horse Gentler series. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to expectations.
My big disappointment is that the colt disobeys his mom & a does not get punished - instead she is proud of him! That is not a lesson I want my children to learn, and unfortunately it is key to the story.
Minor quibble: what is "Creature Christmas"? The animals sing praises to God & are celebrating Jesus' birth, isn't that just Christmas? Why add a word in front?
The illustrations are fine, and the rhyme cute, but because of the aforestated disappointment I cannot recommend this book.
I have not listened to the accompanying CD.
3 stars
To see other books in the #StorytimeChristmasCountdown Collection, click here.
