Customer Reviews

Angela and the Baby Jesus: (Children's Edition)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once more Frank McCourt has delved into his youth - or rather, his mother's - to write a terse, engaging Christmas saga which will remind readers of his Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angela's Ashes". Young Angela Sheehan is six years old, and wonders about the baby Jesus in his crib. This is yet another heart-felt, memorable tale from Frank McCourt that is replete with his crisp, lyrical prose. While I won't predict whether this will be a perennial favorite at Christmas, it should be a most delightful saga enjoyed by everyone this Christmas. The children's edition of "Angela and the Baby Jesus" features excellent art from illustrator Raul Colon; the adult edition features superbly executed illustrations from illustrator Loren Long. Without question, this wee book promises to be a favorite of McCourties (diehard fans of Frank McCourt) and of others interested in the McCourt family saga.

(EDITORIAL NOTE 7/23/09: Elsewhere online I posted this tribute to my favorite high school teacher, and I think it is worth noting here:

I've been fortunate to have had many fine teachers in high school, college and graduate school, but there was no one like Frank McCourt. Without a doubt, he was the most inspirational, most compelling, and the funniest, teacher I ever had. I am still grateful to him for instilling in me a life-long love of literature and a keen interest in writing prose. Am still amazed that he encouraged me to enter a citywide essay contest on New York City's waterfront, and would, more than a year later, in my senior yearbook acknowledge my second prize award by thanking me for winning him money (His was also, not surprisingly, the most eloquent set of comments I had inscribed in my yearbook from teachers.). He is gone now, but I am sure that for me, and for many of my fellow alumni of his Stuyvesant High School classes, he will live in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.)

Frank Mc Court never ceases to amaze and overwhelm us with his ability to take ordinary things and make them memorable and heart wrenching. Who would ever think that he would give us a Christmas story that would be so tender and captivating to young and old alike?
There are two editions of this tome.One a childrens,and the other an adult. My review is on the latter. They were illustrated by two different artists.In the descriptions of the book ,here at Amazon,there are notes with examples of the art in the two editions.Be sure you read them as they will further your appreciation of the art accompanying MCCourt's touching storytelling.
In Angela's Ashes we came to know her and and Frank's father and brother. But in this magic little story,we are introduced to Angela when she was a little girl of 7, her mother,her sister Aggie and brothers Pat and Tom.
Most stories of this type take place in the days leading up to Christmas or on Christmas Eve;but in this case it is later as the Baby Jesus has already arrived in the Manger in the Limmerick church that the family attended.
This is the type of story that will probably bear reading over and over again each Christmas.
I have not seen the Children's edition,but I will be anxious to.I am sure it will be worth seeing how Raul Colon portrays the scenes as well as Loren Long does.
The artwork in this little book complements the writing of McCourt;and to do such,is really saying something.
Although this is a small book of only 27 pages,but once you read it,I doubt if you will ever look upon the Baby Jesus in the Manger again,without this story coming to mind.

I purchsed this book for three of my great grandchildren. Their mother says they read it over and over again. The two older children read it to the youngest who is too young to read yet. But he claps his little hands in enjoyment. The life story of Frank McCourt is one of rags to riches. I have several of his books and find inspiration in each of them.
Parke C. Bogle

I bought Angela and the Baby Jesus for my three children (ages 2,2 and 4) with the intention of putting it away until they were older. Upon receiving it though, I was captured by the beautiful images on each page and felt compelled to read it to them. The story held the attention of all three girls and they asked for it again and again.

The story reads with warmth and humor and is a fabulous addition to any Christmas book collection.

Frank McCourt has taken a simple childhood memory and placed it into a story for young children, this Christmas. More than that, he has recalled an event that happened to his Mother when she was the little girl in this story. The illustrator, Raul Colon, uses watercolor of different shades, and uses a tool to strike some detail in the picture.

Six year old Angela would stop in church to visit the Christmas crib ; she noticed how cold it was in the church and felt sorry for the Baby Jesus. She wondered why no one thought to cover him with a blanket. Now, we know that the Jesus in the crib is a statue, and he probably wouldn't feel the cold, but Little Angela, having been cold,herself, knew how uncomfortable that could be. She wanted to do something for the Baby Jesus,and she did.

At first, she hid in the church confessional so that no one would notice her. She watched the old people praying for long periods; she thought that they should go home and have a cup of tea to warm themselves up. One day, she waited till everyone left, and though she knew that stealing was a bad thing, she decided to take care of the Baby Jesus. To her, the statue of Baby Jesus was real.

She looked at him smiling, with his arms out stretched, and she lifted him out and placed him under her coat, hoping to make him warm, as she ran all the way home. So that her Mom wouldn't notice, she decided to toss the Baby Jesus over the fence into her backyard, but the statue just didn't land where she wanted it to. She even spoke to the statue, "Will you help me, little Baby? Will you help me?" And then, the third time she tossed him over the fence, he landed in the yard of a blind woman, next door. Again,she talked to the statue, "Baby Jesus, I have a good mind to leave you there in Mrs. Blake's backyard.....You're not supposed to be flying around like an angel."

One last time, she picked him up and threw him into her own backyard, talking to him the whole time. When her brother came out the back door, she knew that no matter what he said, no one would believe him. Her brother, Pat told her that the Baby Jesus was to be sleeping in his crib in the church. All Angela could think of was keeping Baby Jesus warm.

When her brother told their Mom what she had done, her Mom thought she would just humor him, so they all went upstairs, and there, in her bed, was Baby Jesus, smiling, with his arms outstretched. Her Mom decided that they had to return the statue to the church. They all walked down to the church with their Mom, and were met at the church door by the priest and a policeman. The two men kind of teased her to put a little scare into her. It was when her brother Pat offered to take her place in jail, that the priest and the policeman softened their decision. The priest took the Baby Jesus out of Angela's arms and placed it in the crib, reassuring her that while we're away from the crib, Jesus' Mother makes sure that He is nice and warm.

I recall a Christmas when each of the children was given a small plastic Jesus resting in a half walnut shell,so they could keep Him warm....That happened three years ago. Little children are and will always be fascinated by Baby Jesus. Think of a time when you recall the first Baby Jesus in the crib that was in your childhood, and hold on to the memory.

This is one of those books which we will look forward to reading with our children every year. It is full of tradition, humor, and tenderness and is one both children and adults will very much enjoy. The illustrations are beautifully done, and the story is a touching, gentle reminder of the baby whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas.

This is one of those rare books which can take a busy day of shopping and errands, and put it in perspective. I too will never again look at a Nativity scene without thinking of the real baby it portrays, and how a little girl long ago wanted to take care of the baby Jesus she so loved. Mr. McCourt allows us to be inspired by the genuine love and compassion of the children who became his mother and uncle, and I hope their story will carry the same message into the hearts of my own children.

I ordered 2 books. Excellent condition. The story is a sweet story that Frank McCourt's mother,(the Angela in "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt) told him when he was a child. I used them for gifts. My grandchildren loved it, also. I had to read it over and over to the 6 year old.

We loved this story for its message about the real reason for the Christmas season. In today's culture of "political correctness" and not wanting to offend anyone that often is missing. The artwork is soft and beautiful. It will be a book that is set out for Christmas reading for many years to come.

This story is funny for adults and great for kids also. When you read it you almost automatically slip into an Irish brougue, due to the wording. The illustrations are nice, and it is a good Christmas story as it shows a proper reverence for the baby Jesus.

Enjoyed reading it to the grandchildren but pictures were a little dark for the younger ones.