The Best Christmas Pageant Ever [Paperback]

Barbara Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-This beloved classic by Barbara Robinson (HarpCollins, 1972) about six very unruly children who teach a whole church about the true meaning of the birth of Christ is brought to life by the narrator, C. J. Critt. By using only her voice, she gives each character its own personality. With slight voice inflections and gentle changes in the pacing of the narration, she gives listeners a real understanding of the story. While the pacing of the narration is at times a little fast during the body of the text, the pauses at commas, periods and between paragraphs are longer than normally heard in general conversation. While this doesn't distract from the pleasure of just listening to the story, it will cause some problems if used as a read-a-long with older students. Due to the subject matter, public school libraries will find its uses limited. Since the book and the TV movie are so popular, public libraries will find a built in audience.

Ann West LaPrise, Detroit Public Library, MI

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

"One of the best Christmas books ever." -- Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First edition (June 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064402754
• ISBN-13: 978-0064402750
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Christmas
  • #58 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Classics
  • #69 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Christmas

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Christmas Book Ever, July 11, 2002

By 

R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Paperback)

Here's a simple, enchanting tale. It's warm and funny and thoroughly unpredictable. It's published in a short and skinny book in large type and, assuming you can tear yourself away from the story, it can be read in small spurts.

The Herdmans are absolutely and without question the worst kids "in the entire history of the world." They are guilty of evey unmentionable childhood crime and have thought of more than a few original ones. When they take over the church Christmas pageant (although none of them has ever attended church, much less heard the Christmas story before), the first Christmas becomes new and real in some pretty surprising ways.

Nevermind that the publishers call this a children's story. It isn't. The vision it has to offer is hilarious yet deeply touching in a profound yet innocent way.

Stock up on copies for Christmas gifts to teachers and friends. I'd give one to the friend who wails that Christmas has become too commercial or to the harried mother of a lively brood or to someone who dreads the holiday. And keep one for yourself because it's almost as much fun each time you read it.

Merry Christmas!

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great joys of motherhood--, November 22, 2000

By 

Catherine J Mincy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Paperback)

is the opportunity to revisit your childhood.

First, Dr. Suess, then The Saggy Baggy Elephant, and now the Herdmans.

I have loved reading since I was five years old. One of my most important goals is to pass that love of books on to my two daughters. I'm no expert, but sharing books that make me happy with them seems to be a good way to start.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a story about THOSE kids. You know--the ones you avoid sitting next to at Pizza Hut. The ones who show up at church once or twice a quarter, when someone brings them. The ones you feel sorry for but secretly compare to your own kids to make yourself feel good about how well-mannered, smart, attractive your kids are.

THOSE kids, the Herdmans, show us that Christmas isn't just about our own families and our safe, secure homes, but about THOSE kids--the unwanted, nasty, obnoxious, dirty kids with whom we don't want our kids associating.

The point of the story is that we should open our eyes and see them as Jesus saw the little children and open our heart to love even the barely lovable.

This story is one that will grow with your children. As they mature, you can help them get more and more out of this story. It's definitely a repeat from one holiday season to the next. I would recommend getting the hardback version so that it will last longer.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for all ages!, December 6, 1999

By 

P. O'Kray (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Paperback)

My Dad and his wife sent my family this book for Christmas one year, and I read it at bedtime to my 7 year old son and 9 year old daughter. Although we were only going to read a chapter every night, they begged me to keep reading, and I didn't want to stop, either. The Herdman children give us a fresh perspective on the traditional Christmas story, and show us that anyone can be touched by the true meaning of Christmas. A story that young and old can relate to, it made us all laugh and some of us cry. I plan to read this book every year,out loud. A wonderful, touching story. Only one word of warning - there are a handful of "naughty" words in this story, since the Herdman children are a bit rude. You can substitute something more suitable as you read to children, but don't pass by this great story because of it.