The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas [Hardcover]

Brendan Powell Smith (Adapter, Author)

Book Description

Series: Brick Testament

With The Brick Testament: Stories from the Book of Genesis, Brendan Smith reimagined ten classic Bible stories using nothing but LEGO bricks -- and the results were praised by everyone from People and Entertainment Weekly to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (they've recommended the book to their entire congregation!). Publishers Weekly called it "hilarious" and wrote, "One rejoices that the franchise possibilities could extend for many years."
We couldn't agree more. Just in time for the holidays, Quirk Books is proud to present the best-known Bible story of all time: The Story of Christmas. Using verses from the New Testament and a series of elaborate LEGO dioramas, Smith illustrates the birth of Jesus Christ -- from his arrival in the manger to the wrath of King Herod and the famous visit from the three wise men. It's the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who celebrates Christmas!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans who loved Smith’s surprise hit The Brick Testament: Stories from the Book of Genesis or who have enjoyed his popular Web site (www.thebricktestament.com) will relish this curious take on the Christmas story. Wise men out of Legos? A grumpy Lego King Herod who looks as though he hasn’t slept in weeks? The book offers some hilarious sight gags; check out the fairy wings on the Angel Gabriel, or the rapidly protruding Lego shelf that is Mary’s belly. And when Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Ghost will come upon her, standing beside him is a friendly, smiling white ghost figure. Readers will be surprised to see some elements of the tale that are left out of the usual Hollywood renderings; Smith depicts the circumcision scene, for example, with Joseph standing over a very naked baby Jesus with a shiny dagger poised in an opportune spot. Despite the bemused, if cynical, tone that pervades the book, parents should note that not all of it is funny or suitable for small children. There’s a disturbing image of soldiers murdering a male child, per Herod’s decree, in front of his devastated mother; the background shows two decapitated children’s heads rolling in blood. Still, Brick Testament fans will delight in this fresh rendering of another biblical tale, and the book should win Smith some new followers as well.
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About the Author

Brendan Powell Smith exhibits his Lego artwork on his acclaimed website www.thebricktestament.com, which has received rave reviews from Time , Spin , National Public Radio, and The Church Times . He lives in Mountain View, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594740127
• ISBN-13: 978-1594740121
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the TRUE story of CHRISTMAS, November 29, 2004

By 

Super Jaxxon "It's SUPER!" (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas (Hardcover)

I have both of these books of lego illustrations and love them both.

These books are NOT satire! They are true, illustrated stories from the Bible. There's a difference between mocking something and being humorous, and I think the Brick Testament on the whole is very respectful of the Bible. I have no problem with illustrating the Holy Ghost in lego.

They're very faithful renditions of the words of the bible.

Yes, there is some blood - but how can you tell the TRUE story of christmas without Herod and the murdering of the firstborns? This isn't about Santa Claus and some commercialzed hijacking of the holiday. This is the true story of christmas, don't buy it if you're looking for rudolf and frosty.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny AND Educational Stocking Stuffer!, December 10, 2004

By 

Kathleen Mikulis (Millbrae, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas (Hardcover)

I just got my copy of "The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas," and really got a kick out of it. Smith is very creative, and I'm still amazed at how he was able to render objects in Lego (frankincense! stockings! a manger! a Christmas tree!). It's a great Christmas gift (it'll fit in a stocking, too!), and good for teaching kids about the real story of Christmas. Bundle this book with a Lego set and you have an awesome gift where they can be inspired to create their own stories in Lego. A budding Brendan Powell Smith, if you will.

Regarding the appropriateness of this book for a younger audience, I went to a Catholic primary school (1st-6th grades), and I can tell you that there is *nothing* in "The Story of Christmas" that wasn't taught to us there. I like the idea of the Holy Ghost being rendered as a smiling ghost, because what better literal representation is there for a child to understand?

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good News, February 13, 2007

By 

Jason Winningham - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas (Hardcover)

I'm sorry, but I must disagree with the reviewer below (Joshua C. Ternes "Good Guy")...this is not a waste of talent - it is a full embracing of talent. Not only is this book exceptionally well-photographed, it speaks the wonderful truth of the Bible. It is indeed not for children, any more than ANY visual re-telling of the Gospel would be, because the gospel has tragic events in it. But this book is an excellent tool for spreading the word. One can easily purchase a book for the purpose of handing it to someone who doesn't completely know the Gospel, and it will ensure that they read it.

For those that are not believers, they tend to not WANT to hear anything about the gospel (for numerous reasons), and this humorous - attractive - telling of the gospel breaks that barrier nicely.

I challenge the other Reviewer for Biblical basis against that.
I ask Joshua C. Ternes what he has done that has spread the good news so far?