Bright Christmas : An Angel Remembers [Paperback]

Andrew Clements (Author), Kate Kiesler (Illustrator), Kate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Retells the story of the Nativity from an angel's point of view and tells how Earth was made ready for that one special, glorious evening.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A wise angel who has seen it all delivers an anecdotal account of the night that was "different from all the others?ever," the night that "the great truth came to the earth once and for all." In the voice of a seasoned spinner of yarns, Clements (Temple Cat) imagines a heavenly perspective on the birth of Jesus. The clever and colloquial text incorporates angel appearances from several Bible stories and hints at what it might feel like to be such a religious messenger. Kiesler's (Grandfather's Christmas Camp) soft oil paintings set the scene for biblical events with canvases of blue-black starlit nights and vast expanses of golden Middle Eastern desert. A few aerial perspectives bolster the premise of the text. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. A lovely blend of words and pictures presents the Christmas story from an angel's point of view. Daring in its attempt to explain the idea of eternity, the book rises above the mediocre as an angel explains how the supernatural has interacted with the real world to bring truth. The angel remembers events on Earth leading up to the Nativity, but he explains that in heaven, where there is no time, it is eternally the first Christmas night. Kiesler's illustrations provide a subtext to this difficult concept. Her pleasing palette, suffused with light, ranges from the golden tones of the desert to the bluish hues of dusk. Doves, found among clouds, as shadows cast in the sand, represented by feathers adrift on the wind, or on a pendant around Mary's neck, constitute a playful motif. A fine choice despite the recent glut of books on the subject of angels. Shelley Townsend-Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (September 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618051538
• ISBN-13: 978-0618051533
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,614,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review from ALA's BOOKLIST magazine, Sept 1, 1996, August 29, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers (Hardcover)

Ages 5-8. A lovely blend of words and pictures presents the Christmas story from an angel's point of view. Daring in its attempt to explain the idea of eternity, the book rises above the mediocre as an angel explains how the supernatural has interacted with the real world to bring truth. The angel remembers events on Earth leading up to the Nativity, but he explains that in heaven, where there is no time, it is eternally the first Christmas night. Kiesler's illustrations provide a subtext to this difficult concept. Her pleasing palette, suffused with light, ranges from the golden tones of the desert to the bluish hues of dusk. Doves, found among clouds, as shadows cast in the sand, represented by feathers adrift on the wind, or on a pendant around Mary's neck, constitute a playful motif. A fine choice despite the recent glut of books on the subject of angels. -Shelley Townsend-Hudso

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Uneven pictures, uneven theology, December 6, 2007

By 

Dr. Peter A. Kwasniewski (Lander, Wyoming) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bright Christmas : An Angel Remembers (Paperback)

The artwork is uneven--some good and some bad, but also anachronistic (Mary wearing a dove necklace!) despite the fact that they claim to have researched the times. Parts of the story are good, recalling prophecies and the preparation for the Messiah. But Jesus is just said to bring "the great truth"... which is what??? Nice and PC but not even Christian. There are plenty of other good children's christmas books out there. Keep looking.

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL, February 11, 2010

By 

C. W. Ramsey (NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bright Christmas : An Angel Remembers (Paperback)

I love this book. Beautiful illustrations & sweet telling of Christmas story. Get one for you & buy another to give as a gift! It has been a favorite at our house for many years now. We have purchased many other books over the years but this is still the favorite!