Customer Reviews

A Child Was Born: A First Nativity Book

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It is too short of a story it really doesn't say that this is the Baby Jesus being born . I was disappointed oin it

This rhymning story keeps my 2-1/2 yr. old grand-daughter entertained and give me an opportunity to talk about the birth of Jesus. It's short, entertaining and she even like to "read" it to us!

However, I was expecting the book to be in better condition. It stated "good" and I guess my definition of good is different. While it was not damaged, I was expecting to be in a less "used" condition, and I didn't see an option to buy it new, probably because it's published by Scholastics. While I couldn't use it as a gift, it works well for storytime and bedtime.

Now is the time to share with your young children the story of Jesus' birth. A Child Was Born: A First Nativity Book, written by Grace Maccarone and illustrated by Sam Williams, tells the story of Jesus' birth. Written in rhyme, the short verses introduce young children to the New Testament story.

Here's a sample:
Mary and Joseph
arrived at night,
in a city asleep
and locked up tight.

Short verses, like this one, relate the events of that blessed night: Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem (although the city's name is never mentioned); Jesus' birth in the stable; the Angels announcing the birth to the Shepherds; and the Wise Men bearing gifts.

The watercolor illustrations are kid-friendly, with amusing animals and charming, cherubic angels.

What I Like: I like the short verses and the illustrations. The illustrations will capture a child's attention and the short verses will keep them interested.

What I Dislike: I'm not a big fan of rhyming picture books because it's so difficult to make the rhyme natural and keep the rhythm smooth. The rhythm in this book is erratic and the rhyme schemes are forced at times. For example, the author uses the word "him" to rhyme with "inn." Fortunately, the verses are short. And, a young child won't notice that everything doesn't rhyme properly.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 2-5.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

This is a sweet and simple story with a nice rhyming scheme. It is just right for my preschoolers, and even my kindergartener still enjoys it. The pictures are soft and colorful with nice details such as a dog chasing a boy and tiny angels with the announcement of the birth to the shepherds. I like how it includes the wise men and the tax that Joseph had to pay. We love it. Thanks to the writer and illustrator.

This rhyming retelling of the Christmas story is appealing to young children. It includes a surprising amount of detail from the Biblical account and explains the significance of "This Child ... come to save the earth." The illustrations are gentle yet clear, and feature a dark-haired Mary and Joseph.