Christmas Is Here [Hardcover]

Adapted From The King James Bible (Author), Lauren Castillo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 5, 2010 | Age Range: 3 and up

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

Audiences from religious and secular worlds alike are familiar with the comforting words from the second chapter of Luke in the King James Bible, most memorably featured in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Just as Linus reminded his community of the real meaning of Christmas, this touching tribute to an ancient text reminds us to focus on family and our fellow man instead of on gifts and indulgences. Accompanying the timeless, reassuring text is sweet, nostalgic artwork from acclaimed illustrator Lauren Castillo that embraces today’s ever-changing definition of family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3–The only text in this book is a few sentences from the King James Bible, and many of the ink and watercolor illustrations, in soothing tones of brown and gray with bold outlines, are wordless. They show a modern family–mom, dad, babe in arms, and dog-walking child–out for a stroll on a snowy evening, when they come across a small, outdoor Christmas pageant. As the child peers into the manger, readers are taken back in time to Bethlehem, with illustrations of sheep grazing over a dry Middle Eastern landscape as the shepherds learn of the birth of Jesus. As light from the star streams down over the holy family and shepherds leaning over the manger, the scene switches with a turn of the page back to the modern family singing carols in the snow in front of the manger. The theme–that the most basic meaning of Christmas has remained the same over the centuries–is conveyed with a warm and captivating simplicity that even the youngest child will understand.Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Lauren Castillo is the illustrator of several wonderful picture books including What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins and That's Papa's Way by Kate Banks. Her books have received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442408227
• ISBN-13: 978-1442408227
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,014,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren Castillo grew up in small town Maryland, but now spends her time in the bustling borough of Brooklyn, New York, writing and illustrating books for children. She likes exploring the city, daydreaming in parks, doodling in cafes, and spying cute dogs on the street. Visit her website at www.laurencastillo.com and her blog at laurencastillo.blogspot.com. Drop by and say "hello" any time!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of our favorite Christmas picture books September 25, 2011

By Brimful Curiosities

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Castillo merges past with present in "Christmas is Here." She tells the Christmas story starting in the present time with a family that goes to see a live Nativity. As the little child in the story peers over the crib and looks down on baby Jesus the focus changes and the following pages powerfully depict the Biblical text taken directly from the King James Bible about the shepherds and angels and the birth of Jesus, the passages of Luke 2:8-14. In the end, as the text tells of the armies of heaven praising God, Castillo takes readers back to the present day with a gorgeous illustration showing the family and others gathered around the live Nativity as they join in the chorus of praise.

"Christmas is Here" ranks high on my list of favorite children's Christmas picture books, and I suspect that it will become a staple in home libraries in the years to come. Both young and old can find meaning in the story and the illustrations make the Biblical text very accessible to younger children without having an unrealistic, childish cuteness like so many other versions. I'm particularly impressed with the detail and magnitude surrounding the angel's visit to the shepherds. Castillo effectively shows their surprise and shock and joy. The manger scene glows with a magnificent warmth, and I especially love the quaint rural setting of the live Nativity. This inspiring book truly helps families focus on the real meaning of Christmas, and I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful focus on Jesus' Birth December 17, 2010

By aeldridge

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a refreshing book to find at Christmastime, when it seems that all around are books about Santa and reindeer. I love that the text is directly from the Bible, and kept very simple. The illustrations tell the story so well for readers, and the first few pages are without text.

Christmas is Here is a new favorite in our home and will be enjoyed for years. Highly Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction to the Christmas Story December 16, 2010

By J. Prather TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

With text taken directly from the Bible, Christmas Is Here is the perfect introduction to the Christmas Story for very young children. I loved how the illustrator included a contemporary family in the story, and the picture of the young boy peering over the cradle to look at the Baby Jesus was certainly the highlight for me. The art is very simple and accessible to youngsters, done in natural colors. This is just a straightforward telling that is sure to become a family treasure and a great way to bring this story to life for a new generation. Recommended.