The Littlest Angel [Hardcover]

Charles Tazewell (Author), Paul Micich (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Exquisite edition of one of the bestselling children's books of all time. An American Bookseller Pick of the LIsts

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The board book edition of The Littlest Angel pares back Charles Tazewell's text for the 1946 original, about a cherub and his present to the Son of God; illustrated with new, cartoonlike watercolors by Rebecca Thornburgh. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Board book edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?First released in book form in 1946, this story has since appeared in numerous editions. It tells of a small angel who simply can't get with the program no matter how hard he tries until an understanding elder realizes that he is homesick and is able to retrieve a box of his most treasured possessions from "back home." When it comes time for Jesus to be born on Earth, the Littlest Angel gives his precious box to the Baby, but he is worried that God will think his gift too humble. However, God is pleased indeed, and transforms the box into the Star of Bethlehem. The writing style is rather ornate and full of grandiose words and phrases, but some children will love to hear it read aloud. The oil paintings are muted and full of texture, and not at all sentimental. The celestial choir is multicultural, and the Littlest Angel has red shorts peeking out of his robe. Paul Micich's version (Ideals, 1991) has a glossier "greeting-card" look. This reincarnation of the story will be as popular as its predecessors.?EM
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Ideals Children's Books; 1St Edition edition (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824985168
• ISBN-13: 978-0824985165
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic Christmas story., May 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Littlest Angel (Hardcover)

This children's book about a young angel in heaven has long been regarded as a classic. It is one of the all-time best sellers of children's books here in the U.S. The story was read over the radio and I heard it as a child in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The little angel, who is acting like all little boys, has to come up with a present for the newly born baby Jesus. It is a beautiful Christmas story and every mischievous boy can relate to this littlest angel. I really find it hard to understand to understand the comments of the 1998 reviewer from Oroville. All children who have to provide gifts for friends or relatives have a hard time coming up with ideas. The littlest angel is no different.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Christmas Tradition, January 30, 2004

By 

K. A. Kinney Mullin (Auckland, NZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Littlest Angel (Board book)

I got this book as a Christmas present when I was about 6, and I loved it! My edition of the book has a crimson cover, and the little angel looks like a small blond boy in a pair of light blue footie-pyjamas. I often re-read the book until I was about 9 or 10 and moved on to more big-kid stories.
Now that I am a mother (with a small blond boy who looks a lot like the angel) I've rediscovered the book. What a truly wonderful story. And, just like my mother, I end up reading the last few pages in tears!
I truly don't understand the reviewers who criticized the metaphysics of the book or the "$2 words". First of all, it's a STORY -- a fable -- an allegory. Save the arguments about the origin of angels until your child is in college majoring in theology or philosophy. Main point of the book is -- you are loved as you are, and the best gift is one that is given with love and from the heart.
About the "$2 words" -- how else will a child expand his vocabulary unless he encounters $2 words? Read the book as it is written, and answer the child's question when he says "Mommy, what's deportment?" It's that simple.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Child's Purity of Heart, November 17, 2000

By 

Paul S. Brewer "Paolo of USA" (Grand Rapids, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Littlest Angel (Library Binding)

In response to the reviewer from Oroville, CA, who gave this book a low rating, I offer this: I think he made the mistake of seeing The Littlest Angel's Heaven as a place where there could never be any fear or suffering. The author allowed this human reality to enter Heaven with The Littlest Angel so that all of the complacent angels (but really all complacent people on earth) could be reminded that the most angelic being is the innocent one who gives what he or she loves to others and not what she or he hopes will impress others. The metaphor is perfect: wouldn't it be just like God to teach us all that those among us who are thought of (and think of themselves) as the lowest in importance and stature are actually in His heart those who are the most pure? And how could that be taught more profoundly than to let everyone see a little child, with all of his or her fears and sorrows, lovingly comforted and lovingly validated by God? In my opinion, "The Littlest Angel" is the most beautiful, meaningful, and touching Christmas story ever written.