The Nativity [Paperback]

Julie Vivas (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

In this beautiful book, warm and whimsical illustrations accompany excerpts from the King James Version of the Bible to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. “Vivas’ delicate, sure watercolors are a reminder that the humbleness of these people made the event more extraordinary--that the story is not only about the long ago and far away but about people with familiar joys and troubles.”--Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The words of the New Testament story of Jesus's birth are delivered with complete sobriety: Gabriel gives Mary the news that she will bear a child, she and Joseph go off to Bethlehem, shepherds and wealthy men pay homage to the child in the manger. But Gabriel wears unlaced, clumsy work boots and delivers his message over coffee or soup at Mary's kitchen table, and when there is no room at the inn, the rest of the town's visitors deck themselves out in a tree and snooze in stairwells. Vivas irreverently unravels the mystique of the famous birth, showing a bulgingly pregnant Mary and first glimpses of a child barely out of the womb. Also a part of this mad charm is an elegant mastery of form; wispy, glimmering watercolors show comic characters in the midst of grand events. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The words of the New Testament story of Jesus's birth are delivered with complete sobriety: Gabriel gives Mary the news that she will bear a child, she and Joseph go off to Bethlehem, shepherds and wealthy men pay homage to the child in the manger. But Gabriel wears unlaced, clumsy work boots and delivers his message over coffee or soup at Mary's kitchen table, and when there is no room at the inn, the rest of the town's visitors deck themselves out in a tree and snooze in stairwells. Vivas irreverently unravels the mystique of the famous birth, showing a bulgingly pregnant Mary and first glimpses of a child barely out of the womb. Also a part of this mad charm is an elegant mastery of form; wispy, glimmering watercolors show comic characters in the midst of grand events. Ages 4-8.
(Publishers Weekly )

With a brief text excerpted from Luke. a celebration of the love, joy, and humanity of Jesus' birth. Vivas - a much-honored Australian illustrator - depicts the holy family (and even the angels) as earthy peasants, their emotions expressed in broad gestures. Mary and Gabriel, his wings tattered and his shoes unlaced, huddle together over a kitchen table, intent on the awesome news. Joseph stuggles to hoist his well-rounded bride aboard the donkey, and she shares the triumph of his success; he cradles the new-born baby in a cherishing embrace while the exhausted mother slumps affectionately against him. Doubtless this will prove controversial, but these figures of indeterminate race - who might be found in any of the world's teeming cities - are depicted with reverence and great dignity. Vivas' delicate, sure watercolors are a reminder that the humbleness of these people made the event more extraordinary - that the story is not only about the long ago and far away but about people with familiar joys and troubles. (Kirkus Reviews )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (October 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152001174
• ISBN-13: 978-0152001179
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,638,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my favourite children's book of all time., July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Nativity (Paperback)

I 'discovered' this wonderful depiction of the Christmas story when I first came to work in a primary school library, way back in 1987. A copy of the book has now become one of my treasures at home and I have purchased several copies for friends. Surely there is no other nativity story book that so clearly shows the human side of the young mother and I believe that children can relate more readily to the characters when they are drawn with such a great sense of humour. I do have to admit though that the angel is my favourite!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Christmas books around., December 17, 2001

By 

slomamma (San Luis Obispo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nativity (Paperback)

For some odd reason, children's books based on the Bible often bring out the worst in illustrators. I've seen more bad drawing, syrupy expressions and cloying colors in illustrated Bible stories than in any other kind of children's book. That's why this book is literally a God send. The lovely King James text might normally be a little over the heads of the 4 to 8 year olds this book is aimed at, but Julie Vivas' illustrations bring it to life and make it something any child will want to hear again and again and again. I've read it for years to both of my children, as well as in classrooms, and it is always a huge hit. From angels with rainbow colored wings and army boots (a few of them riding the shepherds' sheep) to the crowds in Bethlehem literally dripping from the trees, this book is a delight. It's hilarious, but also very moving. One of my favorite pictures in the book is of the enormously pregnant Mary gazing at her belly in delight. And my six-year-old daughter adores the wide-eyed baby Jesus. If you only buy one Christmas picture book, this is the one to get.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, human presentation of Christ's birth., December 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Nativity (Paperback)

The Illustrations by Ms Vivas bring to life the story of the birth of Jesus. Her touching art work brings to life the nativity story within a very human framework. I have personally given many copes of this book for gifts to friends. It is always well received, especially by adults.