A Northern Nativity [Paperback]

William Kurelek (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

Artist William Kurelek created this uniquely moving book on the theme that Christ came to all people everywhere. What would happen if He came now? A boy imagines that the nativity takes place in northern snows. He dreams that the Christ child is born to Eskimos, to Indians, to Blacks, that the Nativity takes place in a fisherman’s hut, a garage, a cowboy’s barn, that the holy family is given refuge in a city mission, a grain barn, and a country school. A beautiful holiday story for all generations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“(An) overwhelmingly moving and beautiful book.…A timeless treasure.”
–Publishers Weekly

From the Inside Flap

Artist William Kurelek created this uniquely moving book on the theme that Christ came to all people everywhere. What would happen if He came now? A boy imagines that the nativity takes place in northern snows. He dreams that the Christ child is born to Eskimos, to Indians, to Blacks, that the Nativity takes place in a fisherman?s hut, a garage, a cowboy?s barn, that the holy family is given refuge in a city mission, a grain barn, and a country school. A beautiful holiday story for all generations.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books; 2 edition (September 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887760996
• ISBN-13: 978-0887760990
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Holidays > General
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Religions > Inspirational
  • #80 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Religious

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish my kids were little again..., December 8, 2008

By 

Wesley Clark (Springfield, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Northern Nativity (Paperback)

...because if they were I'd buy this book and make a tradition out of reading to them every Christmas. Offbeat and moving; I've never seen a Christmas book quite like this one. Fanciful and thought-provoking.

Not to seem patronizing, but ever since I discovered SCTV I have come to admire Canadians and Canadian art... I characterize some Canadian work as American hipness or trendiness mixed with a strong British literary and arts tradition. And then there's Neil Young and Joni Mitchell... Canadians have a unique voice on the world arts stage.

By the way, I have also read Kurelek's "Prairie Boy" works...also excellent. But this one stands out. Very recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One-of-a-kind view of the birth of Christ, June 7, 2004

By 

Chara "charasketchnbc" (Eastern Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Northern Nativity (Hardcover)

There is a blend of spiritual, surreal, emotional and artistic aspects in Mr. Kurelek's "dream" series, illustrating how it would be if Jesus were to be born in different settings in the farth North instead of the historical Bethlehem. Canadians should buy this book for their American friends and relations, especially (but not only) those with young children. Though seen through distinctly Canadian eyes, these visions have universal appeal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Northern Nativity, January 5, 2004

By 

Agnes Craig (Victoria, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Northern Nativity (Paperback)

This is one of my favourite Christmas books. I have used it many times in children's story times,selecting several of the stories and in one case using it as the basis for a Christmas play. I hope we were not breaking any copyrite laws. I don't know why this book is not more popular.It has a wonderful story to tell of a young Ukrainian boy's dreams about how the nativity of the Christ Child could be repeated in many northern settings including a trapper's cabin and a railway car. The paintings are delightful and are distinctively Canadian.I hope this book will become more popular. It is already a Canadian classic!