Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift [Hardcover]

Gloria Gaither (Author), Barbara Hranilovich (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

'He was just an ordinary baby That's the way he planned it, maybe...' In this heart-warming Christmas story, Gloria Gaither makes use of her song 'Ordinary Baby' as the basis to share the timeless truth of Jesus' birth and life. Written in a way that is simple and easy to understand, Ordinary Baby makes known the story of not just why Jesus came, but why he chose to come to earth as a baby. With its vibrant and engaging illustrations, Ordinary Baby is certain to become one of your child's most treasured books.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Gloria Gaither of the acclaimed Gaither Vocal Band is one of the best-known, best-loved songwriters in Christian music. Her songs include Broken and Spilled Out, Something Beautiful, I’ve Just Seen Jesus, and many others. Gloria Gaither is an award-winning lyricist, author, script writer, and recording artist with the celebrated Gaither Trio. She has created ten musicals for adults and children, and, with her husband, Bill, has written lyrics to over five hundred songs. The parents of three and grandparents of four, Gloria and her husband live in Alexandria, Indiana.

Barbara Hranilovich has been making art since she learned how to walk. A recipient of numerous awards for both fine art and commercial illustration, she has a home studio in Lansing, Michigan, where she lives with her husband and son

About the Author

Gloria Gaither is an award-winning lyricist, author, scriptwriter, former adjunct professor of songwriting at Anderson University, recording artist with the celebrated Gaither Trio for thirty years, mother, and grandmother. Gloria has written My Father's Angels and Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift for Zonderkidz, as well as Because He Lives, Let's Make a Memory, 365 Meditations for Mothers, What My Parents Did Right, and Let's Hide the Word, plus numerous magazine articles. Gloria and her husband, Bill, live in Alexandria, Indiana.

Barbara Hranilovich has been making art since she learned to walk. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her husband and son, where she works out of a studio in her home. Barbara has won numerous awards for both fine art and commercial illustration.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Har/Cas edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310230861
• ISBN-13: 978-0310230861
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gloria Gaither is an award-winning lyricist, author, scriptwriter, former adjunct professor of songwriting at Anderson University, recording artist with the celebrated Gaither Trio for thirty years, mother, and grandmother. Gloria has written My Father's Angels and Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift for Zonderkidz, as well as Because He Lives, Let's Make a Memory, 365 Meditations for Mothers, What My Parents Did Right, and Let's Hide the Word, plus numerous magazine articles. Gloria and her husband, Bill, live in Alexandria, Indiana.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells God's plan of redemption through Jesus, October 14, 2000

By 

Lisa McManis (Sunnyvale, CA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift (Hardcover)

I love this book! Instead of simply telling the familiar story of Jesus' birth, this book starts with Adam and Eve. Using plain words and ideas, "Ordinary Baby" tells the story of God's relationship with his creation, how is was broken, and how God sent Jesus to restore it.

Starting in the Garden, "...God and people were best friends. They were glad to see each other whenever they got together, and when they went for walks in the beautiful garden God had made, they laughed and told each other secrets..." Then comes the Fall "... the two people to break their promises to God and to ruin the wonderful friendship between the people and God".

The book then talks about how there were "special listeners" who could hear God trying to talk to people. "The listeners said God would send someone to introduce people to him again, so that God's people could get together with him in a place they called "God's kingdom."

Jesus finally comes as an ordinary baby, "...because no one would be afraid of a baby". "Like the first people in the garden, children and God would know each other...and not be afraid."

The illustrations in this book are lovely; colorful, open, inclusive. Although the book cover says ages 4 and up, it was my 8 year old who found this book and encouraged me to buy it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, May 14, 2005

By 

Lynne Chapman "lynnechapman.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift (Hardcover)

Making use of her song Ordinary Baby, Gloria Gaither not only tells the story of the birth of Christ but explains why it was necessary that He come, starting in the beginning of time in the garden. She goes on to explain the possible reason God came to us as a baby.
"That's the way he planned it, maybe, so that we would come to him and not be afraid."

The illustrator, Barbara Hranilovich's artwork is imaginative and beautifully colorful. She creates a fascinating portrayal of the character in each face - even the animals.

It is 40 lovely pages and includes an audio cassette

Children will love listening to the cassette when their parents aren't available to read to them. Also on the cassette is the song Ordinary Baby performed by a choir of sweet children's voices.

It is suggested for children, ages 4 to 8 but I think the parents and grandparents will love it too.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift but I have enjoyed it so much that I may have purchase another copy for the gift and keep this one for myself. It is a heart-warming Christmas story that is likely to become a family tradition. I think this is the perfect way to introduce a child to the gospel of Jesus Christ in a simple, easy to understand story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, December 7, 2011

By 

DawnC - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ordinary Baby, Extraordinary Gift (Hardcover)

I had this book years ago, before I had children of my own. When our first child was born, I started to search for it, but have not been able to find it through 2 moves in the past 7 years. I was delighted to find it on Amazon.com, and am eagerly awaiting its arrival, hopefully in time for Christmas. The artwork is wonderful, and the story is told so well, from a different perspective.