Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Sally Lloyd-Jones (Author), Alison Jay (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2011 | Age Range: 4 - 7 years

The skies shouted it to the seas that thundered it to the waves that roared it to the great white whales that sang it to the starfish in the deep. And tiny sandpipers danced it on shining sands... 'It's time! It's time!' On one quiet night, creation whispered a secret. Grass and bees, robins and trees all spread the word. Sheep told their young while angels sang the song to the shepherds. Hushed news of a miracle echoed to the ends of the earth. The moment had come. The long-awaited child had arrived! Creation cried out in celebration, but only a few people heard. Only a few joined nature's chorus, a song in praise of the newborn King.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Psalms tell us that the created order now declares the glory of God (Psalms 19 and 65) and that when Jesus returns even the trees will sing for joy (Psalm 96). How fitting, then, to imagine the animals and stars sensing and rejoicing in the coming of Christ the first time. This is a lovely book!" - Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City --Endorsement from Pastor Tim Keller:

"I love Sally Lloyd-Jones's books. I can't wait to read it to my granddaughter." - Kathy Keller --Endorsement from Kathy Keller:

Review

'The Psalms tell us that the created order now declares the glory of God (Psalms 19 and 65) and that when Jesus returns even the trees will sing for joy (Psalm 96). How fitting, then, to imagine the animals and stars sensing and rejoicing in the coming of Christ the first time. This is a lovely book!' -- Tim Keller, Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City <br><br>

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 7 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz (September 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310722918
• ISBN-13: 978-0310722915
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.4 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sally Lloyd-Jones is a Brit who came to the US in 1989 "just for a year." She's still here.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, raised in East, and West Africa and at a boarding school in the New Forest, the first book she ever remembers reading all the way through was THE COMPLETE NONSENSE by Edward Lear. Things have not been the same since.

She lives in Manhattan and enjoys dividing her time between the front half of her apartment and the back.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#81 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#81 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sally Lloyd-Jones Does it Again! October 1, 2011

By J. Barber

Format:Hardcover

Sally Lloyd-Jones' newest book, Song of the Stars, is further evidence that she is one of the most important writers of children's books today. She is able to take the Biblical story of Christmas and, while still being faithful to the text, imagine it in a new and vibrant way. Song of the Stars is about the coming of Jesus, yes, but it is also about all of Creation waiting for him. It's about the animals and the earth longing for their Savior to come. This book should be on the shelf of every child. It's an important addition to the canon of great children's literature.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story September 30, 2011

By Mystery Fall

Format:Hardcover

I was blessed to hear Sally Lloyd Jones read this book aloud at a conference for "creatives" : in Nashville, TN last week. She had pages from the book projected on a screen as she read (I'm guessing from the audio book version). First for the visuals - I found them to be compelling, engaging, creative and refreshingly "primitive." With children's literature the images are at least half the fun and with the artwork for this book there is MUCH fun to be had for sure. Thanks for not settling for second rate art Sally! During her keynote at the conference she said, "You wouldn't come into a presentation for your job with your second best. Why do we think it's okay for children to have less than our best. If anything kids deserve more." (I summarized that but it's close I think.) The story itself is as equally compelling. You won't be disappointed with the simple yet wonder-filled words on every page. This story is told from the vantage-point of the animals and nature that were the first to "sense" that Jesus had come to earth. They knew that "he's here" before anyone else did. What a warm and though-provoking concept. This is truly a Christmas story of a different sort. It will be a staple for my family from this Christmas forward!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A different sort of Christmas book November 9, 2011

By itsjustme

Format:Hardcover

Written in free-flowing, poetic style, popular children's book author Sally Lloyd Jones turns the original Christmas story into something true, but different, in Song of the Stars.

"The world was about to change forever. And it almost went by unnoticed..." Jones begins. In the subsequent pages she imagines how nature might have reacted to the birth of the Savior. Leaves "rustle with a rumor," the wind "whispered it softly in the sycamore trees," a "big brown bear sniffed the air," "the skies shouted it to the seas that thundered it to the waves that roared it to the great white whales that sang it to the starfish in the deep"...and so on. Once in a while, an animal or plant cries, "It's time! It's time!," "Be glad!" "The Mighty King!", or "The Bright and Morning Star!"

The vivid illustrations by Alison Jay depict nature - presumably around the world - reacting to Jesus' birth, until finally we see Bethlehem with shepherds, sheep, and angels surrounding it, then a little barn, then a baby surrounded by animals, then the baby held by his mother and surrounded by animals, then Jesus' family. "Our Rescuer!" Mary cries, and all "gazed in wonder at God's great gift...Heaven's Son sleeping under the stars that he made."

What I Like: This picture book is unlike any Christmas book you've probably ever seen before. Jones' fresh take on the subject matter is based solidly on biblical fact, but shows plenty of imagination and creativity, too. I am reminded of Psalm 96, where the Bible says Jesus' return will be met with a roaring sea and rejoicing trees. Then would it be any wonder if nature rejoiced at his birth?

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Kristina Seleshanko, Christian Children's Book Review

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