Customer Reviews

The Stable Where Jesus Was Born

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a beautiful story of Christ's birth told in a repeating rhyme. The story tells of the animals who were present in the stable, Mary and Joseph, and all the people who came to rejoice as the light shone on the big round world. I was looking for a simplified version of the story with beautiful pictures - one that is not too advanced for the preschool set but still appealing for the parent that gets to read it over and over and over - I highly recommend this one.

In my small Catholic school library, there are many Christmas books for children, both religious and secular, both new and classics. One I recently discovered is "The Stable Where Jesus Was Born," a story that simply but profoundly tells the manger story. It is my new favorite.

Writer Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrator Susan Gaber begin the story on the end pages. Set against a huge, late afternoon sun against an orangy landscape walk the donkey with Mary sitting and Joseph leading. They have obviously traveled far and have a long way to go. On the title page night is falling. On the next two pages they have reached the far side, it is night, and they are tired. All these with no words.

Then the story begins: "This is the stable where Jesus was born." In addition to Mary, Joseph, and the donkey, the viewer can find three birds and one cat. Inside: "This is the cow in the sweet-smelling hay, the cat and her kittens and three mice at play, that lived in the stable where Jesus was born."

The illustration is gorgeous: Mary sits amongst the cow, the donkey, a goat, a sheep, the three mice, two birds, and three kittens. They obviously are drawn to her gentility. Joseph, too, looks adoringly on her in the next illustration.

This is a special picture book about the Christmas story. The rhyme focuses on "Mary, by name" (an oft-repeated phrase) then starts pulling back, back into a more universal picture from the shepherds with their sheep, to Bethlehem to the "earth all round and bright that glimmered with hope that first Christmas night." Then--pow--Jesus as the centerfold with the three little kittens looking on, back to Bethlehem, to the angel in the sky who "wished well the father, Joseph, so tall, who cared for the baby and animals all" to "mostly the mother, Mary by name, the mother of Jesus she became," to the manger tableau. The last two end pages show the three wise men nearing the manger scene.

Simple, elegant, beautiful. A must-have for those who want the Christmas story for their children. This particular book can bring a tear to the eye through its sheer beauty and simplicity.

My children (ages 1 1/2 and 3) and I love this book. There is some predictability, which the kids like, but not too much, which I like. The pictures are beautiful. It was a favorite at Christmas time--we read it nearly every night at their request.

The text in this book is cute, but not accurate. It describes Joseph, Mary's husband, as the proud father three times. Jesus is the Son of God, that's the basis of Christianity. I would not recommend this book.

My children LOVE this story! We read it all year long but it is especially wonderful at Christmas-time.

I reviewed the book, and I am looking forwar to using next Christmas season. I am a professional Santa Claus, I am always looking for good Christmas Books to read to the Children. The book has a ice and easy story line to follow. I believe the children will enjoy it!