There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve [Hardcover]

Pamela Munoz Ryan (Author), Dennis Nolan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

There was no snow on Christmas Eve. Instead, a desert zephyr blew And palm fronds sang a rustling tune To welcome the awaited birth. There was no snow, no fireplace, no need for woolen caps and gloves on that very first Christmas. Instead there was a humble stable, and weary travelers with light robes and sandals on a desert night. This luminous picture book manages to take the familiar story of the Nativity and make it fresh and immediate, reminding young children of the miracle of Christmas and the true nature of the spirit of the season, no matter what the weather.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. On a wintry night two children and an adult walk outdoors and reflect on the contrast between the snowy scene that greets them and the balmy serenity in Jerusalem when Jesus was born: "There was no snow on Christmas Eve . . . no snow on Christmas Day. Instead a desert zephyr blew and palm fronds sang a rustling tune to welcome the awaited birth." The text is spare and lyrical, with hushed tones that underscore the significance of the momentous event. It's the evocative watercolor artwork, however, that really stands out, effectively and beautifully suggesting the different worlds of then and now. The lovely, youthful Madonna and Child on the jacket will attract parents and others looking for a lovely seasonal read-aloud. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786854928
• ISBN-13: 978-0786854929
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PAM Muñoz Ryan is the author of more that thirty books for young readers, including four beloved novels, Riding Freedom, Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi León, and Paint the Wind, which collectively have garnered, among countless accolades, the Pura Belpré Medal, the Jane Addams Award, and the Schneider Family Award. She lives in Southern California with her family. You can visit her at www.PamMunozRyan.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soft and soothing, December 19, 2007

By 

Terry Watts "garden girl" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve (Hardcover)

This is a Christmas book worth reading, devoid of the too-bright hype of many children's books. The verse is lyrical and soothing, and the pictures evoke a different place and time, in contrast with today's children celebrating a snowy Christmas. The illustrations are lovely, and the meaning of Christmas is brought out gently - a great book to read by the fire on Christmas Eve.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written, May 29, 2007

By 

Amy M. Berard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve (Hardcover)

What a great piece of literature for any child! You child will come across new words. It is great for any age. This isn't just any Christmas book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful Christmas book for kids, November 5, 2009

By 

Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve (Hardcover)

On a snowy, wintry night, two children and an adult venture outdoors to enjoy the beautiful white scenery. As they walk through the snow, they reflect on the difference between the frosty scene they are enjoying and the heat that would have greeted Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. "There was no snow on Christmas Eve. . . So long ago in Bethlehem, instead of storm, a night serene."

In rhyme, There Was no Snow on Christmas Eve, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Dennis Nolan, is a short book, with a mere 150 words. But, each word conveys a sense of poetry with descriptive prose throughout the narrative.

The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and very life-like. The paintings cover double-paged spreads throughout the book.

What I Like: Everything. The short text makes it ideal for little ones to enjoy; the illustrations and poetic language make it perfect for older ones, too.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review