This Is the Stable [Hardcover]

Cynthia Cotten (Author), Delana Bettoli (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A gorgeous, poetic new version of the Nativity story

 

Wondrous things are happening in this humble little stable. The animals are gathering round. Shepherds and wise men and angels are coming from afar. All of them are flocking to see the Christ child, born this night in Bethlehem.

Illustrated in the gorgeous tropical hues of the region and told in lyrical verses perfect for reading aloud, this is a retelling of the Nativity that will be treasured for many Christmases to come.

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–This lovely picture book combines beautiful artwork and a seamless, thoughtful The house that Jack built style to tell the story of the Nativity. The rhyme is sweet but never forced. Bettoli uses a mixture of pastels, primary colors, and earth tones to create pictures that are bright and imbued with fanciful elements such as winglike clouds and a face in the star of Bethlehem. A sense of place is well established by sand dunes, desert shrubs, and palm trees. The variety of animals and the multiethnic cast of people and angels are all rendered with lifelike energy and expression. A gentle, comforting selection.–Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

"This is the stable, dusty and brown, in a quiet corner of Bethlehem town" begins this slim, attractive retelling of the Nativity. Written in repetitive phrases and rhythms reminiscent of "This Is the House That Jack Built," the book's brief couplets introduce each part of the story--the manger, the watchful animals, the holy family--always returning to the refrain of the "quiet stable." The rhymes feel a bit forced in a few of the couplets: "This is the mother, her manner so mild, singing and rocking her newborn child," for example. But the pace is just right for participatory read-alouds, and Bettoli's attractively patterned, gem-colored paintings amplify the sense of devotion and joy in scenes of winged angels and stars beaming love and light. Like Rhonda Gowler Greene's The Stable Where Jesus Was Born (1999), this is a good choice for larger collections. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805075569
• ISBN-13: 978-0805075564
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #914,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas book for all ages, February 14, 2007

By 

Bonnie D. (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Stable (Hardcover)

This is the PERFECT Christmas book - I bought two dozen copies to give away as Christmas gifts. The traditional Christmas Story is told in a simple yet engaging manner. The artwork however makes the story come alive - it's amazing. When one of my grandchildren (who happens to be half African American) saw the picture of Baby Jesus she said "Look Grammy, Baby Jesus is the same color as me - light brown!" and indeed he was. I especially loved the angels who appeared to the shepherds: Miss Bettoli had each dressed in a glorious bright colored flowered robe. When I saw that picture my first reaction was, "I knew my mother (since deceased) wasn't wearing a boring white robe in heaven - she wouldn't have worn bland colors when she was alive so I'm sure she wouldn't do it in heaven"! Can't rave enough about this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding for youngsters and parents alike, February 7, 2007

By 

Book-ee (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Stable (Hardcover)

This is a captivating telling of the Christmas story for youngsters. But for me, the illustrations are what make this book stand out from others. Kids will be drawn to the gorgeous colors and the rendering of all the characters - human and animal - so that they're immediately likable and comforting. There's so much rich detail that every page encourages the creation of its own little story beyond the brief text. And there's something there for adults, too. We big people can appreciate these illustrations as artwork, admiring and enjoying the rendering and composition. I'd like to think that kids with a creative eye could learn something about art as well as experience this lyrical rendition of the Nativity, which makes it a twofer in my book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute Book for Small Fry - a review of "This is the Stable", February 7, 2007

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: This Is the Stable (Hardcover)

This is a lovely book with good rhyme. The colors are soothing and the pictures are interesting. Both portray the version of the classic story wherein the beasts comfort and sooth the baby Jesus.

Four Stars. Very Good Read-aloud. The rhythm of the poem will appeal to children, especially if they are already familiar with 'This is the House that Jack Built'. The artwork is very nice and shows people of different ethnic backgrounds. The wisemen, for example, are Asian, African and middle eastern.