Through the Animals' Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas [Hardcover]

Christopher Wormell (Author)

Book Description

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

From dogs watching over the shepherds’ flocks when angels appear, to a charmed cobra performing in Herod’s court as the king tries to deceive the wise men, Wormell’s trademark animal imagery brings a new perspective to the story of the first Christmas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Top of my pile, as he was last year, is Christopher Wormell, whose Mice, Morals, & Monkey Business features 21 of Aesop's finest fables. Wormell has two advantages over the competition: first, his woodcuts are sublime; second, he knows how to design a book to please every age group. Independent on Sunday "(Teeth Tails and Tentacles) is divine... the temptation will be to frame his dynamic images of animals for yourself." The Times Book Review "The New Alphabet of Animals is simply magnificent. A very satisfying strength lies throughout this book." Times Educational Supplement"

About the Author

Christopher Wormell is the celebrated English wood engraver whose illustrated books are collected and loved throughout the world. His first children’s book, An Alphabet of Animals, won the prestigious Graphics Prize at the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair and has been reprinted in numerous editions. His other children’s book titles include Mowgli's Brothers, Blue Rabbit and Friends, Blue Rabbit and the Runaway Wheel, Animal Train, Off to the Fair, and George and the Dragon. Wormell lives in London with his wife and three children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Running Press Kids (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762426691
• ISBN-13: 978-0762426690
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Wormell (born in 1955 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire) is a self-taught artist, and the winner of the Ragazza Prize at Bologna in 1991. Two Frogs won the Nestlé Bronze Award in 2003 and Molly and the Night Monster was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009.

His books include George and the Dragon and The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit which was recently adapted into a stage play. In addition to his children's books, Chris undertakes other illustration work including advertising campaigns, packaging, a set of Royal Mail stamps and a collection of four covers for the same issue of Time Out magazine, featuring traditional British pub signs.

Chris lives in North London with his wife and children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Christmas Coffee table Art Book, August 18, 2007

By 

M. M. Smith (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through the Animals' Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas (Hardcover)

In contrast to the other review, one reason I love this book is that the Christmas story is simply told, and the illustrations are an opportunity for the reader to quietly enter into the story through the eye of the critters who supposedly witnessed the chain of events which led to Christ's birth - it is a sort of quiet meditation on the story. If you are looking for talking animals or are not the meditative type, this book is not for you. If you love Wormell's other work or love linocut prints, then you will not be disappointed. It's probably as much for adult enjoyment as for kids. Wormell is best at Books which showcase animals (see his Alphabet of Animals, A Number of Animals, so of course he would do a Christmas book like this. Being a Wormell fan and a Christmas book junkie, I cannot help but give this 5 stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Board Book for Christian Parents, December 9, 2010

By 

AC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Animals' Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas (Hardcover)

The Biblical story of Jesus' birth is paired with beautiful illustrations that include local wildlife in the familiar scenes. I haven't figured out why these critters are featured in the title, because the story line ignores them. Maybe the artist wanted a new perspective for an overly familiar theme. Or maybe he hoped that this book would appeal to non-Christians. However, heavy-handed Christianism--Herod is portrayed getting stung by a bee--has the opposite effect. Best for Christian parents who want to enjoy good artwork while beginning their childrens' religions education.

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT Through the Animals' Eyes, December 3, 2006

By 

K9mom (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Animals' Eyes: A Story of the First Christmas (Hardcover)

I bought this because I assumed by the title that it would be the Christmas Story from the animals' point of view. It definitely is not! It is the same story taken almost exactly word for word from the Bible with hardly any mention of animals at all. I guess the author/publisher figured that by just putting in some pictures of animals, that would count. The title is completely misleading! If you want a Christmas story about animals this is NOT the one.