The first night [Paperback]

B. G Hennessy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1995

With utter simplicity, the story of Jesus?s birth is recounted in this exquisite book. It frames the first few hours of his life?before the angels, the shepherds, and the kings?when this baby seemed like any other baby. The spare, moving text and luminous illustrations combine to create a sense of mystery and wonder that will captivate children and adults alike.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Creating illustrations with paintings on butternut wood, its delicate grain providing texture and its artfully roughened edges a weathered, rustic look, the artists use jewel-bright blues and rich earth tones to depict the shepherds following the star and the baby they find in the stable. Each of the tender, beautifully designed scenes would make a perfect Christmas card; here, accompanied by a spare, primer-simple text (``In the warm, dark stable there was a lamb. There was a cow, too, and piles of crisp, yellow hay''), they make a lovely introduction to the story, to be extended at will--the only explicitly religious note is a prefatory quote (``And the Word became flesh...''--John 1:14). (Picture book. 2-7) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Lou Fancher lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Scholastic (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590545493
• ISBN-13: 978-0590545495
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

B. G. Hennessy has authored over 35 children's books including the entire series of CORDUROY lift-the-flap books. With nearly four million books in print in ten languages, her writing awards and honors include two Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards an IRA/Children's Choice Award Book and a Best Book of the Year by the Bank Street College of Education. She recently authored CORDUROY LOST AND FOUND, a companion to Don Freeman's beloved Corduroy bear series. More information on her books can be found at www.bghennessy.com. Ms. Hennessy lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The perfect bedtime story to read on Christmas Eve., January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Night (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I discovered this book during the past holiday season and was taken in by the simplistic, yet beautiful re-telling of the Christmas story. Giving life to the words, the illustrations are enchanting. My niece and I enjoyed sharing this book together and I look forward to reading it to my own children on Christmas Eve for many years to come.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Spiritual Account of the Nativity, December 22, 2007

By 

J. A. Peer "Mom of Three" (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Night (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I bought this book years ago for my son (who's now 17)...it's a simple, beautifully illustrated version of the Nativity. The simple spirituality conveyed in this book is profound. "The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us." In its sweet description of the quiet moments of Jesus' first hours of life on earth, the story reminds children (and adults) that our Savior was human and felt all the things that we as humans feel. It's just beautiful and incredibly moving.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love the illustrations; text is so-so, January 1, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Night (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I am an illustration fanatic, and this book has wonderful, wonderful illustrations.

The text I am just not sold on -- I would probably give it only two stars for text. I would almost prefer the book had no text at all -- only these gorgeous illustrations. After all, I know the Christmas story and I can tell it using these pictures.

I love the angels inside the front and back cover. I would buy a Christmas card of any illustration in this book.