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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Paperback)

by Barbara Robinson (Author) "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: baby angels, angel choir, Wise Men, Alice Wendleken, Reverend Hopkins (more...)

4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (122 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-This beloved classic by Barbara Robinson (HarpCollins, 1972) about six very unruly children who teach a whole church about the true meaning of the birth of Christ is brought to life by the narrator, C. J. Critt. By using only her voice, she gives each character its own personality. With slight voice inflections and gentle changes in the pacing of the narration, she gives listeners a real understanding of the story. While the pacing of the narration is at times a little fast during the body of the text, the pauses at commas, periods and between paragraphs are longer than normally heard in general conversation. While this doesn't distract from the pleasure of just listening to the story, it will cause some problems if used as a read-a-long with older students. Due to the subject matter, public school libraries will find its uses limited. Since the book and the TV movie are so popular, public libraries will find a built in audience.

Ann West LaPrise, Detroit Public Library, MI

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"One of the best Christmas books ever." -- Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (June 6, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0064402754
ISBN-13: 978-0064402750
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (122 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#2 in Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( R ) > Robinson, Barbara
#27 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Festivals > Christmas > Fiction

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Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
baby angels, angel choir

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Wise Men, Alice Wendleken, Reverend Hopkins, Imogene Herdman, Miss Hemphill, Leroy Herdman, Ollie Herdman, Angel of the Lord, Miss Graebner, Miss Brandel, Gladys Herdman, Hobie Carmichael, Silent Night, Little Town of Bethlehem

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Citations (learn more)

63 books cite this book:

Reading is not Spectator Sport by Pelton on 5 pages
Children's Literature for All God's Children by Virginia Thomas on 4 pages
Rebuses for Readers by Martin on page 1, page 72, and Back Matter
Plays Children Love: Volume II: A Treasury of Contemporary and Classic Plays for Children by Coleman Jennings in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and page 65
Quotation Index to Children's Literature: by Melanie Axel-Lute on page 106, and Back Matter

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Plays Children Love by Coleman Jennings

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	81% buy the item featured on this page: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4.8 out of 5 stars (122) $5.99
	11% buy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever DVD 4.7 out of 5 stars (25)
	4% buy Best Christmas Pageant Ever 4.5 out of 5 stars (8)
	2% buy Plays Children Love: Volume II: A Treasury of Contemporary and Classic Plays for Children 3.3 out of 5 stars (3) $17.05

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Customer Reviews

122 Reviews

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3 star:		(4)
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Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (122 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Christmas Book Ever, July 11, 2002

By	R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Here's a simple, enchanting tale. It's warm and funny and thoroughly unpredictable. It's published in a short and skinny book in large type and, assuming you can tear yourself away from the story, it can be read in small spurts.

The Herdmans are absolutely and without question the worst kids "in the entire history of the world." They are guilty of evey unmentionable childhood crime and have thought of more than a few original ones. When they take over the church Christmas pageant (although none of them has ever attended church, much less heard the Christmas story before), the first Christmas becomes new and real in some pretty surprising ways.

Nevermind that the publishers call this a children's story. It isn't. The vision it has to offer is hilarious yet deeply touching in a profound yet innocent way.

Stock up on copies for Christmas gifts to teachers and friends. I'd give one to the friend who wails that Christmas has become too commercial or to the harried mother of a lively brood or to someone who dreads the holiday. And keep one for yourself because it's almost as much fun each time you read it.

Merry Christmas!

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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great joys of motherhood--, November 22, 2000

By	Catherine J Mincy (Booneville, Mississippi United States) - See all my reviews

is the opportunity to revisit your childhood.

First, Dr. Suess, then The Saggy Baggy Elephant, and now the Herdmans.

I have loved reading since I was five years old. One of my most important goals is to pass that love of books on to my two daughters. I'm no expert, but sharing books that make me happy with them seems to be a good way to start.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a story about THOSE kids. You know--the ones you avoid sitting next to at Pizza Hut. The ones who show up at church once or twice a quarter, when someone brings them. The ones you feel sorry for but secretly compare to your own kids to make yourself feel good about how well-mannered, smart, attractive your kids are.

THOSE kids, the Herdmans, show us that Christmas isn't just about our own families and our safe, secure homes, but about THOSE kids--the unwanted, nasty, obnoxious, dirty kids with whom we don't want our kids associating.

The point of the story is that we should open our eyes and see them as Jesus saw the little children and open our heart to love even the barely lovable.

This story is one that will grow with your children. As they mature, you can help them get more and more out of this story. It's definitely a repeat from one holiday season to the next. I would recommend getting the hardback version so that it will last longer.

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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for all ages!, December 6, 1999

By	P. O'Kray "dokray" (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

My Dad and his wife sent my family this book for Christmas one year, and I read it at bedtime to my 7 year old son and 9 year old daughter. Although we were only going to read a chapter every night, they begged me to keep reading, and I didn't want to stop, either. The Herdman children give us a fresh perspective on the traditional Christmas story, and show us that anyone can be touched by the true meaning of Christmas. A story that young and old can relate to, it made us all laugh and some of us cry. I plan to read this book every year,out loud. A wonderful, touching story. Only one word of warning - there are a handful of "naughty" words in this story, since the Herdman children are a bit rude. You can substitute something more suitable as you read to children, but don't pass by this great story because of it.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Of The Tree!
I read this book for the first time many years ago and it remains one of my favorites. Funny and moving. A read to please all ages!

Published 3 months ago by E. Giuliani

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
I read this book years ago...It is funny but also has
a serious side to it. I love the humor but also the
lesson in seeing the Christmas story with the eyes of... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Deseret Rose

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great LIttle Classic!
Every year a number of new books appear for the Christmas season, seeking to show new significance to old customs, or sometimes merely to put a contemporary story in a holiday... Read more

Published 6 months ago by D. T. Gregory

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you feel so much better about your dysfunctional family!
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is probably the best book ever, in my humble opinion! Believe me, it is not just a children's book whatsoever. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Alexandra

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas classic for all ages!
I've directed the play for a couple of years and actually purchased several copies of this book to give away as prizes in a drawing for children attendees. Read more

Published 6 months ago by K. Campbell

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly the best!
The best Christmas story for children that I have ever read. With wonderful humor it manages to help children really understand the Nativity. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Dolores Ruddy

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Family Favorite
This is the first year we've read this book as a family and it has been a delightful experience. The children of all ages love the story and we laugh together every night as we... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Amy Poole

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Christmas Pagaent Ever
I purchased this book simply to replace my original copy, which I loaned out and which was never returned. Read more

Published 18 months ago by KJB

4.0 out of 5 stars True meaning of Christmas in an untraditional presentation
It's a fun story about an untraditional Christmas play. It shows how good can come of seemingly negative changes and find some unexpected, meaningful outcomes. Read more

Published 18 months ago by J. Bradley

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Christmas Books Ever
The worst kids in the neighborhood decide to be in the annual Christmas Pageant and turn the weeks leading up to the event into a very funny, read. Read more

Published 18 months ago by fivecats

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