Overview
Experience the wonder of the very first Christmas with this magical changing-picture book.
The classic Christmas nativity story is stunningly illustrated by evocative pastel artwork depicting angels, shepherds, and wise men arriving in Bethlehem to share the magic of the birth of Jesus. Lift the gatefold flaps to change the pictures and watch the story unfold along the way.
Synopsis
Experience the wonder of the very first Christmas with this magical changing-picture book.
The classic Christmas nativity story is stunningly illustrated by evocative pastel artwork depicting angels, shepherds, and wise men arriving in Bethlehem to share the magic of the birth of Jesus. Lift the gatefold flaps to change the pictures and watch the story unfold along the way.
Children's Literature
The familiar Bible story of the first Christmas is enhanced in this book for young children by the addition of four changing pictures. The process is not often seen today, but it was one of the very early ways devised to make books movable. Entirely new images are created when one sheet of paper, cut into slats, is pulled over a second sheet, which has been similarly cut. All the pictures in this book are circular and, except for the one on the cover, opening a large flap on the right side of the page activates the changes. The cover picture is changed when the cover itself is opened causing the scene underneath to go into action. Returning the flap to its original position will bring back the first picture. The illustrations throughout are in misty shades of yellow, brown, blue, purple and turquoise. The first image changes from the picture of a baby surrounded by sheep to one of three men riding camels. The book ends with the same three wise men changing into a picture of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus in a stable. There are many more beautifully told and handsomely illustrated books about the first Christmas but this large 10" square book is reasonably priced and has interactive pictures that children might enjoy. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich
Editorials
Children's Literature -
The familiar Bible story of the first Christmas is enhanced in this book for young children by the addition of four changing pictures. The process is not often seen today, but it was one of the very early ways devised to make books movable. Entirely new images are created when one sheet of paper, cut into slats, is pulled over a second sheet, which has been similarly cut. All the pictures in this book are circular and, except for the one on the cover, opening a large flap on the right side of the page activates the changes. The cover picture is changed when the cover itself is opened causing the scene underneath to go into action. Returning the flap to its original position will bring back the first picture. The illustrations throughout are in misty shades of yellow, brown, blue, purple and turquoise. The first image changes from the picture of a baby surrounded by sheep to one of three men riding camels. The book ends with the same three wise men changing into a picture of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus in a stable. There are many more beautifully told and handsomely illustrated books about the first Christmas but this large 10" square book is reasonably priced and has interactive pictures that children might enjoy. Reviewer: Eleanor HeldrichSchool Library Journal
K Up—This lovely presentation of the Nativity story includes four "changing-pictures," which are created by overlaying two images divided into vertical slats. In this case, the images change when a flap is opened. Williams's pastel illustrations are both luminous and child-centric, conveying a sense of mystery, awe, and gentle humor. One of the strengths is the work of the unnamed adaptor, who tells the story in an accessible voice. While many toy-movable books aren't appropriate for a library setting, this one is sturdier than most, and could be used in a religious holiday program.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public LibraryKirkus Reviews
Opening the cover of this large-format book printed on heavy cardstock leads to a surprise: The circular illustration under a die-cut window in the cover changes from a view of the Christ Child in the manger to a close-up of the Three Wise Men. Every other spread throughout the volume uses a similar format, with a gatefold flap on the right edge that opens to make a circular inset change to a related illustration that advances the narrative. The pleasing illustrations in soft-focus pastels provide a traditional interpretation of the Nativity story, with glowing jewel tones and shimmering light from the special star. The text is smoothly retold in contemporary language, although the level of difficulty of the text is not in alignment with the movable-picture feature and cardstock pages, which imply a preschool-aged audience. (Picture book/religion. 2-8)