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HarperBlessings
4 Reviews
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
James Bernardin.
Twelve Nativity players offer prayers expressing their places in "God's plan." Though some of the rhymes are clunky ("I could not have known / when I turned them away, / pure love from above / would soon lie in the hay"), the writing is more often serviceable. Lavish paintings illustrate the traditional Nativity scenes using rich blue and gold hues.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Jill Newton.
Old MacDonald becomes Old MacNoah in this rhyming version of the biblical story. When the hungry animals spot dry land, everyone onboard lets out a heartfelt "YA-HOO! here / And a YA-HOO! there." A little potty humor in the text ("Here a POO! / There a POO!") isn't taken literally in the illustrations; thankfully, the animals' reactions make the point.
Reviewer: Amy Kellman
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tim Ladwig.
This Nativity story, told in rhyming verse from Mary's perspective, allows Mary to express her love and enjoy the quiet time she has with her baby before she must share him with the world. While neither the text nor the requisite glowing art stand out, new mothers may appreciate the book's sentiment.
Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lori McElrath-Eslick.
A boy imagines what he would do if Jesus were his playmate. Despite the clunky rhyming verse, adults may find this a useful tool for teaching children how to put into practice Jesus' message of love and kindness. In this newly illustrated edition, some of the paintings of kids at play in the country setting are stiff.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
4 reviews
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