Christmas Story Book

Award-winning illustrator Gennady Spirin (The Sea King's Daughters and The Crane Wife) brings his glorious paintbrush to the Passion play. When you want to introduce children to the actual biblical words that recount Christ's birth, this is the book to reach for. Spirin's paintings are reminiscent of the Renaissance masters, with a sundry of wine reds, creamy whites, celestial blues, and sun-burnt browns all gilded in Italian gold. When Gabriel visits Mary he descends from heaven in a mist of wispy clouds. A gold halo frames his sincere face, and in his hand he carries an offering of a white lily. When Gabriel explains the enormous task that is being asked of Mary, she finally agrees, saying, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Spirin then closes in on Mary's young face--her downcast eyes and lightly pursed lips holding oceans of fear and faith. And when heaven celebrates the arrival of Jesus, the page looks as though it's been plucked from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. These are the kind of illustrations that linger with children like guardian angels--forever imprinting beautiful images upon the story of Christ's birth. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustrations ©1998 by Gennady Spirin, from The Christmas Story. Reprinted by permission of Henry Holt and Co.) (All ages) --Gail HudsonRead More