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Nativity Stories
There's more to Christmas than presents, turkeys and trees. The nativity story has delighted children for hundreds of years and, unless it is against your beliefs, it is good to keep up the tradition. There is a good selection of books available to help you, ranging from straight retellings to humorous ones.
The Nativity Story
by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Sophy Williams
(Lion)
Geraldine McCaughrean’s evocative text brings the characters and settings of the nativity to life so well that you can almost smell the incense in the temple and see the camels moving in single file through the narrow streets of Bethlehem. She has divided the story into eleven sections, starting with Zechariah’s desire for a child and ending with the flight into Egypt. Each section is about 3 pages long, which makes them ideal for a daily storytelling session in the run-up to Christmas.
The pastel artwork combines strong colour and dramatic layout to illustrate the well-loved scenes.
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Father and Son
by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Fabian Negrin
(Hodder)
'Long after the star had set, after the angel had roosted’ Joseph sits watching over his new-born son. As he does so, he embarks upon a prayerful introspection about the enormity of his role as the father of Jesus.
Fabian Negrin’s beautiful paintings show father and son as they grow through Jesus’ childhood years: The young boy whispering in his father’s ear, throwing stones in the river, splashing in puddles and the sea, playing with a pet dog and other everyday activities, which are shared between every father and son. The lyrical words Geraldine McCaughrean puts in Joseph’s mouth are truly a prayer of humility as he contemplates his awesome task.
This is definitely a thought-provoking book for those for whom Christmas is more than just a party and a time to be jolly. Cannot be recommended too highly.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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Ituku’s
Christmas Journey
by Elena Pasquali, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic
(Lion)
This is an unusual and altogether delightful slant on the nativity story.
It starts in a land of snow and ice where a small Inuit boy and his trusty
dog, Jaq receive some amazing news from a giant polar bear in the sky.
Together the pair set off in their kayak to an unknown destination - a
far distant place of sun and sand where a wonderful surprise awaits them.
Warmth and softness is the mood that emanates from the gentle illustrations
despite the chilly nature of the landscapes for most of the story.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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from Amazon
On
that Christmas Night
by Mary Joslin illustrated by Helen Cann
(Lion)
This is a straightforward nativity story, told with a directness and eloquence
that makes it highly accessible to young audiences and a pleasure to read
aloud: ‘As they looked, they saw a bright light. They all saw it.
At first, it was as if a single star began to slide; then a cluster of
stars began to move together, scattering sparkle in their wake. The sparkle
swirled and rose up like an ocean wave… rising, cresting and tumbling
in flakes of glittering gold.’ Try sharing that passage with a group
of children and see what artwork it inspires.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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from Amazon
How
Many Miles to Bethlehem?
by Kevin Crossly-Holland, illustrated by Peter Malone
(Orion)
‘I am Mary. Tight as a drum. Round as the lady moon calling out
to me.’ … so begins this superb narration of the Christmas
story wherein the innkeeper, the ox, the donkey, the sheep, the shepherds,
the wise men, King Herod and the Christ Child and the angels all take
turns to add their voices as the nativity unfolds. But the final words
are those of the infant child proclaiming himself the ‘Light of
Light.’
Peter Malone’s Renaissance style illustrations are masterfully painted,
reflecting the awe and wonder of the nativity story.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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from Amazon
Home
for Christmas
by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Karin Littlewood
(Frances Lincoln)
A small homeless boy with no family spends his days working in the market,
going each evening to share a straw bed with the animals in a stable.
But one night there are unexpected sounds and movement when he returns
to the stable, and that night he too comes to know what it means to belong
and to feel that special warmth inside – the warmth of family love.
As well as being a heart-warming new perspective on the nativity story,
this poignantly illustrated picture book is a reminder that even today
many people have no real place to call home or a family to rely upon.
Well worth seeking out, sharing, discussing and reflecting on.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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from Amazon
The
Littlest Camel and other Christmas Stories
by Bob Hartman
(Lion)
Bob Hartman retells, in his usual lively manner, nine traditional tales
with a seasonal theme from around the world. As a professional storyteller,
he retains that directness and lightness of touch characteristic of the
oral tradition, making these short tales perfect for reading aloud to
under eights. Some, such as the Italian Old Befana and A Flower for Christmas,
based on a Swedish telling of how the scarlet poinsettia became a special
Christmas gift, are quite well known, others less so. I particularly liked
the title story (from Syria) and a story from France wherein, with an
important message to deliver, The Raven, sets aside his jealousy and flies
to the stable in Bethlehem to see a special baby.
Gently humorous line drawings by Brett Hudson will add to the enjoyment
of more confident young readers who want try reading the stories themselves.
(Reviewed by Jill Bennett)
( The Noisy Stable is a companion volume in the same Storyteller
series and some of the stories also appear in The Lion Storyteller Christmas,
reviewed below.)
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from Amazon
Little
Owl and the Star
by Mary Murphy
(Walker Books) 07445 8802 2
With a friendly owl narrator and companionable star as guide, we share
a journey to a stable. On the way the pair encounter three camels and
their riders, sheep and shepherds, and singing angels, who all obey the
star’s command, ‘follow us’. Inside the stable, Owl
is the first of the travellers to join a man, woman and peacefully sleeping
baby. This tale of the nativity is told in simple direct language for
young listeners and readers and illustrated with bold bright images set
against an inky black. On the final spread the star – complete with
holographic effects – bursts forth in showers of rainbow coloured
light out across the world. A lovely book for sharing or giving.
(reviewed by Jill Bennett)
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from Amazon
The Christmas
Story
Retold by Heather Amery, illustrated by Norman Young
(Usborne)
This inexpensive paperback combines a straight retelling of the nativity
story with equally straightforward illustrations full of details showing
life at that time. The few lines of text per page are written with short,
simple sentences to make the book accessible to young children and weak
readers.
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from Amazon
Babushka
by Sandra Ann Horn, illustrated by Sophie Fatus
(Barefoot Books)
Babushka is so hooked on housework that it's become the most important
thing in her life. To her, the Christmas star just lights up the smudge
on the window, the angels might make dirty marks in the house and the
three king's camels are messing up her clean path. But the thought of
a baby in a dirty stable finally captures her attention and she sets off
with presents for him. On the way, she gives the presents to other people
who need them only to be surprised that they've found their way to Jesus
after all. Well told with a lovely touch of humour, this picture book
has a clear underlying message about loving and giving.
Ages 3 - 6
Buy from Barefoot Books
The Christmas
Mystery
by Jostein Gaarder
(Orion)
On the 1st December, Joachim buys a magic advent calendar which turns
out to have a small piece of an amazing story hidden under each door.
Soon his parents are as captivated by the mysterious pilgrimage to Bethlehem
as he is. Who is Elisabet and what is her connection to the old flower
seller who made the calendar? Written by the author of Sophie's World,
it assumes the reader knows the nativity story and also talks about some
of the history and teachings of Christianity. Although this is an abridged
version, some of the historical information may be difficult for younger
children to understand without help so they may enjoy it more if they
read it with an adult. The novel is an advent calendar itself with one
chapter for each of the 24 days leading to Christmas so you could read
it that way.
Ages 9+
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from Amazon
The Story
of Christmas
by Jane Ray
(Orchard Books)
You can't get much more traditional than this one as the text is based
on the King James Bible. It starts with the Annunciation and includes
the kings' visit with Herod but not the slaughter of the innocents. The
colourful illustrations bring the words beautifully to life with glittering
gold stars and a Mary who really looks pregnant on the way to Bethlehem.
A book to keep and treasure.
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from Amazon
This is the
Star
by Joyce Dunbar and Gary Blythe
(Picture Corgi)
The unique approach of this book is reminiscent of the The House That
Jack Built with a poem repeated on each spread that has an extra line
or two added each time. The rolling rhythm reads aloud well and the text
is well complimented by the traditional style and rich, dark colours of
the illustrations. A book to read and enjoy again and again.
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from Amazon
Cat in the
Manger
by Michael Foreman
(Andersen Press)
The cat who narrates this version of the nativity story is a real character.
He doesn't trust donkeys in case they kick, resents being tipped out of
the manger to make room for the baby and considers the arrival of the
kings' camels the last straw. But even he eventually finds the arrival
of the baby a life-changing experience. This picture book has no angels
or explanation of who the baby is which leaves you free to give as much
or as little of the spiritual side of the story as you wish.
Ages 3- 7
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from Amazon
Jesus'
Christmas Party
by Roger Parsely (based on the book by Nicholas Allan)
(Puffin)
Nicholas Allan's book is an established favourite so this musical version is sure to be popular. It tells the nativity story from the innkeeper's point of view
- a night of constant interruptions and lost sleep - and has lots of humour and a satisfying ending. The director's pack contains everything you need to perform the show, including a CD of the backing music in case you don't have a pianist available.
Available from Starshine Music.
The Lion
Storyteller Christmas
by Bob Hartman
(Lion)
This collection of Christmas stories divides the nativity story into 13
episodes so you can spread it out over the run-up to Christmas. It also
contains a delightful selection of other traditional Christmas stories
including many from other countries. These give an insight into the different
ways the holiday is celebrated around the world and the legends behind
those customs. The stories read out loud extremely well so this book is
particularly useful for teachers and youth group leaders as well as parents
looking for a good selection of bedtime stories for December.
Ages 5-11
Buy
from Amazon
For more Christmas titles, see
Stories with Father Christmas
Stories without Father Christmas
Christmas Film Tie-ins and Videos
Christmas poetry
Christmas Activity Books
Nativity Plays
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