This beautifully illustrated version of the story of Christmas, with text adapted from the words of the Bible, captures the sense of wonder and magnificence of the Nativity. Jane Ray's art shines from each page making this a book that will be shared year after year as part of the Christmas tradition.
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Our favourite is The Story of Christmas by Jane Ray, with its gleaming illustrations..[It] is novel but also pleasingly traditional.
(Sunday Express Magazine 20051201)About the Author
Jane Ray's truly exquisite artwork has gained acclaim both in the UK and internationally. She is one of the most talented and distinctive illustrators in the children's book world and regularly exhibits her work at various galleries. Jane won the Smarties Prize with The Story of Creation; The Story of Christmas was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award; and A Balloon for Grandad was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award. Jane's recent books for Orchard include the delightful and original fairy tale The Apple-Pip Princess, the heartwarming The Dolls' House Fairy and the fabulously festive Twelve Days of Christmas. Jane lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chagall meets Diego Rivera meets the masters of medieval illumination
11 Dec 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jane Ray's illustrations combine with text drawn from the always-resonant King James version of the Bible to tell the story of Christmas, starting with the Annunciation (that's in March, remember) and finishing with the return of the holy family to Nazareth after their flight to Egypt.
This is really a stunning book, and if you're stuck for a Christmas present, this could be it. The reading age is 4-8 years, but the illustrations are crammed with things to look at and talk about - animals, birds, fabulous patterns, figures doing everyday things in the background - and this means that reading it to a younger child (say, from eighteen months) becomes a voyage of fantastical discovery. Somehow, Ray has managed to imbue her illustrations with a sense of depth, and a weight of meaning that in my experience is rare among illustrators for children. And don't get me onto the subject of the colours - just think of the vital glow of viterous enamels.
Buy it. Read it every Advent, and I think you or your children will find something new in it every year. But try to get a hardback edition - sadly out of print but available, it seems, second-hand. Our paperback certainly won't see too many more Christmases!
This is really a stunning book, and if you're stuck for a Christmas present, this could be it. The reading age is 4-8 years, but the illustrations are crammed with things to look at and talk about - animals, birds, fabulous patterns, figures doing everyday things in the background - and this means that reading it to a younger child (say, from eighteen months) becomes a voyage of fantastical discovery. Somehow, Ray has managed to imbue her illustrations with a sense of depth, and a weight of meaning that in my experience is rare among illustrators for children. And don't get me onto the subject of the colours - just think of the vital glow of viterous enamels.
Buy it. Read it every Advent, and I think you or your children will find something new in it every year. But try to get a hardback edition - sadly out of print but available, it seems, second-hand. Our paperback certainly won't see too many more Christmases!
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a really beautiful book. It arrived swiftly and used it at school. The children loved it. Aclassic with lovely illustrations.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Christmas Story Book
14 Aug 2009
By P. Spanjer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book is beautifully illustrated! The text is from the Bible. The illustrations are well done and show baby Jesus being held and nursed, as it would have really been.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
6 Nov 2008
By Lisa Munson Crews
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The text is right out of Scripture, so what could be better? The art is gorgeous. I have given this as a gift to many nursing mother friends with other young children. Every year at Christmas we read it aloud on my mother's side of the family. It's a lovely tradition.
Note* There is a picture of Mary latching baby Jesus onto her bare nipple, which is an excellent example of appropriate nudity in art for children and adults. Beware those with other views on breastfeeding and nudity if you are considering giving it as a gift or reading it aloud to a group.
Note* There is a picture of Mary latching baby Jesus onto her bare nipple, which is an excellent example of appropriate nudity in art for children and adults. Beware those with other views on breastfeeding and nudity if you are considering giving it as a gift or reading it aloud to a group.
5.0 out of 5 stars
gorgeous illustrations
15 Mar 2013
By awritermom
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The illustrations are colorful, detailed, vibrant, and touching. It depict Mary breastfeeding the baby Jesus (which is why I bought it). The text is faithful to the Bible story without being the actual Scripture.
Some of the illustrations remind me of icons with the details and decorative effects like gold-leaf. I can see why the illustrator has won numerous awards.
Some of the illustrations remind me of icons with the details and decorative effects like gold-leaf. I can see why the illustrator has won numerous awards.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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