Welcome to another Write a Review Wednesday, a meme started by Tara Lazar as a way to show support to authors of kids literature. Last time I looked at Sterling Publishing’s classic Christmas tale The Nutcracker, adapted by John Cech and illustrated by Eric Puybaret. This week, with Christmas only days away, I’m looking at DK Canada’s board book Nativity Story (a sparkle and shine book). I have to thank Chris at DK Canada for my review copy.
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The Christmas story is a familiar story in our house; we’ve read a few different versions. DK‘s Nativity Story is written in rhyme, making it a delight to read with the kids. The rhyming text also makes it easy for the kids to predict the next part of the story and to read along. The story starts right from Mary’s angelic visit and goes up to when the three wise men come to visit. The story also includes little side quesitons like: How do you think Mary felt when she heard the news? or What gift would you like to give Jesus? These were a great way to discuss the story and involve the kids more, though I’m not sure how Jesus would feel about receiving a Pirate Ship as a gift from my 5 year old son. The questions appear subtly in the story so they don’t interfere and can be ignored if you just want to read the book, but I loved asking them and my kids loved answering them.
The illustrations look like images from a kids playset, making them approachable to young kids. My kids enjoyed pointing out subtle elements in the illustrations too, like the baby ducks in the barn or where the star appeared in the sky. As a Sparkle and Shine book, each page in the story had some sort of shiny element to it: the sky or the stars or the angel’s wings. This added a magical feel to this very magical story.
The Nativity Story is a large format board book with a padded cover. The sturdy board pages make it ideal for even the youngest readers to enjoy. My kids enjoyed listening to the Nativity Story and my seven-year old daughter enjoyed reading it (and asking the questions) to her two younger siblings. This is a great story to read together during the Christmas season.
To add copy of the Nativity Story to your own library, visit Amaon.ca If you’re looking for other Christmas stories you can see some of our family favourites on my December review post on No Time for Flashcards. And for a great selection of other children’s books, read some of the past Write a Review Wednesday posts.
Have a very Merry Christmas and we’ll see you in the new year for a whole new set of Write a Review Wednesday posts.
Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 7), while building my business and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier?
Another day, another thought...or two. 
Posted by Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Best Christmas Books « Another day, another thought…or two. on December 21, 2010 at 8:50 am
[…] The Nativity Story – This large sturdy board book is great for even little hands, with simply, rhyming text and shiny, uncluttered images. […]