Product Description

By silver stars and golden moon At break of dawn you came! Kiss your nose, those tiny toes On the day that you were born. The birth of a child is an occasion for joy, and when Jesus was born, the whole world rejoiced. This unique Christmas story lyrically evokes for children the excitement of the day they were born, and the wonder of the miraculous birth at the center of the Nativity story. Lush illustrations echo the simple poem in a dazzling celebration of birth - and of the baby born that very first Christmas.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89053 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780316523912
• Condition: USED - LIKE NEW
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
PreS–Although the illustrations depicting Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem and the birth of Baby Jesus make clear that this is a Christmas story, the simple text sings a universal hymn of anticipation and love from a parent to a child. (People were sleeping. We didn't care./Good news, we sang, our baby is here!/Our baby has come, our darling one,/Oh, the day that you were born). The sumptuous watercolor and gold-leaf illustrations, bordered with cherries, peacock feathers, flowers, and stars, portray an arid yet animal-filled landscape enlivened by the gloriously bedecked angels and kings. Of course, none of this finery outshines the little one, who easily holds center stage.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"... Lloyd-Jones's soothing, lyrical text expresses the universal love felt by parents awaiting the arrival of a new addition to the family. Numerous intimate portraits of the Holy Family, surrounded by realistic renderings of tranquil animals make this a fine volume for sharing. The gentle rhyming verses here may invite introductory discussion of not only the Nativity, but the joyous miracle of birth anytime of year." -- Publishers Weekly

"A brief, poetic text and stunning illustrations flow together with magically successful pacing in this exquisite retelling of the Nativity story... Though this is a Nativity story, its message of awe and transcendent love will also touch new parents welcoming their own babies or expectant parents awaiting a miracle child of their own." -- Kirkus

"the words are a litany of celebration and praise for the miracle of birth-and especially the birth of the Christ Child born in the manger long ago. But... [the words] can be said to any child, at Christmas or on a birthday. This is an absolutely gorgeous book. The illustrations... the gold inlays on each page make the pictures seem like illuminated manuscripts. Sacred pages for a holy Babe, for our holy children, the ones we love. I also celebrate the meaning behind `We Knew You'd Come.' Some things our hearts know, and have always known. What a divine gift this book is for us all." -- ChinaBerry

From the Back Cover
A lyrical celebration of the baby born that first Christmas--and of every child ever born. A classic, simple, retelling of the Christmas story that can be read at Christmas, and on every child's birthday, as well.

Customer Reviews

Gorgeous depiction of motherhood and the Christ-child
This is a lyrical celebration of motherhood and the baby born that first Christmas. As all good picture books should, the text and illustrations share equal portion in telling this story.

Award-winning author Sally Lloyd-Jones gives an intimate portrayal of the hope and anticipation held by Mary, Joseph and all those waiting for the Messiah to come. Her words are tender and passionate; they speak the heart of all mothers waiting for their precious little ones to be born. Coupled with Jackie Morris's gorgeous illustrations, Ms. Jones's poem becomes an awesome story of faith.

While mostly watercolor, the illustrations are remarkably bold and detailed. They depict Mary and Joseph's journey, their stay with animals in a stable, shepherds and angels, even the trek of the magi. The pages (and cover) are accented in gold (glitter on the cover). Celtic style borders are also used.

What I Like: Everything. The illustrations are amazing! This book would not be the same without them. The text is heartfelt, renewing a sense of awe in the birth of Jesus. Also, not many children's books emphasize the promise of Jesus, the messianic prophecies. This one hints at that, at the longing and yearning of the Jewish people for their Savior. It's wonderful.

What I Dislike: This not a dislike as much as an admonition: don't make this the only Nativity book in your child's library. While an excellent book, it requires much explanation, especially for younger children. The characters are never named. It's obvious who they are because of the illustrations, but someone who doesn't know the story might be confused.

Overall Rating: Very good!

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

What a beautiful book
This book is so rich and artsy...I love giving it as a gift to new mothers, or as a Chirstmas gift before the birth of a baby...a timeless story of the love that came down to earth and the connection that a mother feels to the precious gift of life!

Deeply lovely.
Anticipating the birth of a baby is a magical time, and every birth is a miracle. This wonderful book shows scenes of Mary and Joseph preparing for the birth of Jesus, and the text reflects their feelings of wonder and excitement:

"Little one, we knew you'd come.
We hoped. We dreamed. We watched for you. We counted the days till you were due. We waited. How we longed for you, and the day that you were born."

As you read along, watching Mary and Joseph travel to the stable and welcome the infant Jesus with loving joy, the words reflect not only their feelings, but the feelings of every parent waiting for their child's birth. This book is a warm and wondrous joining of the joy of Christmas and the joy of all births. Especially wonderful for new or expectant parents at Christmastime.