Book Review: This Is the Stable, by Cynthia Cotten, Illustrated by Delana Bettoli, Henry Holt Publishers; ISBN 0805075569
Its not always easy to find an excellent Christmas Book. Every year there are new versions of the nativity story in many formats. The best new books are seasonal, winter related fare, and most of the Christmas books seem outright sappy.
This book is an exceptional exception. In the story is told in rhyming verse, focusing first on introducing either the person or the thing and then on telling their part of the story, with the humble stable “dusty and brown” reemphasized at the end of each verse. For example:
“These are the shepherds, tending their sheep, out in the fields while the town was asleep. These are the angels, a glorious throng, who sang to the shepherds a wonderful song: ‘Be not afraid-go to Bethlehem town, to the quiet stable, dusty and brown.’”
The illustrations are beautiful, and like many children’s books, are so central to the impact of the story. The pages are filled with fascinating details that reflect a respect for the visual interests that children have.
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