The Christmas Story Book Review

It is not uncommon for people to think about Christmas in July but what about August?  Honestly, Christmas is something that I think about pretty regularly throughout the year and I love that my kids enjoy Christmas books no matter the month.  I have a Christmas book to tell you about today, The Christmas Story by Anita Ganeri.  I really love the watercolor illustrations, they are beautiful (kudos to Rachael Phillips). 

 I love this page with the angels.

 D looking over the pictures.

 E listening to the story.

This story is geared for children ages 3-5 but I think the age range is even broader than that.  It is a fairly thin book and short story.  Each page is accompanied by a rich watercolor illustration.  My children love looking at the illustrations while I read them the story.  The book opens with the angel telling Mary what is to come and ends with Mary, Joseph and Jesus leaving Egypt and heading home to Nazareth.  This is a great addition to our Christmas story collection.  This book also has a few extras in the back: a recipe for Christmas Biscuits (cookies), the music and words to "Away in a Manger", and a blurb about Christmas in general and angels.

Read more about this book and author below.

About this book
The birth of Jesus is recounted in The Christmas Story, a richly illustrated book with bonus activities geared for children ages 3-5.  Children will follow Mary and Joseph as they receive blessings from angels, travel to Bethlehem for the birth, are visited by wise men, escape from a cruel leader who wishes them harm and finally return safely to Nazareth.  Simple words make the story perfect for reading aloud.  The book also includes additional information about the Christmas holiday, the words and music to "Away in a Manger" and a recipe for cookies.

About the author and illustrator
Anita Ganeri is the author of more than300 books for children, including Alive, The Body Box, DK First Encyclopedia, Eruption and I Wonder Why the Sea is Salty.  Rachael Phillips is an author and illustrator of children's books.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Trafalgar Square Publishing for providing me with my own copy of The Christmas Story to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.