The All I'll Ever Want Christmas Doll and A Song In Bethlehem, Final Word

I chose to feature these two books simultaneously because they both have similar themes and are both new books with story lines different than the same old Christmas stories with Santa and elves and toys and reindeer in distress. But that's where their similarities end. The All I'll Ever Want Christmas Doll is set in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression while A Song in Bethlehem is set, well, in Bethlehem during the first Christmas. While The All I'll Ever Want Christmas Doll focuses more on family and sharing, A Song in Bethlehem focuses more on kindness, compassion and faith.

Which one do I recommend? Well, it depends on what you're looking for.

A Song in Bethlehem has a more serious tone and has more religious undertones since it is about the birth of Christ. The All I'll Ever Want Christmas Doll is a little more lighthearted and gets more in depth with the characters and will make you laugh. Because of this, if I had to only choose one, I would choose this book. Both, however, would make great additions to your book collection.

A Song in Bethlehem, Life Lessons

When I opened this book, I was expecting it to be just another rendition of the Christmas story, but by the time I was finished, I was surprised that it was much more than that. A Song in Bethlehem teaches us about forgiveness and faith. But the most important lesson I got from the book is the importance of kindness and compassion. In the book, Naomi steals a coin from the family in the stable. She is caught, and when the father (Joseph) realizes she is a child and a hungry child at that, he gives her food to eat instead of throwing her back into the cold. He allows her to look at and sing to the newborn baby, and when the family leaves the stable, he gives Naomi the flute that ends up changing her life. This important scene reminds us to find kindness in our hearts for everyone, even if they’ve done something to us. Naomi clearly felt remorse for what she did, and Joseph forgave her and acted with compassion. We don’t always know a person’s motives behind a certain act, and if we take a minute just to look instead of immediately reacting with anger, we may find that all that person needs is a little compassion.

I’m not saying not every person is good…there are a lot of bad people out there, and I’m not saying that we should justify why a person did something wrong and that it’s okay to do something wrong or illegal just because you’re hungry or just because something else is going on with your life. What I AM saying is that we are often very quick to judge and not give people a chance, and if we sometimes just paused and took a good look at the situation and demonstrate kindness, there may be a completely different outcome, and we may make a deep positive impact on that person’s life. Joseph demonstrated this type of kindness and gave Naomi a flute who discovered a hidden talent that ensured she would never have to beg for food again.

Spotlight on Marni McGee and Jason Cockcroft

About the author and illustrator of A Song in Bethlehem

Marni McGee grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and when she had her own children, she began writing children’s books mainly for their own enjoyment. She soon however, made a career out of it and has published over 11 books with more to come. In addition to A Song in Bethlehem, Marni has written picture books such as While Angels Watch and Forest Child and nonfiction books, including The Ancient Roman World .


Jason Cockcroft lives in Yorkshire, England and has illustrated a number of children’s books including The Christmas Tree Fairy and Daddy's Lullaby. He also illustrated the original British versions of the last three Harry Potter book jackets.

A Song in Bethlehem, Learning Activities

LANGUAGE/VOCABULARY BUILDING

Musical Instruments:
In the book, Naomi receives a flute and discovers a hidden talent she never had before. Talk about other musical instruments your child may be familiar with. Perhaps you or other family members play an instrument. If you have a CD with classical music, find one that features a flute to show them what the flute sounds like. Have them identify other musical instruments. I recently picked up Can You Hear It?a book/CD designed for 5-10 year olds with the a similar premise. I especially like this one because the book features art masterpieces and the CD has an accompanying piece of classical music where children are encouraged to identify the different instruments.

Animals:
There are a number of animals in the book. Go through and identify all of the animals, asking your child to say their name and make the “sound.”

Gifts:
The flute Naomi receives in the book is a special gift. Talk to your children about gift giving. Have them identify and describe a gift they’ve received or given. If they’re learning question words, try this format or something similar:
*Who gave the gift?
*What was it?
*When did you receive it?
*Where did you receive it?
*How did you receive it?
*Why did the person give it to you?

The Christmas Story:
This book is the story of the first Christmas. While the book never identifies the family in the stable as Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, it’s clear that that’s who they are. Retell the Christmas story with your child and then read A Song in Bethlehem again. Ask your child to identify the main characters from the story of Christmas from the three wise men to the child in the manger.

DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITY
*In the book, Naomi first steals from the family in the stable but is soon forgiven by Joseph. Naomi clearly feels remorse for her action. Children may ask why she received a gift even after she did something wrong. Discuss why Naomi stole in the first place and that sometimes desperation can cause you to do things you normally wouldn’t do. Also talk about the act of kindness Joseph displayed and the idea of forgiveness. To help your child make a connection, talk about a time your child did something he/she shouldn’t have done and how he/she was forgiven. Talk about a story in from your own life that demonstrates this.


ARTS AND CRAFTS
There are a number of activities to help your budding artist make connections from the book with arts and crafts. Here are just a couple:

Draw the story: Make a book by stapling blank paper together. Have your child retell the story in his/her own words through pictures.

Nativity Scene: Have your child draw the nativity scene, including all the animals found in the book. If you’re really crafty, check out this nativity scene crèche I found online. You can make it using pipe cleaners and yarn.

Do you have any ideas?

Check in tomorrow to learn more about the author and illustrator of this book.

A Song in Bethlehem, Overview

The second Christmas-themed book I'm reviewing this week takes us all the way back to the birth of Christ.
A Song in Bethlehem

Fast Facts:
Author:Marni McGee
Illustrator:Jason Cockcroft
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 11, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0375834478
ISBN-13: 978-0375834479


Review:

“Three men,” whispered Marta the Beggar. “As rich as kings, they were—in their turbans and fur-lined robes. Gold was on their fingers. Rubies hung ‘round their necks. Yet I saw them, with my own eyes, in a stable.” Upon hearing this, Naomi, a beggar girl, sets upon her journey to find these three wise men. While Naomi doesn’t find the three wise men, she does encounter a man, a woman, and newborn baby in a stable, and by the end of this magical night, Naomi receives a gift from the child that ensures she will never be hungry again.

While there are many children’s books out there that tell the Christmas story, A Song in Bethlehemtells it from a new perspective and gives us insight into what life was like in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. A short and simple, yet inspiring story, it teaches the importance of honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and faith.

In addition, Jason Cockcroft’s illustrations are stunning. I could feel the chill in the air and see the sadness, awe, and finally happiness on Naomi’s face as she progressed through the night. With details from the animals in the stable to the cookware by the campfire, I found myself being transformed back to Bethlehem as if I were a bystander in the stable witnessing the interaction.

I have to confess that when I first picked up this book, I was expecting it to be just another retelling of the Christmas story, but I was pleasantly surprised when I finished it and found it to be much more. This would make an excellent addition to any child’s bookshelf and would be sure to spark many questions and conversations about the life lessons it teaches.

Check back in tomorrow to get some reading tips and learning activities.

Schedule Change

I normally don't like to change my review schedules, but these two books were waiting in the mail for me when I got home today. I read them as soon as I could, and I knew I had to share them with you so you could get them in time to share with your children for the holidays.

Both of these books were just released in September of this year, so if you haven't had a chance to see them, be sure to check out my blog next week.

The books are:

• The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll written by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.
  Book description from Amazon:
  IT'S CHRISTMAS, AND NELLA is beside herself with excitement! She and her sisters have been given a real gift - a beautiful Baby Betty doll. But it's hard to share something you've waited your whole seven-year-old life for, and Nella grabs the doll for herself. It isn't long before she discovers that a doll can't do the fun things she and her sisters do together. So, as Christmas day fades, Nella shares it with her sisters. Set in the Depression era South, here's a heartwarming story that captures the essence of the holiday.
  
• A Song in Bethlehem written by Marni McGee and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft.
  Book description: ONE CHILL EVENING IN BETHLEHEM, young Naomi hears of an amazing sight: at the inn's stable, there are three men rich as kings, with rubies round their necks and gold on their fingers. Eager, Naomi rushes to catch a glimpse. But by the time she arrives, the men are gone. Yet Naomi discovers a different treasure: a baby boy, with parents kind and wise. And when she receives the gift of a flute from the baby and his family, her life is transformed forever and her world is full of music. It is a night full of wonders. It is the first Christmas. A Song in Bethlehem is a lyrical and stunning tale of the strength of love and compassion, filled with all the magic of Christmas.
  
  

Grab your copy and join me next week!