|
The world is stuck at midnight. People have turned from God and covered their land in darkness deeper than night. All the children are sleeping, and all the parents are sad. But God loves this world. And God sends a baby—born in a manger—to bring morning light to the darkness. And God sends angels to awaken the children .... Here is a uniquely beautiful Christmas book and CD—a story with words, images, and carols that families will tell and sing again and again. Includes bonus suggestions for ways families and groups can use the story and songs to create lasting Christmas traditions.
Angels and All Children: A Nativity Story in Words, Music, and Art ANNOTATION A retelling of Jesus Christ's conception and birth featuring music and portraying the world's children as the first to receive the good news.
SYNOPSIS The world is stuck at midnight. People have turned from God and covered
their land in darkness deeper than night. All the children are sleeping, and all
the parents are sad. But God loves this world. And God sends a baby-born in a
manger-to bring morning light to the darkness. And God sends angels to awaken
the children ....
Here is a uniquely beautiful Christmas book and CD-a story with words,
images, and carols that families will tell and sing again and again. About the
Author
Walter Wangerin Jr. is a nationally known storyteller and
the bestselling author of books for children and adults, including Probity
Jones and the Fear Not Angel (a Publisher's Weekly "Best Book of
the Year"), In the Beginning There Was No Sky, and The Book of
God. Wangerin lives with his wife in Valparaiso, Indiana. FROM THE CRITICS Publishers Weekly Wangerin (previously paired with Ladwig for Probity Jones and the Fear-Not Angel) envisions a musical stage production of the Nativity, to be performed by families as well as church and school groups. The premise may offend many readers: because they have "turned away from God" and rejected His commandments, "the people" are living in darkness, their children unable to wake from sleep. But when God sends Jesus into the world, the people experience a great light and renew their faith. Ladwig's oils are suitably theatrical, but all in all, the results here are off-key. Ages 7-12. (Aug.) FYI: A CD containing a dramatization of the text and songs is included. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal Gr 4-6-This lengthy retelling of the Nativity story begins with God's decision to send the dark, faithless world a savior ("`No, no, this is not good,' he said. `It's time to make time tick again, time to turn the land from night to morning.'" It includes Gabriel's visit to Mary and her incredulous response ("-I can't have [a baby], on account of, I'm not married"). Joseph's initial reaction "to put her away from him" ("I hate this. Oh, but I have to do it") is mitigated when Gabriel again visits and persuades him to change his mind (Joseph giggles). Incongruously, the denouement pictures the baby Jesus in the manger surrounded by contemporary children. While this title represents an evangelical point of view, it is repetitive, anachronistic, and heavy-handed.-S. P. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
|
