Book Review – We Believe in Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

Author: Karen Kingsbury
Illustrator:  Daniel Brown
Format: Hardcover w/ Jacket
Page Count:  40
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Publication Date:  October 2008
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712122
ISBN-13: 9780310712121

I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks to Lauren Wong at Phenix Publicity for giving me the opportunity to review Karen Kingsbury’s We Believe in Christmas.

Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is finally upon us.  The hustle and bustle of decorations, gift buying, and parties is enough to tire out the most ardent Christmas enthusiast.  As we’re in the midst of all the busyness, it is far too easy to forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.  Is it a happy holiday or a Holy Day?  That’s precisely the question Karen Kingsbury sets out to answer in this book.

As you read We Believe in Christmas, you will have the opportunity to observe a family as they get ready for, drive to, and then participate in the Christmas pageant at their church.  You’ll get a sense of the hurriedness throughout much of the story as you look at the expressions on everyone’s faces.  As the scenery changes on each new page, you’ll encounter many of the sights and symbols we typically associate with Christmas:  Christmas trees, carolers, nativity scenes, lights, etc.  In most stories the background scenery is just that, background scenery.  However, in this story, it is a key part of the message.  During the Christmas season, we’re able to encounter Jesus Christ in the things that are all around us, the tangible things we can see and hear.  As you read the story and look at the illustrations you’ll have a great opportunity to share the true meaning behind the sights and symbols of the Christmas season with your children.  Also, as you’re out and about and you encounter the sights, symbols, and sounds of Christmas in the real world, don’t let those opportunities pass you by.  Slow down and take a few minutes to share the true meaning of Christmas with your children.

Adults and children alike will be captivated by Daniel Brown’s wonderful illustrations.  I especially liked looking at the scenery outside the windows of the minivan as the family drove to church.  Karen Kingsbury’s writing is a joy to read as well.  The short poetic verses on each new page give a rhythm and cadence to the story that moves it along at a great pace and makes it fun to read.  This is yet another fine Christmas book published by Zonderkidz this year.  I’d encourage you to share this book with your children and more importantly the true meaning of Christmas behind the sights, symbols, and sounds you will encounter this Christmas season.

Karen Kingsbury has been writing since she was five years old.  She is one of the best-selling inspirational authors in America with over 5 million books in print.

Daniel Brown got his start tracing sports stars from newspapers as a child.  Thirty years later, he has had the opportunity to paint major leaguers and has had his work featured in many books and magazines.

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