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The Christmas Story
Retells the Christmas story using words from the King James Version of the Bible, accompanied by the illustrator's illuminations.
- GenresChristmasPicture Books
24 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2025
The Christmas story is retold through quotations from the King James Bible and artwork done in the style of an illuminated manuscript in this lovely seasonal picture book from English artist Isabelle Brent. Beginning with the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel visits Mary, the narrative includes all the traditional elements, from the coming of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ in the stable, to the visits of the shepherds and Three Wise Men to the holy baby, concluding with the flight of the holy family into Egypt, and their eventual return...
I was familiar with Isabelle Brent's work before picking up The Christmas Story, largely through the illustrations she has contributed to various fairy-tale collections done by Neil Philip, as well as a number of his fairy-tale picture books. I find her paintings lovely, although the human faces are sometimes unsatisfying to me, largely because they are too small and indistinct. Here I was less bothered by that, and found moreover, that the style was well-suited to the subject and text, taken from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This is a beautiful little presentation of the Nativity story, done in a classic, medieval style, and is one I would recommend to picture book readers seeking such a retelling.
I was familiar with Isabelle Brent's work before picking up The Christmas Story, largely through the illustrations she has contributed to various fairy-tale collections done by Neil Philip, as well as a number of his fairy-tale picture books. I find her paintings lovely, although the human faces are sometimes unsatisfying to me, largely because they are too small and indistinct. Here I was less bothered by that, and found moreover, that the style was well-suited to the subject and text, taken from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This is a beautiful little presentation of the Nativity story, done in a classic, medieval style, and is one I would recommend to picture book readers seeking such a retelling.
December 20, 2017
Beautiful
12/19/17 Read with Naomi & Julia
12/19/17 Read with Naomi & Julia
January 5, 2010
Beautifully illuminated!
December 10, 2010
This book follows the text of Luke 2. The illustrations (in the medieval illuminated manuscript style) are unique and lovely.
April 30, 2012
Beautiful! Used this during our study of illuminated manuscripts! H and N are now illuminating every little scrap of paper or note they can get their hands on. :)
November 14, 2012
Artist Isabelle Brent's nativity story offers excerpts from the King James Bible illuminated in medieval style. The sumptuous borders and extensive use of gold leaf add majesty to the tale.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews