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The Christmas Story
Share the true meaning of Christmas with your children this holiday season. This simple but poetic text brings to life the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
First published in 1952, this Little Golden Book adaption of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story is a perfect gift for the holidays.
First published in 1952, this Little Golden Book adaption of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story is a perfect gift for the holidays.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1952
71 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Jane Werner Watson
321 books36 followersJane Werner Watson, born Elsa Jane Werner was an American children's author. She also wrote under the names Elsa Jane Werner Watson, Elsa Jane Werner, Jane Werner, Annie North Bedford, Monica Hill, Elsa Ruth Nast, W.K. Jasner, and A.N. Bedford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 6, 2021
A summarized retelling of the main events of the Christmas story. The tale is given in larger words than usually are in a Golden Book but it’s still going to be easier for a small child because of the beautiful pictures and the shorter attention span. I have some early memories of following the pictures in this book while my parents read aloud from the real Bible story, as well.
The story is not interpreted, simply summarized. It would be suitable for any denominational preference.
The story is not interpreted, simply summarized. It would be suitable for any denominational preference.
July 5, 2017
A wonderful book that allows the beginning reader to be able to get to learn the Nativity without having to try to translate the older tongue of the King James Bible. Although it is a summary of the Nativity thus skips over a bunch of the story that leads up to the Christ's birth there are also a few areas where Bible verses are used that add their own special touch.
What makes this book so wonderful is that the pictures are so beautiful and realistic in most parts. You can feel that Mary, joseph and the rest of the Nativity cast are acting out the story yet again for the season while the details of their clothes and faces helps to ease readers that these very important people were and are people just like us.
So if you don't mind setting down the Bible for younger crowds another book you can add to a Christmas traditional reading so the youngest may follow even if they are just pointing at the pictures. Follow-up with the Bible version once the little ones are in bed and everyone can definitely participate in the retelling of the "Wonderful Story".
What makes this book so wonderful is that the pictures are so beautiful and realistic in most parts. You can feel that Mary, joseph and the rest of the Nativity cast are acting out the story yet again for the season while the details of their clothes and faces helps to ease readers that these very important people were and are people just like us.
So if you don't mind setting down the Bible for younger crowds another book you can add to a Christmas traditional reading so the youngest may follow even if they are just pointing at the pictures. Follow-up with the Bible version once the little ones are in bed and everyone can definitely participate in the retelling of the "Wonderful Story".
December 27, 2008
Disclaimer: I usually review children's book based more on what my children think of the book and less on what I think of the book...
My children really like this book!
My children really like this book!
December 13, 2020
A wonderful simple retelling of the birth of Jesus, highlighted by wonderful illustrations. I read this book as a child and then shared it with my children. Recently purchased a new copy to share with my grandchildren. They love it too.
December 15, 2020
I like that at the end that Jesus was holding the lamb. It looked so cute. Just like Juliet. But a boy.
December 19, 2020
#132 of 2020
#3 of 2020 Christmas / Holiday Reads
#3 of 2020 Christmas / Holiday Reads
July 26, 2016
Jane Werner, The Christmas Story (Golden Press, 1952)
I was certainly the wrong person to read this one to the Bean—it's a hand-me-down from my wife's family—given how antipathetic I am to religion, but then I was relieved when the book simply would have failed to live up to even my barest expectations of pre-lit even if I were a foaming-at-the-mouth young-earth creationist. The obvious flaw in the book, which is listed on the title page as being “told by” Jane Werner, is that she starts off trying to put the story into her own words (i.e., to make it simpler for the pre-lit set), but she abandons that concept roughly a quarter of the way through and simply starts quoting. Going back and revising for one approach or the other might have made it acceptable, at least until you get to the end. For obvious reasons, this being a pre-lit book, it dances around some of the things that would raise uncomfortable questions, but... why bring up Herod at all, you know? And then, well, the story just ends. I know Golden works in a strict 24-page format, but you couldn't have planned a little better than that awful summary on the last page? Come on, now. This has the stink about it of Golden playing to its bible-belt constituency rather than putting this to the editorial-process screws. *
I was certainly the wrong person to read this one to the Bean—it's a hand-me-down from my wife's family—given how antipathetic I am to religion, but then I was relieved when the book simply would have failed to live up to even my barest expectations of pre-lit even if I were a foaming-at-the-mouth young-earth creationist. The obvious flaw in the book, which is listed on the title page as being “told by” Jane Werner, is that she starts off trying to put the story into her own words (i.e., to make it simpler for the pre-lit set), but she abandons that concept roughly a quarter of the way through and simply starts quoting. Going back and revising for one approach or the other might have made it acceptable, at least until you get to the end. For obvious reasons, this being a pre-lit book, it dances around some of the things that would raise uncomfortable questions, but... why bring up Herod at all, you know? And then, well, the story just ends. I know Golden works in a strict 24-page format, but you couldn't have planned a little better than that awful summary on the last page? Come on, now. This has the stink about it of Golden playing to its bible-belt constituency rather than putting this to the editorial-process screws. *
March 19, 2019
Genre: Picture books- Religious picture book
Awards: None
Audience: Ages 2-4
A. This book qualifies as an easy to read picture book because of the amount of words used to tell the story that coincide with large illustrations. The story is also broken down into language that a very young child would understand and also be interested in.
B. A visual element highly used in this book is line and perspective. The pictures overflow onto the pages after each other, therefore continuing the train of thought and making the readers' eye follow along. Color is also used to highlight and illuminate things the author is trying to emphasize.
C. This book would be good to use with a child during a one-on-one story time to share a simplified version of the Christian's christmas story.
D. What could Mary and Joseph not find? A place to sleep.
Awards: None
Audience: Ages 2-4
A. This book qualifies as an easy to read picture book because of the amount of words used to tell the story that coincide with large illustrations. The story is also broken down into language that a very young child would understand and also be interested in.
B. A visual element highly used in this book is line and perspective. The pictures overflow onto the pages after each other, therefore continuing the train of thought and making the readers' eye follow along. Color is also used to highlight and illuminate things the author is trying to emphasize.
C. This book would be good to use with a child during a one-on-one story time to share a simplified version of the Christian's christmas story.
D. What could Mary and Joseph not find? A place to sleep.
February 18, 2012
The edition I had (from way back in the last century) had a totally different cover. The cover image had Mary holding the little baby Jesus. He was wrapped in a yellow blanket. Mary was a very pale woman wearing a red dress with long sleeves and draped in a blue cape trimmed in gold. She's got the hood of the cape up, covering her hair. At the bottom of the illustration, you can see some hay, as if Mary is standing right next to the manger.
(Of course, I don't remember all those details. I'm looking at an image on another website as we speak.)
This was not a very popular Christmas book. Sure, I was raised Catholic, but I preferred Santa Claus and Frosty to Jesus.
(Of course, I don't remember all those details. I'm looking at an image on another website as we speak.)
This was not a very popular Christmas book. Sure, I was raised Catholic, but I preferred Santa Claus and Frosty to Jesus.
December 30, 2013
My husband and I read this to my 4-month-old son Alaric on his first Christmas morning. It was a simple yet beautiful retelling of the Christmas story for young children. I'll admit that I did giggle when Mary "brought forth her son". If only labor were that easy!
August 22, 2009
I loved this book. I wore it out from use. I had to buy another copy when I was a grown-up.
November 22, 2010
Ahh, this is a sweet book illustrated by the talented Eloise Wilkin.
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July 27, 2011Mine's a different edition though.
November 17, 2011
Awesome book for young ones, my kids ages 2 and 5 want this book read over and over throughout the whole year.. do your kids a favor and get your children this book :)
June 20, 2012
Absolutely beautiful illustrations of the Blessed Virgin!
March 27, 2013
Good straight forward telling of the Christmas story!
November 20, 2014
A beautiful little golden book telling of The Christmas Story of Jesus' birth.
December 12, 2015
My great-grandma gave me this book. So far, I just like to carry it around and I'm not real interested in letting anyone read it to me. (I'm 13 months old)
December 14, 2017
Copyright 1952. My copy is from 1971. This is a Little Golden Book.
I adore this gentle telling of Christ's birth. Beautifully illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.
I adore this gentle telling of Christ's birth. Beautifully illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.
December 31, 2022
This is a child's version of the first Christmas story. Much of it is almost right out of the Bible, but it was shortened so that even young children could understand it.
Eloise Wilkin illustrated this book in a lovely way.
Eloise Wilkin illustrated this book in a lovely way.
January 1, 2023
I bought this book for my seven year old grandson so he would know the true reason for the Christmas season. He really enjoyed it.
December 3, 2016
This Little Golden Book, first released in 1952, features a traditional re-telling of the Christmas story accompanied by beautiful classic illustrations. If you are looking for a straightforward biblical narration of the events surrounding Jesus’s birth then this is definitely one to consider. My daughter loves it, but it is possibly more suited to a slightly older age bracket as there is a lot of detail – more than seems suitable for my three year old anyway.
“For a child is born this day in Bethlehem – a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
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January 3, 2016I wanted a really straightforward version of the nativity story from the Bible, and this one was perfect. It was first published in 1952, and the illustration style certainly reflects that. We read it yearly as part of our "12 books of Christmas" tradition, one per night from Dec 13th to the 24th.
July 16, 2017
I knew this beginning nativity book would still be a bit much for my newly 2 year old but this was great to use for looking at and sometimes reading it sometimes just telling our one 1 sentence description for each part. I look forward to revisiting this one every year.
April 5, 2012
A great christmas story good for grade 4.
September 23, 2013
I liked how this book made the Christmas Story so simple. It is perfect for small children because the language they use is so easy to understand.
January 17, 2015
Excellent book for all children to read and also adults
I could read this book to anyone
This a great story and also good drawings
Children will enjoy it as well as adults
I could read this book to anyone
This a great story and also good drawings
Children will enjoy it as well as adults
December 15, 2015
A more detail-oriented children's book, for older children, perhaps elementary aged? Nothing elaborate but makes the story clear yet not overly simplified.
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October 2, 2016wouldn't be able to read in a public school setting
tells the story of Baby Jesus and Christmas
tells the story of Baby Jesus and Christmas
November 28, 2016
My kids love the bright illustrations in this book, and the story is well paced and clear, while still maintaining that King James style that is so culturally familiar to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews