Under the Star: A Christmas Counting Story

by Jane Yolen, Vlasta Van Kampen (Illustrator)

The miraculous and moving story of the birth of Jesus is presented to beginning readers through easy-to-read, rhyming verse accompanied by full-color illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas

24 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't understand the low popularity of this book. I think it's lovely, despite the fact that I'm not actually a Christian. Isn't only right that lots of people and other creatures would come to worship? I really like the patterned poetry text, the repetition, rhyme and rhythm that has been shown to be so helpful for preparing rugrats' brains to later learn to read.

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Adds too many other people ( mother's, father's, children - a crowd) gathers to see Jesus in the manger.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jane Yolen is a very versatile writer, and seems to have made a solid sub-career out of crafting unique counting books. This Christmas-themed numbers book fits in nicely with her others of the same concept. This would be a good way near Christmastime of teaching young ones to count, and the artwork is of high quality.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, basic story of the birth of Jesus. Refrain: Under the star, under the star. For the very youngest. The story is based on counting to ten the various animals and people who visit the manger.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a counting story based in the Nativity story. A star shines directly over the manger. Seeing it is one angel, two shepherds, three wisemen, four goats, and so on up to 10. Beautiful illustrations.