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The Christmas Star
Follow the shining star as it guides shephards, kings, and all the animals of the forest to the stable where the Holy Child lies.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1993
98 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Pfister
568 books182 followersMarcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.
Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.
For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.
Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.
Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.
For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.
Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 14, 2016
A beautiful children's Christmas book about the nativity and star that guided the wisemen. I particularly love the way the book describes how a group of stars formed together to guide the wisemen, almost like an arrow. Very colorful with glittery stars. A great one for your Christmas collection.
December 19, 2021
Its amazing how many Christmas stories have the exact same name ... well then again maybe not so much. Anyway, this is perhaps not the best book about the Christmas star but it has sweet illustrations with the star in metallic so it shines out on every page, something sure to delight young children. This book has had a place on our shelf for many years.
December 5, 2018
When all the stars in the sky gather together, forming one brilliant star that points the way to the marvelous child said to have been born, everyone from shepherds to kings, not to mention all the animals of the wild, hasten to follow it. Eventually they come to the modest stable where this King of Kings, this Prince of Peace, lies sleeping in a manger...
Originally published in Switzerland as Der Weihnachtsstern, and first translated into English that same year (1993), The Christmas Star has been out of print in the USA for some time, and was only reprinted earlier this year (2017). It presents a lovely, gentle retelling of the Nativity story, with author/illustrator Marcus Pfister's signature use of hologram foil stamping in the artwork. Recommended to anyone looking for simple but engaging picture-books about the Christmas story.
Originally published in Switzerland as Der Weihnachtsstern, and first translated into English that same year (1993), The Christmas Star has been out of print in the USA for some time, and was only reprinted earlier this year (2017). It presents a lovely, gentle retelling of the Nativity story, with author/illustrator Marcus Pfister's signature use of hologram foil stamping in the artwork. Recommended to anyone looking for simple but engaging picture-books about the Christmas story.
July 6, 2017
This easy and simplified retelling of the Nativity is a very loose adaptation of the story that can be found in the Bible. Although one portion is correct and another will be completed in the ends of time the rest of the story itself has been given a free license that although beautiful makes it differ widely in its original retelling.
Otherwise the story is beautiful and easily worded for the youngest readers if one can get past the fact of the changes. Furthermore it explores the concept of the Christ being born and what His birth signifies as well as the fact that God answers prayers with miracles sometimes to help us know or understand what He has in store for us.
Although the illustrations are beautiful, richly detailed and charming there is a subdued texture to them to keep the reverence of the season. The foil portions were added to help capture the eye, especially to the more emphasizable portions such as the very important star or the glittering riches of foreign kingdoms. My only illustration concern is that some glitter-type item was not used for Christ.
Most definitely a quick read and one to treasured....
Otherwise the story is beautiful and easily worded for the youngest readers if one can get past the fact of the changes. Furthermore it explores the concept of the Christ being born and what His birth signifies as well as the fact that God answers prayers with miracles sometimes to help us know or understand what He has in store for us.
Although the illustrations are beautiful, richly detailed and charming there is a subdued texture to them to keep the reverence of the season. The foil portions were added to help capture the eye, especially to the more emphasizable portions such as the very important star or the glittering riches of foreign kingdoms. My only illustration concern is that some glitter-type item was not used for Christ.
Most definitely a quick read and one to treasured....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2023
The Christmas Star is a retelling of the biblical magi from the Gospel of Matthew by the same creator of The Rainbow Fish. Unfortunately the effective technique of applying silver foils in strategic locations on the hazy watercolors was not enough to carry the poorly interpreted nativity story.
An overly ornate font made it difficult to read along with words that were far above the comprehension of the audience ( agitated, radiant, mysterious, penetrated, etc.). An unnecessary and brief introduction of animal companions distracted from the focus on the magi and their gifts. Never once mentioned that the Holy Child was Jesus.
While I do absolutely love the use of the foil technique, it did not necessarily add to the story in the way that it did for The Rainbow Fish as it was used inconsistently and in ways that were not interwoven with the story. That in combination with the way the story was told unfortunately made it a one star for me.
An overly ornate font made it difficult to read along with words that were far above the comprehension of the audience ( agitated, radiant, mysterious, penetrated, etc.). An unnecessary and brief introduction of animal companions distracted from the focus on the magi and their gifts. Never once mentioned that the Holy Child was Jesus.
While I do absolutely love the use of the foil technique, it did not necessarily add to the story in the way that it did for The Rainbow Fish as it was used inconsistently and in ways that were not interwoven with the story. That in combination with the way the story was told unfortunately made it a one star for me.
January 6, 2026
Last year I read this book and was so unimpressed with it and the lack of alignment with the Biblical account of Christ's birth that I put the book in the recycling- then realized later it was a library book oops! Got it out again this year to see what was so bad about it and yeah, not one I'd recommend. Stars moving in the sky, three kings meeting baby Jesus, a lion Laying with the sheep in the stable...we'll leave this one at the library next year.
December 20, 2017
Copyright 1993. The story is about the shepherds, kings,& wild animals following a very bright & shiny star to the baby Jesus.
An ok story. The text isn't overly long & age 6 & up should enjoy it.
An ok story. The text isn't overly long & age 6 & up should enjoy it.
January 4, 2022
The illustrations with the glittery foil on them are the best part. The story is not my favorite they way it turns a group of stars into one large moving star isn’t quite how I would explain it. It also has the shepherds and the kings bearing gifts arriving on the same night.
May 8, 2022
Very nice pictures and beautiful golden stars, domes and wise men's treasures etched onto the book. The story of the Christmas star may not be the most accurate but the message leads to the birth of The King of the Universe.
December 24, 2023
Umm... I'm fairly certain the author wasn't really listening when someone told him one time about the story of Christ's birth, and then he decided, "got it. Cool. Something about a star and kings. I can make a kids book out of that."
January 8, 2018
A shining star guides kings, shepherds, and forest animals to the stable in Bethlehem to witness the arrival of the Holy Child - King of joy and Prince of peace.
December 2, 2018
Follows the shepherds and wise men as they are guided to baby Jesus by a star.
December 29, 2018
The shepherds, kings, and animals follow the shining star to the stable where the Holy Child lies. A fairly simple story with a bit of a different take on the Christmas Star. Lovely illustrations.
November 16, 2019
Just as mesmerizing as it was the first time I read it when I was a child.
December 20, 2020
Beautiful illustrations with somewhat biblical story line.
December 7, 2021
I feel weird about the stars joining up into one big star thing. That was way too fantastical for the story of Christ's birth.
January 4, 2022
Stunning. Have had this book for YEARS, likely bought the year it was published (1997) since my child was born in 1996, but don't really remember really reading it. Highly Highly Highly recommend
December 5, 2022
Good little story, love the artwork. Especially the shinny parts.
March 23, 2026
libro letto in italiano. molto bello!
December 7, 2012
Synopsis: "Follow the shining star as it guides shepherds, kings, and all the animals of the forest to the stable where the Holy child lies. Now available in a sturdy board book edition, this glittering Nativity, by the author of "The Rainbow Fish," is a perfect Christmas gift for the entire family to share."
My Review: This is a nice Christian story for Christmas. You get to follow the star, which doesn't often take center stage. I enjoyed reading it to Munchkin. The issue is the illustrations, they are very artistic, watercolor like but they aren't bold enough for young children to be able to focus on. There is some shimmery spots through out to catch their eyes but they still can't really focus on something.
My Review: This is a nice Christian story for Christmas. You get to follow the star, which doesn't often take center stage. I enjoyed reading it to Munchkin. The issue is the illustrations, they are very artistic, watercolor like but they aren't bold enough for young children to be able to focus on. There is some shimmery spots through out to catch their eyes but they still can't really focus on something.
July 4, 2015
The shepherds were visited by the angels and they wanted to go visit the new born baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. But, they did not know how to find him. They wished they were stars so they could see the baby. They were looking at the sky when the stars became one and they began to follow it to the child. 3 kings also followed the star to visit the baby. The animals also followed the star to welcome the baby. When they all got to the stable they were in harmony. They then got to see the baby.
I like this book. It wouldn't be for school but it is a good one for home. A different version of the Christmas Story.
I like this book. It wouldn't be for school but it is a good one for home. A different version of the Christmas Story.
November 22, 2008
I wasn't wild about this one and so I'm not going to be giving this one away. This is the author of the Rainbow Fish and the pictures are really pretty and it is about the Christmas story.
There's really no reason to change the Christmas story - there's wonder in the story without embellishment. When Christ was born, the lion and lamb didn't lay down together. The world was still full of chaos and violence. But it had hope - for the first time, true hope. I'm just a bit disappointed.
I might just donate it to the library.
There's really no reason to change the Christmas story - there's wonder in the story without embellishment. When Christ was born, the lion and lamb didn't lay down together. The world was still full of chaos and violence. But it had hope - for the first time, true hope. I'm just a bit disappointed.
I might just donate it to the library.
January 1, 2015
Sweet story. Soft illustrations. My favorite part was the telling of how this child brought together those who else wise were divided: humble shepherds and wealthy kings.
Christ truly is the Prince of Peace.
Christ truly is the Prince of Peace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 25, 2008Pfister, Marcus K-1st
June 6, 2009
Favorites:
"When Jesus comes Down the Chimney" he takes the most favorite material thing.
"Sanity Clause" mind control for those with too much mind talent.
"When Jesus comes Down the Chimney" he takes the most favorite material thing.
"Sanity Clause" mind control for those with too much mind talent.
October 7, 2016
except for the shiny illustrations...pretty typical
December 16, 2014
The story is told by this who see the Christmas star. Each page includes a reasonable amount of text, and eye catching sparkly bits.
December 29, 2015
Nice interpretation.
January 31, 2016
great book
November 23, 2013
Fiction; Juvenile/Christmas
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews