They Followed A Bright Star

by Joan Alavedra, Ulises Wensell (Illustrations)

This adaption of a German nativity story offers readers a brightly illustrated picture book about the shepherds and kings who were summoned to a Bethlehem stable to prepare for and witness the birth of Jesus Christ.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 1994

Reviews

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Christmas picture book shares the story of the birth of Jesus from the point of view of the shepherds who saw the bright star. The shepherds were tending the flock at night when an angel appeared to them and told them to follow the star. As they were traveling they also encountered others who had seen the star - a man tending the well, a fisherman, a farmer, and a pair of winemakers. All of these minor characters had been instructed by the angel to do their own parts to play important roles later on in the life of Jesus. This story might be a bit long and complex for younger readers, but I like that this book shows different points of view and touches on the notion that we each have our own special gifts and talents that are important in God's world and we need to be patient and do the best we can. According to the book's jacket - "Joan Alavedra wrote a poem in Barcelona in 1943 for his five-year-old daughter when she asked for a poem from the point of view of each of the figures in the creche. Since the work was composed in an atmosphere of war, he ended it with a hymn to peace and love. Later the cellist Pablo Casals set the poem to music and it became the oratorio El Pessebre (The Manger). This was Alavedra's contribution to the Peace Initiative, in which he, Albert Schweitzer, and others, struggled for world peace and against nuclear armament."

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inaccurate in that the kings visit the new baby Jesus so quickly — and yet I really loved this story. It was very sweet, beautiful illustrations. As long as you, the parent, know your Bible and can tell your children how that part isn’t right and that this is clearly a fictitious perspective of what could happen (it centers on shepherds who are told by an Angel to go visit the new Messiah), it’s still a wonderful story about doing your best work where you’re planted. Not all holy work means to be the one visiting baby Jesus. Some people are told to tend to the wheat, fish and prepare the wine. Loved that message in here.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a deeply thoughtful, very beautiful story about the first Christmas, told from the perspective of the shepherds. There's a lot going on here, so I might read it a second time, to try and piece together everything. That being said, it's not hard to read. I think I'm just noticing there is a lot of depth. 5/5 would recommend!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ages: 4 - 8

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