An elementary-school Christmas pageant plays out with warm humor in Engelbreit's (The Night Before Christmas) holiday offering. The author's cherubic characters perform the Nativity story using rudimentary props that will trigger smiles: a robed Joseph with a comically fake beard pulls Mary in a red wagon outfitted with a donkey head, a rocking horse and a rubber duck keep watch in the stable, the newborn Jesus is a rag doll, and stuffed animals fill in for sheep. The narrative is a straightforward, pared-down version of the biblical tale, without dialogue, which leaves the pictures to showcase the children's personalities (two shepherds fight over a toy lamb, a prima donna's antics irk her fellow angels, and a costumed cow falls asleep as the Wise Men arrive). The Nativity tale is one of great things born out of humble circumstances, a theme that dovetails perfectly with the homespun staging of the children's production. Starred review on 10/1/16.
Publishers Weekly
A classic Sunday School Christmas pageant is acted out by a multiethnic cast of children in this Christmas offering in Englebreit's signature illustration style.The pageant begins with a little black girl as an angel reading the passage from Luke that announces that Jesus has been born. The text describes the traditional Nativity story as though a narrator were reading it, with the child performers coming on stage in costume as the story progresses. Mary is an Asian girl, and Joseph is a white boy with red hair and a fake brown beard. One of the wise men is black, and a chorus of angels includes several children of color. The children are dressed in charming costumes with appropriate details, and there are funny little incidents tucked into the illustrations, such as two shepherd girls playing tug of war with a toy sheep and a tiny cow asleep on stage at the conclusion. The girl playing the part of Mary uses a rag doll for baby Jesus, and the final page shows Mary hugging her doll tenderly under the shining star. Though almost every Christian Sunday school puts on a Christmas pageant, there are few picture books that cover this annual holiday event, especially titles accessible to preschoolers. Children preparing to be in a pageant will enjoy this, as will Engelbreit's many adult fans. (Picture book. 3-6)
Kirkus
On the title-page spread, a diverse group of children and their families enter a building hung with a large banner proclaiming Christmas Pageant. The rest of the book presents the traditional play as it unfolds on stage. The narration offers a simply worded version of the biblical story, following Mary and Joseph through Bethlehem to the stable where the child is born. Angels appear to the shepherds, who make their way to the stable, followed by the wise men. All kneel to worship the infant. Though there are no surprises in the text, the illustrations include a few unexpected and charming additions. Mary rides around Bethlehem in a little red wagon; the baby looks a lot like Raggedy Andy; and two shepherds have a tug-of- war struggle over a toy lamb. With the spotlight on the rounded forms of rosy-cheeked, costumed kids drawn in Engelbreit's signature style, this colorful picture book will please her adult fans while holding the interest of many children.
- Carolyn Phelan
Booklist