On That Christmas Night

by Lois Rock, Alison Jay (Illustrator)

Overview

Alison Jay has illustrated many books for children, and her beautiful paintings are instantly recognisable. In On That Christmas Night, see the story of the birth of Jesus interpreted in her own unique style, using vignettes, borders and full page art to accompany a sincere retelling of the Nativity. There are many intriguing people, animals and landscapes to look at along the way, bursting with new details to find with a young child, as you share the story of that special night.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745965093
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	09/21/2018
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.27(w) x 11.69(h) x (d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

LOIS ROCK has established an international reputation as a children's writer. Specialising in Bible stories, prayer books, and information books, her books have been translated into over 30 languages with sales of 4million copies.

Alison Jay graduated with a first-class degree in illustration from the London College of Printing. She worked in animation before moving on to children's illustration. She is well known for her beautiful children's books illustrations and has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway prize four times. She won the Transworld Children's Book Award in the AOI Images Best of British illustration. Alison works in alkyd paint, which is a quick drying oil paint. Sometimes, she coats the illustration with layers of varnish to give the illustrations an aged crackled effect.

Editorial Reviews

A beautifully illustrated version of the Christmas story.- Church Times

"The story is very simple and easy to understand for children. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and really bright and colorful. They make the story stand out and really capture the kids attention. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story and how it was easy for Cristian to understand. Overall, if you are looking for a book that shares the Nativity story in a way children understand this may just be the book for you." - Tina the Bookworm

From the Publisher

09/26/2016
Would the townsfolk of Nazareth whisper about Mary expecting a baby and her betrothed Joseph not being the father? Rock imagines the scenario briefly in her fresh and compelling retelling of the Nativity. (“ ‘Tut tut,’ and ‘Oh dear,’ they gossiped. ‘Whatever will the poor man do?’ ”), which nonetheless stays respectfully true to the events as described in the Bible. Rock’s plainspoken language and portrayal of the biblical characters as fully realized humans guided by their deep faith in God will appeal to a range of readers. Jay’s (The Twelve Days of Christmas) oil portraits—rendered with her stylized flair and bordered by images of flowers, vines, animals, angels, and stars—add a cozy, dreamlike element to the mix, especially in a scene that shows sheep streaming across rolling hill and angels crowding the evening sky as they converge on the manger. Ages 5–9. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

The story is very simple and easy to understand for children. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and really bright and colorful. They make the story stand out and really capture the kids attention. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story and how it was easy for Cristian to understand. Overall, if you are looking for a book that shares the Nativity story in a way children understand this may just be the book for you.

Tina the Bookworm

10/01/2016
K-Gr 3—The humble town of Nazareth sets the stage for this beautifully illustrated book about the birth of Jesus. Mary is an ordinary girl awaiting marriage to her betrothed when an angel tells her she will be the mother of God's son. Soon Joseph receives divine word to take care of Mary as well as the child destined to show God's love to the world. After Jesus is born, the narrative focuses on the reaction from the shepherds, King Herod, and the wise men (called "the strangers") to the newborn king. Some political background is given, paving the way for parents to discuss Jesus's place in history with their children. The gravity of Jesus's arrival is never lost, and the book ends with the family's departure from their home for his safety. Jay's soft color palette and gentle, sloping figures with their simple expressions are perfect and match the poetic tone of the book. VERDICT This lovely primer on Christ's birth offers more than a simple happy tale and is a worthy purchase for any library where Nativity stories are sought after.—Rita Law, Los Angeles Public Library

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