The Christmas Story

by Robert Sabuda

Overview

Hope and joy radiate from the pages of Robert Sabuda’s new pop-up book celebrating the Nativity.

Long ago in the town of Bethlehem, on a bright and starry night, a baby was born, a child who was called the son of God. Announced by an angel, born in a humble manger, laid in a bed of straw, visited by shepherds and wise men—the age-old, awe-inspiring story of the birth of Jesus is lovingly brought to life by master pop-up artist Robert Sabuda in six gorgeously imagined scenes, culminating in a 3-D manger sheltering humans and beasts, guarded by an angel above. Glinting with touches of gold and pearlescent foil, The Christmas Story is a visual feast, a holiday treasure to be shared with the whole family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763683269
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/27/2016
Pages:	12
Sales rank:	25,168
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.70(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Robert Sabuda is internationally acclaimed for his stunning pop-up books, including America the Beautiful and The 12 Days of Christmas. He is also the illustrator of Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen. Robert Sabuda lives in New York City.

Hometown:

New York, New York

Date of Birth:

March 8, 1965

Place of Birth:

Pinckney, Michigan

Education:

B.F.A., Pratt Institute, 1987

Website:

http://www.robertsabuda.com

Editorial Reviews

09/26/2016
As in 2011’s Chanukah Lights, the elaborate pop-ups that Sabuda crafts in this striking pop-up retelling of the Nativity story are constructed almost entirely from plain white paper, save for a few gold accents. Over six spreads, Sabuda shows Mary and Joseph dwarfed by towering mountains as they travel to Bethlehem, animals peering from around a stable wall at the newborn baby, and razorlike beams of golden light accompanying a spinning star that towers over the wise men below. Solid backdrops in creamy shades of mauve, peach, green, and blue create sharp contrasts with the white paper constructions, and although Sabuda opts for minimalism over intricacy, the resulting structures have a stark power. Ages 5–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

The renowned paper engineer offers a retelling of the Nativity story...Each scene is accompanied by a paragraph of well-written summary that's carefully integrated into the backgrounds, making the text a natural partner to the exquisite art. This memorable interpretation will appeal to collectors of pop-up books and Christmas stories and to Christian families who would like a special version of the Nativity story to share on Christmas Eve.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

As in 2011’s Chanukah Lights, the elaborate pop-ups that Sabuda crafts in this striking pop-up retelling of the Nativity story are constructed almost entirely from plain white paper, save for a few gold accents...the resulting structures have a stark power.
—Publishers Weekly

Sabuda is no stranger to holiday pop-up books...The paper engineering is, as always, impressive.
—Horn Book

The detail and fullness of each scene brings the Nativity to life in this book that is sure to become a family holiday treasure in homes around the world.
—My Storytime Corner (blog)

His visionary take on the Nativity is destined to become a Christmas staple.
—BookPage

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
Gr 1–4—Six very simple Christmas scenes, from Mary's visitation by an angel to the Nativity in the stable, are illustrated by Sabuda's marvelous and intricate paper engineering. The clean and clear background colors give a lovely framework for the white and gold pop-ups. Of course, these books are too fragile for general library use, and the central spread of the shepherds and sheep will be especially tempting. Children may push a little too hard to get the full effect, thus ripping the book. VERDICT For special sharing and displays, this captures the wonder of Christmas.—Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

★ 2016-08-17
The renowned paper engineer offers a retelling of the Nativity story. The appealing cover is done in metallic lavender-blue with Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus in white silhouette, adorned with gold haloes. This visual theme—midrange pastel shades as background, white figures, and gold highlights—carries through the entire volume, providing a refreshing palette for a Christmas story. Each of the six pop-up scenes is astonishing in complexity and breathtaking to behold. The first scene is the Annunciation, the second shows Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, and the third is the stable and the manger with baby Jesus. Following scenes show the shepherds and their sheep and then the wise men following the star, with the last scene showing all the characters at the stable and an angel floating overhead. The angels are particularly beautiful, arranged so they appear to be flying as the spread is opened. The white paper used for the moving parts is quite sturdy, and the scenes fold back together fairly easily, so this book will last if handled carefully. Each scene is accompanied by a paragraph of well-written summary that’s carefully integrated into the backgrounds, making the text a natural partner to the exquisite art. This memorable interpretation will appeal to collectors of pop-up books and Christmas stories and to Christian families who would like a special version of the Nativity story to share on Christmas Eve. (Pop-up picture book/religion. 4 & up)

Kirkus Reviews