The Best Christmas Pageant Ever [Picture Book Adaptation]

by Barbara Robinson, Laura Cornell (Illustrator)

"Hey Unto you a child is born "

Meet the Herdmans--they lie, cheat, and love to give clonks on the head. They are, without a doubt, the worst kids in the history of the world. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus--it's all news to them. So they're convinced that the Wise Men should bring pizza and that the Angel of the Lord is straight out of a comic book. Everyone worries that this year's pageant will be horrible (just like the Herdmans ), but they are sure to make it the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

Adapted from the beloved novel of the same name, this sparkling picture-book version is perfect for younger children. They will delight in the antics of the terrible Herdmans, who surprise everyone when they capture the true meaning of Christmas.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Christianity

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2011

About the author

I grew up in a southern Ohio river town -- Portsmouth -- and that small town atmosphere has affected most of my writing.
My mother, widowed when I was three years old, taught school for forty-nine years in that same small town, and her major (indeed, only) extravagance was books. I grew up with, and quickly adopted, the notion that reading was the only way to fill up every scrap of loose time you could snatch.

I had the benefit, as well, of a wide variety of aunts and uncles and cousins, plus the extended family so common to small town life -- the neighbors, friends, teachers, bus drivers, mailmen, local heroes and local neâer-do-wells, and even a local blacksmith...great stuff to feed the imagination.

I began writing very early -- poems, plays, stories -- and just never quit. I attended local schools and then, being both book-struck and stage-struck, found a college -- Allegheny College -- where I could satisfy both passions.

I've been a short story writer, with some forty-fifty stories in McCall's, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, etc.; a playwright; an occasional poet, and finally and most happily, an author of children's books...happily, because there's no greater audience than boys and girls who read books and demand that those books be the most exciting, the most mysterious, the most touching, the funniest...the Best.

I live and write in a suburb of Philadelphia, and I have two daughters -- Carolyn, who is a nurse, and Marjorie, who is a sixth grade teacher and at home now with my grandchildren Tomas and Marcos, and all these people read books like crazy!

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We recently read The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson and although I wasn't overly enamored with the book, I thought I'd give this story a try, too. Inadvertently we got the picture-book version of the story, which is actually just fine by me.

The story introduces us to the Herdman family and we learn how terrible they are. This story shows that they redeem themselves in a small way and turn a virtual guaranteed disaster into a wonderful pageant experience for all. I didn't love this story either, but it does have a bit more charm than the first book we read.

Overall, it's a good story for the Christmas season and we enjoyed reading it together. Still, I won't likely pursue reading the chapter book version of this story or The Best School Year Ever, although if our girls pick it out, I'd be willing to humor them.

[Honora Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting books from the library and realizing it's not, in fact, the novel version but the picture book version. 💀 Even so, I enjoyed it!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and touching! I recommend watching the movie if you want a longer story.

"In the candlelight her face was all shiny with tears-awful old Imogene , in her crookedy veil, crying as if Christmas had just come over her all at once."

[Ang Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book! I bought this to go with a birthday gift for my niece. I need this on my bookshelf for future grandkids. Precious!

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's a bit weird is that I think there are two versions of this title under the same record here. I read a picture book of about 40 pages which appears to be different from the novel of over 100 pages. Anyhow...

I did very much enjoy this one. I think most people know a family like the Herdmans, a wild bunch of children that are often dirty and destructive. In this story those children take over the church Christmas pageant and the results were pretty heartwarming. By breaking some traditions the Christmas story takes on renewed life and is somehow even more powerfully communicated.

Very sweet and touching, I teared up just a bit.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The wonderful novel does not translate as well into a compressed picture book-length story.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christmas story. Can't wait to see the movie.

[Owen and Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the chapter book, but not this one. It wasn't written young enough for little readers.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the "novel" version of this book several times. Until this Christmas, I did not realize there was a children's book version. Once I saw it, I had to read it to my twins.

I was NOT disappointed. Robinson is able to condense the novel into a colorful kids book with enough details to remain true to the novel. The character descriptions were brilliantly done, with the illustrations providing the corresponding images beautifully.

While I loved reading this to my kids, what I loved most was it led to discussions about the children and about Christmas. It was wonderful to see their young minds at work processing the story and characters.

This book is a delightful read. We will be reading it again. If you 1) love the novel, 2) have kids you want to experience the book with, or 3) both 1 & 2 apply, I highly recommend this book.

[Rachel Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The watered-down version of the Christmas classic, this edition just doesn't do the original justice. There is no time to get to know the characters, and the storytelling isn't as engaging. The humor and shock-value of the original version are lost, and it reads more like a Sunday School lesson than anything else.

[Faithann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the movie of this book as a child and loved it. A year or so ago, I read a different edition of this book and it brought back fond memories of the movie. This year I thought I would take a look at the picture book and again, it brought back the feelings of watching that movie as a child. And although I did like the other book much better, you just can't go wrong with this story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book version would be good for younger kids, but the longer book has much more story to it. This wasn't as funny, engaging, or charming. The thing I missed most was how deeply they had to explain the Nativity story so that the kids weren't confused. It did depict how it might have looked it reality, though.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent picture book adaption by the author of the older, popular children's novel about the awful Herdman kids taking over the Christmas pageant. Laura Cornell's illustrations are perfect, capturing the rottenness and tenderness of the characters.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Barbara Robinson was able to make her hysterical all time must read classic into a picture book shows how talented she is, not that the original didn't show that already. Laura Cornell's colorful and silly pictures great added to this transition.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book version of the children's novel is nearly perfect. The enthusiasm of the Herdman children is contagious. I m sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it, as several classrooms of children have missed out on this wonderful holiday read aloud.

[Shinemoos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adapted picture book version is really short. The interpretation without more background information of the family and the transformation can’t easily go deep and wide. I will try the novel later.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the paperback edition as well as this children's illustrated version I just found. Love the pictures! and the very sweet, funny story!

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't care for Laura Cornell's style of illustration.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shortened story with wild pictures. The story was too short and the pictures too wild. Hard to get the meaning on both fronts.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute fun story. The kids liked it. We had a couple laugh out loud moments and those are always sweet

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book version of the children's novel. Hysterical.

themes: bullies, Christmas, plays, suprise

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This condensed version of the story still covers all of the points that make the story what it is. Really nice if you want to read the story to younger children.

[Kendra]

The picture book version of one of my favorite Christmas books. Excited to read it to the kiddos!

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A storybook of the popular chapter book of the same name.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great picture book adaptation of the classic. Fun to read aloud, kids think the Herdmans are hilarious.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Christmas read aloud of all time. A cute story about not judging a book by its cover.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly sweet and funny story of small town, small church life, and the true meaning of Christmas.

[Erma Jean Caston-Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story for children and adults alike!