The Most Precious Gift

by Marty Crisp, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Trailing behind the caravan that is following the eastern star, in search of the newborn king, Ameer and his dog Ra try to find a tribute that will compare to those of the merchants and kings, and, while in Bethlehem, discover the best gift of all.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 2006

About the author

Marty Crisp lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania a town about forty miles west of Harrisburg in Lancaster County where she writes as a correspondent for Lancaster Newspapers. She is married, has four grown children and is very fond of dogs, a primary subject in much of her writing. As a writer primarily for children, she has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Maxwell Medallion awarded by the Dog Writers Association of America.

Reviews

[Sarah Poling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictionalized biblical narrative that adds a young boy who travels with the Seer group, and wonders the whole trip what he, a boy with nothing, would give the King. When the others have such special and expensive gifts. At the moment of meeting the babe, he chooses to leave his only possession, his dog, to protect the child and his family. Mary is grateful for this gift, as the others gave out of much, but the boy gave his most precious gift to the most precious one.

The message of the book is about giving your all and it is a sweet tale that will promote discussion.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy travels with the wise men's caravan to see the newborn King. He has nothing to give the baby, he worries. When he sees the babe, lying in a manger with no guards or palaces, he gives a true gift of the heart. The greatest gift he could give--all that he has. I thought the author's note at the end was fascinating. Tons of artists have portrayed the nativity or the Savior with a white dog. Whether symbolic or legend or real, it's an interesting fact.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting historical fiction. It is interesting that the author got the idea from some old paintings. It allows the reader to be aware that life was a little more complicated at the birth of Christ.

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for traditional artwork, and these illustrations remind me of chalk pastels. I love the blending, the soft lines, and I really did enjoy the book. I like our main character and his dog. And I like how the idea came about for the author.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Christmas book. Lovely illustrations and the perfect Christmas story about making a sacrifice for what you believe in.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his dog join the entourage of the Magi.

[Coleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story, as far as cheesey chrismtas stories go. still got me a little teeny bit emotional

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the author's note at the end which explained the story behind the 'white dog'. The story was rather slow and there just wasn't much meat to it. It was nice to see a story involving black (Africans maybe?) in the nativity scene although i found it odd that Mary and Joseph also appeared to be Africans. However, this historical inaccuracy in the illustrations of Mary and Joseph could also be seen in the majority of paintings on the nativity where they appear to be white Englishfolk. In the end and above all else, the text lacked depth. Simply put it was boring until the last few pages. It did however follow a Christmas theme of Charity and sacrifice which i highly revere in Christmas stories, and for that reason it gets 3 stars.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned from the author's notes that the book was inspired by dozens of 14th-16th century paintings of the nativity that showed a dog. The dog continued to appear in later paintings such as Christ Healing the Blind Man ( El Greco, 1560) and The Supper at Emmaus (Titan, 1535). A symbol? Perhaps....a real dog? " for God who willingly became a man, what better companion could there be?"......author's notes. I have learned much from children's picture books. Beautiful book!

The dog's name was Ra (I think it is pronounced like "Ray").....as in the "Son's" Ra.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a young shepherd boy and his beloved dog. Well-written, beautifully illustrated, but I just was aggravated by the self-sacricing aspect of the story for the same reason it will probably be embraced by every Sunday school teachers everywhere.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

superior illustrations and the meaning of the Christ coming as man couldn't be any clearer

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Kinda knew it would go where it did. Nice illustrations.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, sweet story. Also refreshing to see a holy family of color.

[Sally Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. Interesting author's notes. Widow's mite theme.