Star Bright: A Christmas Story

by Alison McGhee, Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrations)

This perfectly angelic—and perfectly charming—Christmas story offers a creative twist on the classic tale of the nativity, from the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of Someday .

The angels are a baby is soon to be born! One small angel can tell this baby is especially special by the way the other angels are dashing and fussing about. And holy moly, are their presents extraordinary. The little angel wants to give a present too, but, what could she possibly offer that is as worthy as the others’ gifts?

At a loss for original ideas, she peeks over the side of her platform and spies something going on in the desert—a caravan of kings on camels, lost in the dark. And suddenly she knows she most do something, and does the only thing she can. Because the greatest gift of all? It can’t be wrapped. It can’t be bought. It can only be selflessly, joyfully given. And it ends up being the perfect gift for that little baby…the shiningest gift at all.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Religion, Christian

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Alison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.

Reviews

[Bookslut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't love religious children's literature, but I thought this was a lovely little book with beautiful illustrations about the Christmas story.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just checked out some books for story time at our churches Nativity event. It's a sweet book, with nice illustrations.

[Denise Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little angel wonders what gift she could give to the baby Jesus. She ponders wind, rain and music but finally realised that the wise men are lost and need a star to follow. This is a lovely book with very little text and gorgeous illustrations which links together different elements of the nativity story; angels, star and wise men.

Although it doesn’t tell all of the Christmas story and isn’t completely accurate, it’s a great way to explore a part of the story.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new angel wonders what she can give an important new baby who is to be born at the end of December. She finds a unique and special one using her talents. I find this Christmas story very charming. It has beautiful illustrations and uses the Christmas story without being overly religious in nature. It could be used to teach about individual talents.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. It's made up of course, but it's just plan silly for a bible story. Also don't know how I feel about the cross genre authoring (she's also written a book about witches?) Idk, just not a fan.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little angel is distressed because she can't figure out what she can give in celebration of the new baby being born.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Christmas story and a great length even for babies.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visually beautiful book and a lovely story.

[Kylie Moffat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute story about an angel wanting to give a gift to the Christ child. Very touching and perfect for christmas.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO CUTE. The little angel is looking for a gift to give Jesus, and ends up becoming the star that everyone follows to find him. Gave me chills when I realized what her idea for a present was <3

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute, but it turns the Christmas story into a cutesy little fairy tale. It's centered around the nativity, but isn't really about Jesus.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE -- so important.

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not necessarily how the nativity story goes, what an idea to bring your whole self as a blessing to Jesus.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a simple story but we just keep wanting to read it again and again.

It reminds me of The Shiniest Star

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Christmas story about a little angel on Christmas day.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely art but my brain thinks something pretty awful happened to that angel!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of an angel who wants to give a gift to Baby Jesus.

[April]

Sweet snd cute. A perfect Christmas read.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet picture book of the gift of the Christmas star.

[Laura (booksnob) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Heaven is a flutter with the celebration of the Christ child's birth and everyone has a wonderful gift to share. The newest angel wants to give a special gift too but she is not sure what, so she searches Heaven and Earth to find it. She finds the perfect gift for all to enjoy.

Star Bright is a delightful, endearing children's book full of love and joy and the beauty of God's earth. McGhee has written a wonderful story for the wee babes and preschoolers and for their parents and grandparents who are sure to love the meaningful text and beautiful illustrations.

I adore the artwork in Star Bright. The colors are vibrant with purples and blues and the paintings make me feel warm and loved. I read this aloud to my teenagers, they loved it. The story is timeless and everyone can relate to finding the perfect gift for the love of a baby who changes the world.

This is a huggable book and will be much loved by children everywhere.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating should actually be 3 1/2 stars. If it were for text alone, I'd give it 5 stars. The story is simple, beautifully told--the newest angel needs a gift for the Christ child soon to be born. But what will it be? I liked the colorful illustrations too, except for the use of modern images for the angels. The newest angel is dressed in an aviator's hat and coat, vest, and pants--not at all what a person of that time would wear. And she was viewing events on earth through a video screen. Too anachronistic for me. What was the purpose in that? The story was a tearjerker all by itself. Why not illustrate it with traditional angels? So I would have given this book 5 stars if not for those anachronistic illustrations. Still, recommended for the story.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year a story of another small angel is presented to readers. Star Bright: A Christmas Story (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, September 30, 2014) written by Alison McGhee with illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds opens with big news. Like leaves falling from trees, paper announcements drift through the heavens reading,

"The Herald GOOD NEWS Prince of Peace on His Way"


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I had not grown up on "The Littlest Angel," which is basically the same story.
In both cases a small angel is trying to come up with a gift for the baby Jesus, and the final result is identical in both cases, although details differ along the way.
The illustrations are cute, though, and it's an interesting addition to the list of Christmas books which tie directly into the Nativity story.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Question: What to give a baby, a very special baby when the Magi are already bringing presents, birds are bring music and the winds are contributing also? The angel brings light through a magnificent star - to guide all the travelers to visit the newborn baby.

Lovely simple pictures convey an ageless story. A great book to share with everyone.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is going to bother some people that it isn't completely true in the biblical sense, but if they can let go of that, they will love the sweet, simple story with a wonderful message and delightful illustrations (by the amazing Peter Reynolds). I loved how gifts of nature were described, the angels journey, and I loved the end.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a new angel who struggles to find a gift for the Christ child. Peter H. Reynolds' delightful illustrations show a racially diverse group of angels. This might be nice to read to my church kids.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The newest angel wants to give the special baby, born in a stable, a special gift. All the gifts she can think of seem to be taken by others. Her solution is brilliant.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet read...like the little drummer boy but from a different view

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet revamping of the Christmas story. Akin to The Little Drummer Boy except this time the newest angel wishes to leave the Baby Jesus a special gift. Great gift for young believers!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! So sweet.