Only a Star

by Margery Facklam, Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

A poem describing the star that was present at the first Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Christian, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much glorification. The baby was born in a barn; it couldn't have been the Holiday Inn. Let's give Mary some credit, here. Giving birth in a barn is no walk in the park, so let's not glamour it up.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text itself doesn't tell the Christmas story. Instead, it's a series of poetic descriptions of objects and animals (such as a spider's web and doves in the stable) that the star was shining on that Christmas night.

The illustrations are beautiful, subtly portraying the events of the Christmas story as a background to the text.

Love the way the book ends.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry
Grade: 2-4

Poems or books that focus on the little things or take a new perspective are really beautiful. Throughout this book, the author focuses first on the star but then on all of the other animals. I didn't realize until the end of the book the amount of research and accuracy on the animals there was. These aren't your typical Christmas story animals but ones that would live around that area. You can read more about all the animals at the back of the book.

[Susan Birdsong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent children's Christmas story, putting the reader (or those being read to) into the setting of Christ's birth!

[Cara Frazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: k-4
Poetry

A fun poem about the birth of Jesus. The illustrations are very realistic and it has a theme of animals throughout the poem.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice, pleasant story about the “trimmings” that first Christmas morning. It includes back matter about each critter mentioned in the text.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and imaginings of some small creatures surrounding Jesus' nativity. Lovely and cozy, a sweet Christmas read.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre Poetry
Grade level 2nd-3rd
I loved the details put into this book for the illustrations. They really stood out like a picture. This book would be a great book for a private Christian school for lower elementary as it is about the birth of Jesus in the stable.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was the decoration for the first Christmas...only a star, but how it made the world glisten. Nice illustrations.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas picture books. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and the story is tender and sweet.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A description of the first Christmas decorations. Stars, scarabs, and straw just to name a few.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What were the decorations that first Christmas? Only a star, but it dazzled the whole world!

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about the first Christmas