Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas ― Part of the "Circle of Wonder" Series

by Laura Alary, Ann Boyajian (Illustrator)

Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas presents Advent as special time for waiting and watching—paying attention—to the ways God comes to us.
 
Told from the point of a view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be.
 
This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world.

32 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2017

About the author

Many years have passed since Laura used to make her own books with manila paper, mucilage and crayons. Nowadays her books look much more professional, but the process of creating them is as much fun as it always was!

In her writing , Laura draws upon her background in Classics, theology and biblical studies, as well as her long-standing interest in ancient history, folklore, mythology, and science.

Her books are meant to teach and to entertain, but most of all, to encourage children to wonder about the world and to ask really big questions.

Laura's books include: All the Faces of Me (Owlkids, 2023); Here: The Dot We Call Home (Paraclete Press, 2022); Sun in My Tummy (Pajama Press, 2022); The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can Press, 2022); Breathe: A Child's Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time (Paraclete Press, 2021); What Grew in Larry's Garden (Kids Can Press, 2020); Read, Wonder, Listen: Stories from the Bible for Young Readers (Wood Lake Books, 2018); Look! A Child's Guide to Advent and Christmas (Paraclete Press, 2017); Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter (Paraclete Press, 2016); How Do I Pray for Grandpa? (CopperHouse, 2014); Mira and the Big Story (Skinner House, 2012); Victor's Pink Pyjamas (CopperHouse, 2013); Jesse's Surprise Gift (CopperHouse, 2012); and Is That Story True? (CopperHouse, 2010).

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

On par with Alary's other books on the liturgical year for children. She highlights true Advent themes very well (a season of fasting, not a season of Christmas decorating and cookie baking) and has some really lovely poetic versions of portions of the Christmas story. Would have gotten 5 stars had the illustrations been more historically accurate. (Poor, pale Mary would have been burned to a crisp under the Levantine sun!) For those who follow the Jesse Tree practice, it's mentioned in here, along with many other ideas for observing Advent. There aren't a ton of ideas for celebrating the twelve days of Christmas, however. Were it not for the adaptations of Bible passages, I'd have elided "Christmas" from the title.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book, "Look!", Laura Alary writes beautifully, helping children (and adults alike!) understand the Advent and Christmas story in a way I have never seen before. She beautifully weaves scripture and modern day in such a powerful way as to help us understand and honour the deepest of meanings in our Advent and Christmas Celebrations. She interprets the scripture stories in a way that is both easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. Her interpretation for the reasons we honour Advent help readers to reimagine how we can wait with wonder and meaning for Christmas Day. She asks the hard questions about life without offering easy answers such as:
We read stories about people in other places
and imagine what their lives are like.
Some of the stories are sad.
Why do some people have so much,
and others not enough?
The world is still not the way it should be.
The stories push us to ask hard questions:
What needs to change?
Is there anything we say or do that hurts others,
near or far away?
How can we change our ways?

Laura, thank you for this book. I can't wait to share it with my children and congregation.

[Michelle Thomas-Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for all ages! Laura Alary explains the liturgical season of Advent for all of us, "Advent helps us see and remember what is always true: In the darkness or in the light, God is with us." We never stop asking hard questions and this is a book that reminds us that we know where to find the answers....or where to continue asking the questions. We ask those questions in the context of our faith, within a faithful community. Look! also gives practical guidance in Christian practices from a mealtime prayer to how to reach out to our neighbors in faithful love. This is a book for every family!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new book I’m excited about is Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas by Laura Alary, Illustrated by Ann Boyajian.  Alary and Boyajian previously collaborated on a similar book for Lent and Easter, Make Room, which my kids also loved (my review of that book is here).

Alary describes the traditions of Advent (e.g. the Jesse Tree, the Advent Wreath) and what the season of Advent means. She explores what it means to wait by inviting us to look back, look around and look ahead. We look back at the people of Israel suffering in oppression but awaiting God’s action on their behalf. We look around, the way John the Baptist watched and waited for the time at hand and saw the Spirit descend like a dove on his Jesus after he baptized Him. We look ahead, the way Mary heard the angels word’s, consented and became pregnant with her savior and lord. And yet nine month she carried him (and 30 years raised him!). With Mary we learn to say yes to the things God may be calling us to.

Alary has practical suggestions of how we can step out and be more kindhearted and generous with others. This is what most excites me about this book. When my kids read Make Room they came away with a new appreciation for the liturgical season and the ways attempt to make more space for God in our lives. This book invites kids to pay attention and I wonder what they will see!

Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review

[Angela Cluney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Alary reminds us that the wonder and beauty of the Advent season brings us to the splendour of Christmas! Her poetic words bring us to a place of hope and joy! She captivates our attention as she shows us that life is filled with simple pleasures and gentle surprises that help illuminate the light of God that is within us all! As we reach out to others through our actions of love and peace, the light of God shines brilliantly for all the world to see! Thank you Laura for helping us remember that we are all connected and that together we can make a difference. I am excited for the possibilities of new traditions that "Look! A Child's Guide to Advent & Christmas" can bring into the homes of families this year and in the years ahead! I pray that those who read this beautiful book will share it with others so that others will know we do not walk alone!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skilfully crafted “Look!” which I won through Goodreads Giveaways gives children insight into the importance of Advent and Christmas through scripture, stories, memories and traditions. Through beautifully illustrated stories children are urged to let the light of Jesus shine through by sharing God’s love with family, neighbours and those less fortunate.

“Look! : A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas” is a marvelous resource and a wonderful learning experience for children as they discover the wonder and joy of sharing God’s love.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book looks at Advent and Christmas through a child's eyes. The viewpoint is religious, not "preachy" but rather it is sharing something special. It is just right for parents and little ones to share together. While too text heavy for beginning readers, more confident readers will be able to read and enjoy it for themselves.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to advent and Christmas. It was a little too text-heavy for my three and a half year old, but it will be a great book to have in our library to pull out and remind her (and me) why we prepare during advent and celebrate Christmas.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this little book that I read with my daughter. She loves Advent as much as I do, so we read this together this morning on the first Sunday and it had a lot of fun traditions inside that we can try.

[Emma Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was a table of contents. I think each chapter is to be read at the beginning of a week in Advent but we read one chapter a night so it ended with saying it was Christmas Day. I liked it. Not sure I would have us read it every year.