Stable Where Jesus Was Born

by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Susan Gaber (Illustrations)

This sweet retelling of the Nativity, told in cumulative rhyme, captures the excitement and anticipation of those who witnessed the birth of the Christ Child -- from Mary and Joseph to the barn cats and mice. Even the smallest listener will feel the warmth and joy of the Christmas season and the miracle it celebrates.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Animals, Holiday, Poetry

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures were not very appealing.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

We like this rhyming Christmas story.

12/2016 Read with Naomi.
12/10/23 Read with my preschool class

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet! A great book to read to children. It flows nicely, with rhyme and rhythm. It is beautifully illustrated that would keep a child and an adult wanting to read more. A nice book for the holidays or anytime.

[Aik Kielch · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have the Thanksgiving and Christmas versions of this book and neither are favorites. The forward/back story is just not appealing and confusing.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Jesus' birth is told in playful rhyme from their arriving at the stable, His birth, mentions of visitors, and back to the beginning. A cumulative story with beautiful illustrations.

[Desiree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cute book, but added in some information that is not in the Bible.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understood the poetic devices.
Not certain I need how many stable stories - lovely illustrations, focus on Mary and baby.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story with a good tempo (I think it's meant to be a poem), but nothing really stood out to me. I did enjoy the illustrations, though.

[BLDinMT · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork was pretty swell, but the writing/rhyming seemed repetitive and/or clunky to me. This was part of the Three Forks Community Library's Festival of Stories series.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emphasizes all the important parts of the Biblical Christmas story. The pictures are very nice. One thing I liked about this book is that the wise men are pictured on the very last page after the story had ended. In this way, I was able to talk to my kids about how they were probably not there the very night Jesus was born, but sometime before he turned two years old.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

School Library Journal says:
"Beautifully simple and maintains a natural rhythm, perfect for reading aloud."
I agree.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stylized illustrations and traditional Christmas story.

[Doree Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweetly illustrated small book about Christ's birth told in "House that Jack Built" style rhyme.

[Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas BOok!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the Nativity, told in rhyme and easy for younger readers to comprehend. The illustrations were nicely done and kept my boys intrigued.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book that is sort of patterned after the book "the house that Jack built." in the way it rhymes and flows.

[JaNeal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cumulative story/poem is simple and beautiful. I love how the Christ child is the center of the story--both thematically and structurally. It's a lovely addition to nativity books.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in ciasmus form, this sweet book mentions each person in the nativity story and the role they play.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful rhyming story of the nativity.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the repetitive rhyme in this retelling of the first Christmas. The pictures are also great to share with toddlers.

[Annette Pimentel]

Cumulative structure here is really well done so that you don't get irritated by having to recite the same line just a few too many times. In a few places the language was inverted to make the rhymes work.