Star Bright: A Christmas Story

PreS-Gr 1—In the heavens, the angels are excited; a baby is about to be born. There are to be lots of gifts for the infant, but the littlest angel can't figure out what she should give him. Wind? No, that's a gift of the sky. Rain? No, that's a gift of the clouds. Finally, she thinks of the perfect gift for anyone who might be lonely or lost, and she transforms herself into a very bright star in the dark sky. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations depict a traditional first Christmas on Earth, with wise men, camels, and shepherds against the backdrop of a dark Bethlehem night. But up in heaven, the angels are multiethnic winged children dressed in long white split-tailed jackets, waistcoats, and culottes, frolicking on shiny platforms and consulting flat-screens on stands to get news from below. The newest angel is a small, red-haired child who sports an old-fashioned pilot's helmet with goggles. Somehow, this works—the angels do indeed look otherworldly, and the winsome style of the illustrations complements the simple, sweet text. A different and quietly charming take on the Christmas story.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library