The Story of Christmas

October 10, 2011
Delicate paper-cut illustrations provide a lovely, solemn backdrop to the King James Bible's account of the Nativity story. Strongly influenced by Renaissance artwork, Dalton's illustrations are very much in keeping with her work in her first children's book (Katherine Paterson's Brother Sun, Sister Moon). As shepherds, wise men, and angels gather to honor the birth of Jesus, Dalton sets her tableaus against black backgrounds, which both focus attention on the story's major players and make logical sense given the nocturnal setting of much of the story's events. The iconic nature of Dalton's scenes is ideally suited to the traditional Biblical translation used. Ages 4â8.

September 1, 2011

The Nativity story from the King James Bible serves as the text for this engaging interpretation done in exquisite cut-paper–and-watercolor illustrations that stand out against dramatic, black backgrounds.

Dalton's intricate illustrations are cut from paper and then hand-colored to fill in textures and details. Many of the illustrations employ mirror images at each side as in traditional paper-cutting art, with a single focal element showcased in the center. Other formats vary the perspective, including a dramatic overhead view of Baby Jesus in the manger full of hay and a complex procession of multiple characters in panels outlined in organic tree-limb shapes, illustrating the Flight into Egypt. Many of the compositions consciously echo medieval illuminations. Traditional symbols for Mary (roses, lilies and rose of Sharon) are worked into the illustrations, and roses decorate the endpapers as well. Though the overall look of the cut-paper illustrations is dramatic, the faces of the people tend to look sad or disengaged throughout the story, especially in the Christmas Eve scene in the stable. Another issue is the apparent advanced age of Joseph, who is bald and has a white beard, in comparison to the youthful Mary. Though this disparity has historical roots in apocryphal literature and early Christian art, it may feel odd to modern children.

The downcast faces of the people and angels and the old-fashioned language of the traditional text serve to distance readers. The "good tidings of great joy" are missing from this otherwise visually stunning work. (Picture book/religion. 4-8)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

December 1, 2011
Grades 1-3 Dalton, who beautifully illustrated Brother Sun, Sister Moon (2011), a St. Francis story by Katherine Paterson, here uses her distinctive cut-paper artwork to tell the Nativity story. Using text from the King James Bible (chapters and verse not specified), the text begins, In the days of Herod . . . there was a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph. What follows is the familiar story, with angels and inns, shepherds and wise men, ending with the flight to Egypt and, briefly, the Holy Family's return. Dalton's paper-cutting technique, a Pennsylvania German folk-art tradition called scherenschnitte, allows her to play with various motifs, particularly flowers, leaves, and angels' wings. Set upon an ink-black background, the flora and fauna seem three-dimensional. Slightly less successful are the people, whose faces, in particular, lack the sophistication of the rest of the art. That's a small blemish, however, in such a lovely treatment. Those wanting a classic version of the Christmas story will find it here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)