Long Ago, On a Silent Night

September 1, 2019
Parallel stories in verse and image connect a contemporary child's arrival with that of the Christ child. Berry's debut picture-book text offers readers moving, graceful verse in the voice of a present-day new parent linking the birth of a child with Jesus' birth. "Hoof and feather, hide and beak-- / Some say the animals began to speak / Their love for the child. Could it be true? // We will whisper our love for you," reads the verse, with accompanying digital illustrations casting the same baby and parents both in modern times and in the "long ago" biblical era. The pages are busy, sprinkled with lots of extra stars, and some of the imagery is downright mystifying--why is there a city perched on the baby's head? But in a refreshing turn (as compared to many Nativity picture books), family members are depicted as people of color. The father has brown skin and Afro-textured, black hair while mother and baby have brown, wavy hair, and light-brown complexions. The contemporary setting is urban, and at the book's end, historical and modern worlds merge in Won's illustration depicting the Wise Men seeking directions from police officers in front of brownstones and a camel hitched to a fire hydrant. While the art style can seem labored or even at odds with the spare, elegant text, this is a picture book that many will cherish as part of holiday traditions. Joyful, joyful. (Picture book. 3-8)

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October 7, 2019
Berry and Won nimbly interweave a modern infant’s familial reception with the story of Christ’s birth. In consistent end rhyme, text draws on the legendary tale, each phrase ending with an italicized nod to the modern child (“Long ago, and far away/ A baby was born on Christmas Day.../ This wonder was seen by a lucky few./ I see a miracle in you”). Images layer and juxtapose the two stories: in one spread, desert-crossing travelers and camels look out at a guiding star from the left; at right, a skyline represents the modern family’s city home. Won’s dewy illustrations evoke the nostalgic feel of a CGI-animated holiday short film as characters in a range of skin tones move through celestial swirls, the modern family celebrates Christmas amid twinkle lights and decor, and animals celebrate the Christ child. A story of welcome, brimming with joy. Ages up to 3.

September 15, 2019
Preschool-G Berry, best known for her award-winning young adult books, here presents a nativity story that links the biblical tale with the early days of a multiracial family in a fairly modern but unspecified time period. The text, which at times is a bit singsong, juxtaposes the two events in words and pictures. As the modern family brings their baby home, saying, "I see a miracle in you," long ago and far away, a mother holds a child: she "wrapped him snug, made his bed in hay / he was her gift that Christmas day." Both families sing to their children, learn from them, and love them. Unless readers are already familiar with the Bible story, a point or two can be obscure?"Simeon and Anna paced the floor," for example?but the art offers links, when, with a turn of the page, we see the new child's grandparents. Won's bold pictures are full of energy and delight, and tiny touches?stars here, wind chimes there?add to the appeal. These families, transcending race and skin color, radiate love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)