The Christmas Story

September 10, 2012
Smith (Noah’s Ark: The Brick Bible) retells another Bible story using Lego bricks, beginning with the Annunciation and ending with young Jesus and his parents settling in Nazareth. Each page contains a Lego illustration, with the author’s customized details (the three magi, for example, wear head coverings, and one sports a snowy-white beard), and a few lines of straightforward text. A preface by Rev. Wanda Lundy of New York Theological Seminary suggests ways for parents to discuss the tougher aspects of the story, such as Herod’s order to kill all children under the age of two (“Always be honest... simple and brief answers are perfectly adequate”). An activity at the end encourages rereading and attention to detail. An offbeat winner for Lego fans. Ages 3–6.

October 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 1-Smith creates the world around the Christmas story including the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity, Epiphany, and the Holy Family's settling in Nazareth in LEGO blocks (the LEGO group does not sponsor, author, or endorse the book). Color pictures depict each scene with the text at the bottom of the page. The pregnant "brick" version of Mary, the angel Gabriel, and block-headed baby Jesus may bring a few unintended giggles from readers. A letter to parents from Rev. Wanda Lundry, director, Doctor of Ministry Program at New York Theological Seminary, discusses the issues that arise from the Christmas story in more detail-such as Mary's immaculate conception and King Herod's orders to kill all children younger than two. Not for everyone, but definitely a different take on the familiar story.-Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library

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