Long Ago, On a Silent Night
by Julie Berry
illustrated by Annie Won
Date: 2019
Publisher: Orchard Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 45
Format: e-book
Source: library
Long ago, in a dusty barn, a mother took a child in her arms, wrapped him snug, made his bed in the hay. He was her gift that Christmas Day. There's no sweeter gift than a life so new. My best gift, little one, is you.
In this poignant and lyrical story by Printz Honor recepient Julie Berry, the miracle of Christmas and the promise in every new child come together in a luminous celebration of unconditional love and hope. With tender, incandescent illustrations by Annie Won, the wonder of the nativity story and the marvel of every baby come alive in a wholly extraordinary book for families everywhere.
A special, beautiful keepsake storybook to read, share, and cherish every Christmas season with the ones you love.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
Long Ago, On a Silent Night takes the Nativity as its starting point and weaves a lyrical narrative that connects two families thousands of years apart.
While this is a book that celebrates the more religious aspects of Christmas, it's also a book about love and welcoming a new child. I think it will probably appeal to parents because of this. But there are some cute touches throughout that tie the two time periods together (I won't spoil those for you) that kids will probably enjoy seeing.
The illustrations are lovely and luminescent. Annie Won has managed to capture light beautifully on the pages.
Overall, this is a strong Christmas offering. While it doesn't actually tell the Nativity story in detail like some other picture books (relying on readers' previous knowledge of the subject instead), it finds a clever way to relate the present-day birth of a beloved child to the birth of Jesus.
Quotable moment:
Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Overall: 4 out of 5
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