Vibrant illustrations in luminous, jewel-bright hues are the captivating attraction of this Christmas story about St. Francis of Assisi, who is credited with initiating the first living Nativity scene. In this fictional story, a shepherd boy befriended by St. Francis finds the cave that was used in the first Nativity re-enactment. Bianchi’s striking illustrations are computer generated, with watercolor effects that create shimmering colors. The darker illustrations of the Nativity scene in the cave have the look of stained-glass windows, with deeper hues and a sense of mystery. Moreover, he creates an interesting tension between traditionally depicted characters of the period and stylized shapes in the trees and leaves. The text, while readable, does not match the level of sophistication or innovation found in the illustrations. Two pages of related activities for families are included. (Picture book/religion. 4-8)
