THE STAR OF CHRISTMAS

A sleepy child, addressed by the ornaments on her Christmas tree, teaches them and young readers about the true meaning of the holiday.

In this pleasant, handsomely illustrated picture book, a little girl overhears the ornaments on her Christmas tree arguing about who is most special, or the true star of Christmas. Soon the ornaments decide to ask the child to declare who is the Christmas VIP. Is it China Doll, full of sparkle and shine, or Gift Box, hiding a surprise inside? The magical Jolly Old Elf, or the merry and bright Silver Bell? Candidates also include increasingly viable choices, such as the cuddly teddy bear (who speaks of representing beloved family and friends of Christmas gatherings), a Wise King, representing charity, a Gentle Dove symbolizing peace and even the Crystal Angel who tops the tree. The girl keeps trying to tell them who the true star is, but is interrupted by the decorations until she finally points to a small ornament hanging on the bare broken branches near the tree’s bottom. It’s this child, she whispers, held in a simple wooden manger, who is the true star of Christmas. This story’s delicate, detailed illustrations and its fun-filled enumeration of what children often love best about Christmas will encourage young readers to guess where the story is going, while highlighting their favorite parts of this special holiday. By allowing the young child to deliver her spiritual message, DiVencenzo avoids sounding preachy; her restraint making this tale all the more touching and more accessible to young readers. The watercolor illustrations are full of texture and will attract children, who will find new surprises on each page. The girl, whose toes peek out of the feet of her spotted pajamas, is especially well illustrated; she is a charming narrator for this simple yet touching book.

A well-crafted tale that delivers an old, important message in a fresh, attractively imagined vehicle.