The Night of His Birth

by Katherine Paterson, Lisa Aisato (Illustrator)

Overview

Sing out, my soul, the wonder . . .

Mary's baby has arrived, and she can’t contain her joy! As Joseph sleeps, she examines her newborn’s tiny mouth, his wild hair, his little hands. Yet what’s most wondrous is that this child is not just Mary’s own but a gift that God has shared with everyone.

Poetic text by Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson and striking images by Lisa Aisato reveal the intimacy of that unforgettable night long ago, when the mother of Jesus was the first to welcome him into a world he would change forever.

The Night of His Birth is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

2020 Moonbeam Children's Book Award Winner - Gold Medalist, Holiday Category

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611649567
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	09/17/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 30 books, including 16 novels for children and young adults such as Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, The Master Puppeteer, and The Great Gilly Hopkins. She has twice won the National Book Award and twice the Newbury Medal. In 2000, she was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She is currently a vice-president of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.

Lisa Aisato is a Norwegian artist and childrens book author whose distinctive work has been published in books and magazines around the world.

Editorial Reviews

10/07/2019

From receiving the unthinkable news of her pregnancy to her family’s subsequent tumult, Mary recalls her journey up to the night of Christ’s birth: “Sing out, my soul, the wonder,” she begins. She watches her sleeping newborn with maternal affection and awe, reflecting on his arrival and “this strange celebration at which I am also a guest.” Paterson’s strong narrative (“Even Joseph doubted—but how could I blame him? An angel come to Nazareth?”) has the feel of a mature theatrical monologue, and the picture book format seems an odd choice for the suggested age range, as well as for younger readers lacking social context for the heavy lines (“They are sick with shame, for they are simple, pious people who care what the neighbors say”). Rendered in inky washes, Aisato’s mural-like artwork follows characters drawn with long features as Mary marvels at being “the handmaid of the Lord.” A drama-filled outing. Ages 6–10. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"Stunning illustrations and lovely writing." —The Presbyterian Outlook

Presbyterian Outlook

"Katherine Paterson is a poet. Her writing pairs wonderfully with the ethereal illustrations of Lisa Aisato in this excellent reflection of Christ's birth from the perspective of Mary. Adults and mature children alike will delight in the simple yet deep meditation of the nativity." —The Living Church

The Living Church

"The Night of His Birth is an unmistakably beautiful story of the birth of Jesus from a fresh and enlightening perspective. By capturing the beguilement, the joy, and the gratitude of Mary–an unsuspecting mother of a child of unimaginable magnitude–through poetic text and narration, the author enables readers to grasp the depth of the experience. The magnificent, alluring illustrations by Norwegian author and illustrator Lisa Aisato illuminate the pages and bring the story to life….Ideal for educators to share with their students in Christian elementary school classrooms around the nation during the days leading up to the celebration of the Christ Child's birth." —Seattle Book Review

Seattle Book Review

"A wonderfully inspiring story of the nativity, The Night of His Birth is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, Sunday School, and community library picture book collections for children ages 6-10." —Midwest Book Review

Midwest Book Review

We can't recommend it highly enough!—Storypath

“Beautifully illustrated...Mary's puzzled sense of wonder over the newborn Jesus will resonate with both adults and children.“ —Christian Century

“A lyrical, moving account of Jesus' birth, from his mother's perspective...Divine.“ —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

From the Publisher

★ 2019-07-28
A lyrical, moving account of Jesus' birth, from his mother's perspective.

In text adapted from a story that first appeared in The Presbyterian Survey (1985), Paterson channels the voice of the Virgin Mary, who marvels at the birth of her son after the shepherds have departed and while Joseph sleeps: "Can you believe it? God's anointed one upon my breast, with milk, just there, at the corner of his tiny mouth." These down-to-earth, oh-so-human words are accompanied by a picture of the Madonna and Child, her face turned away as she sits, barefoot, cradling him, while he faces readers. Both have dark hair and olive complexions, as do others depicted in the stunning, full-color illustrations. Prominent, aquiline noses define many profiles, and the characters' brown eyes radiate wonder and reverence throughout the book. Nowhere is this more apparent than in a spread with an extreme close-up of Mary's eyes gazing at readers from a full-bleed double-page spread with text that wonders about what the future holds for her baby and herself. Earlier, her parents gazed outward, too, as Mary recalled their worry about her pregnancy before also addressing Joseph's concerns. But "tonight, I saw the gentle way he washed the son God gave into his care," Mary later reflects in another moment emphasizing the humanity of this holy night.

Divine. (Picture book. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews