A Glorious Angel Show: A Pop-Up Christmas Adventure

This lovely book is told in rhyme: "The angel came to Mary's house a long, long time ago. 'Mary, you will have a child. I'm here to tell you so. Name him Jesus. Hold him tight. He will turn the whole world right. The angel came to Mary's house a long, long time ago." On every colorful spread, we see the Christmas story unfold, and little inserts show the angels that are watching over the scenes. The angels have a very sweet feel. Some are children, some adults, and they come in all colors of skin and hair. We see them excitedly gathering as Gabriel makes his announcements to Mary and to Joseph. We see their concern when there's no room in the inn. And then we see their great joy in a wonderful pop-up at the center of the book, as they make their happy announcement to the shepherds. As the book comes to a close, it's time for the angels to go, but they promise that, being guardian angels, they will always be near. And on the final page is a sweet picture of Mary cuddling the newborn Savior. This book is a keeper!

Written with an elegant originality by Dandi Daley Mackall and beautifully illustrated by Susan Mitchell, "A Glorious Angel Show" is the tender 'pop-up' picturebook story of the Christmas nativity recounted with rhyme and repetitive phrases ideal for preschool and kindergarten children. The rather spectacular pop-up spread in the center of the picture reveals the heavenly proclamation by the angels that the savior has been born. Wonderfully 'child friendly' and a welcome addition to personal and family Christmas book collections, "A Glorious Angel Show" is highly recommended for family story hour celebration of Christmas and all that it means.

I can't believe such a gorgeous, lyrical classic can sell for this price. The cover is embossed, and the pop-up so well done. The text is poetic, capturing the thrill of Christmas from the angels' point of view, depicting their excitement on one level and the drama of the birth on another. This book has it all!