A Northern Nativity

...because if they were I'd buy this book and make a tradition out of reading to them every Christmas. Offbeat and moving; I've never seen a Christmas book quite like this one. Fanciful and thought-provoking. Not to seem patronizing, but ever since I discovered SCTV I have come to admire Canadians and Canadian art... I characterize some Canadian work as American hipness or trendiness mixed with a strong British literary and arts tradition. And then there's Neil Young and Joni Mitchell... Canadians have a unique voice on the world arts stage. By the way, I have also read Kurelek's "Prairie Boy" works...also excellent. But this one stands out. Very recommended.

There is a blend of spiritual, surreal, emotional and artistic aspects in Mr. Kurelek's "dream" series, illustrating how it would be if Jesus were to be born in different settings in the farth North instead of the historical Bethlehem. Canadians should buy this book for their American friends and relations, especially (but not only) those with young children. Though seen through distinctly Canadian eyes, these visions have universal appeal.

This is one of my favourite Christmas books. I have used it many times in children's story times,selecting several of the stories and in one case using it as the basis for a Christmas play. I hope we were not breaking any copyrite laws. I don't know why this book is not more popular.It has a wonderful story to tell of a young Ukrainian boy's dreams about how the nativity of the Christ Child could be repeated in many northern settings including a trapper's cabin and a railway car. The paintings are delightful and are distinctively Canadian.I hope this book will become more popular. It is already a Canadian classic!