Angela and the Baby Jesus

This is one of those books which we will look forward to reading with our children every year. It is full of tradition, humor, and tenderness and is one both children and adults will very much enjoy. The illustrations are beautifully done, and the story is a touching, gentle reminder of the baby whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas. This is one of those rare books which can take a busy day of shopping and errands, and put it in perspective. I too will never again look at a Nativity scene without thinking of the real baby it portrays, and how a little girl long ago wanted to take care of the baby Jesus she so loved. Mr. McCourt allows us to be inspired by the genuine love and compassion of the children who became his mother and uncle, and I hope their story will carry the same message into the hearts of my own children.

Written by Frank McCourt, ANGELA AND THE BABY JESUS is a retelling of a true story that McCourt's mother relayed to him about an event she was involved in as a child. There are two editions of the story, a children's version and an adult version. The children's version is filled with more illustrations. This review is focused on the adult version of the book that has illustrations by Loren Long. Little seven-year-old Angela sees the baby Jesus alone in the manger at church and decides that he must get cold laying where he is and decides to take him home and warm him up. However, it's not an easy task as one might think. I love McCourt's writing and I am thankful to him for sharing about his life and now an episode from the life of his mother. McCourt's books are very sad and full of dark humor. However, ANGELA AND THE BABY JESUS isn't quite like that. There is some humor involved, but overall it's a heartwarming story full of the love, joy, and peace that surround the Christmas season.

I purchsed this book for three of my great grandchildren. Their mother says they read it over and over again. The two older children read it to the youngest who is too young to read yet. But he claps his little hands in enjoyment. The life story of Frank McCourt is one of rags to riches. I have several of his books and find inspiration in each of them. Parke C. Bogle

Once more Frank McCourt has delved into his youth - or rather, his mother's - to write a terse, engaging Christmas saga which will remind readers of his Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angela's Ashes". Young Angela Sheehan is six years old, and wonders about the baby Jesus in his crib. This is yet another heart-felt, memorable tale from Frank McCourt that is replete with his crisp, lyrical prose. While I won't predict whether this will be a perennial favorite at Christmas, it should be a most delightful saga enjoyed by everyone this Christmas. The children's edition of "Angela and the Baby Jesus" features excellent art from illustrator Raul Colon; the adult edition features superbly executed illustrations from illustrator Loren Long. Without question, this wee book promises to be a favorite of McCourties (diehard fans of Frank McCourt) and of others interested in the McCourt family saga.

Once more Frank McCourt has delved into his youth - or rather, his mother's - to write a terse, engaging Christmas saga which will remind readers of his Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angela's Ashes". Young Angela Sheehan is six years old, and wonders about the baby Jesus in his crib. This is yet another heart-felt, memorable tale from Frank McCourt that is replete with his crisp, lyrical prose. While I won't predict whether this will be a perennial favorite at Christmas, it should be a most delightful saga enjoyed by everyone this Christmas. The children's edition of "Angela and the Baby Jesus" features excellent art from illustrator Raul Colon; the adult edition features superbly executed illustrations from illustrator Loren Long. Without question, this wee book promises to be a favorite of McCourties (diehard fans of Frank McCourt) and of others interested in the McCourt family saga. (EDITORIAL NOTE 7/23/09: Elsewhere online I posted this tribute to my favorite high school teacher, and I think it is worth noting here: I've been fortunate to have had many fine teachers in high school, college and graduate school, but there was no one like Frank McCourt. Without a doubt, he was the most inspirational, most compelling, and the funniest, teacher I ever had. I am still grateful to him for instilling in me a life-long love of literature and a keen interest in writing prose. Am still amazed that he encouraged me to enter a citywide essay contest on New York City's waterfront, and would, more than a year later, in my senior yearbook acknowledge my second prize award by thanking me for winning him money (His was also, not surprisingly, the most eloquent set of comments I had inscribed in my yearbook from teachers.). He is gone now, but I am sure that for me, and for many of my fellow alumni of his Stuyvesant High School classes, he will live in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives.)