Little Star {Book Review}

 

 

I have been searching for the perfect Christmas Eve tradition to share with my children to help remember the true meaning of Christmas, not just the story of Santa Claus and his reindeer. The nativity story found in the scriptures is a little too advanced and a little too long to keep my children’s attention so I was excited to find this book:

Little Star by Anthony DeStefano illustrated by Mark Elliott

This story of a tiny little star who is ignored and thinks he’ll be passed over for the star who can shine the brightest at the king’s birth. When Jesus is born as a small child in the humblest of conditions all the other stars are convinced this is not the king they have been promised. Little Star understands and shines brightly to warm the baby Jesus. The next morning Little star is small and gray, burnt out from shining so bright.

I love the message of Christ that this Christmas book brings. It reminds us that between Santa Claus and Christmas trees and presents that the true meaning of Christmas is Christ and Christ is Love. As Little Star, the “star” of this book showed we can all show love by thinking of others and bring to remembrance the true meaning of Christmas. I also liked that I was reminded of the atonement about how Christ gave his life for us as Little Star gave his life for Jesus. A perfect book for children and adults of all ages. Children will enjoy this short story with great illustrations. The ending helps give us a way to remember each Christmas this Little Star and when we look amongst our presents, stockings we will see that little start shining bright atop our tree.

While this story does not fully illustrate the whole nativity story of Jesus, shepards, angels and wise-men it does a wonderful job of illustrating a piece that helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas. It will definitely be a part of my Christmas Eve traditions to read to my children each year- it may not replace the traditional story found in the scriptures however it’s a great way to help children understand.

So while Christmas might be over be sure to grab this book early to read with your kids this year, because if you’re anything like me I love to try and keep the spirit of Christmas with me all year long.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.