Book
Summary:
Robinson tells the story of a group of
misfit, trouble making children that become the stars of the annual church
Christmas pageant much to the dismay of the town patrons. Chaos and shenanigans ensue as a mom with no
experience directing the play replaces the church play director. Robinson shows how the most unlikely of
characters can provide the most insight and truth to a holiday church
tradition. The town is left surprised when the misfit children reveal their naive
side.
Reference:
Robinson, B. (1972). The best Christmas pageant ever. New York, NY: HarperColllins.
Impressions:
School children will
enjoy hearing and reading this comical story. The chaos the Herdman children
cause during play rehearsal is hysterical. Robinson delivers a surprise lesson
with the misfits’ account of how the Christmas story is interpreted. I enjoyed
reading this classic story. I like that
the mother of the narrator proves the town wrong by putting on the best
Christmas pageant the town has seen. I enjoyed that the town bullies seem to
put the town gossips and know-it-alls in their proper places.
Reviews:
From School Library Journal
Grade 2–6—Barbara Robinson's classic (Joanna Cotler, 1972) just
gets better with this new reading. Elaine Stritch's slightly raspy, mature
voice lends a convincing, grandmotherly element to this holiday favorite. The
Herdman's—Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys—are the town bullies
who steal and smoke cigars. When they show up for the church Christmas pageant
try-outs, no one is able to discourage them from participating. To the protests
of children who think they can do better, the Herdmans land the starring roles
in the Christmas play. Their unique interpretation of a story they've never heard
before surprises even the most regular of church-goers. A humorous retelling of
the birth of Christ, this title will be a welcome addition to general listening
holiday collections.—Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library,
WI
Martindale, K. (2007). [ Review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,
by Barbara Robinson]. School Library Journal, 53(1), 67-68. Available
from EBSCOhost http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2200/ehost/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=4275bda1-abf3-4429-afca-c6c28bca05d0%40sessionmgr104&hid=118&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=23755075&db=lls
In the Library:
This story
seems like a great story to introduce character traits and the how characters
can change throughout a story. This
would be a fun story to have students read and participate in a book talk. This
books lends itself well to point of view. Groups of students could represent
the point of view of the different characters in story, Mrs. Armstrong, the
Herdman children, the rest of the children, Beth Bradley, and Grace Bradley.
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