M Is for Manger

Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus? birth.Sneak peek:Mary gently wrapped her son,then rested in the shed.She placed the newborn Saviorin a MANGER for his bed.As children turn the pages and follow the letters of the alphabet, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus unfold before their eyes.The story is told in chronological order, helping young minds understand how and where Jesus was born. They will learn why Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem and how so many of the events of Jesus? birth fulfilled prophecies in the Bible.Bible verses are included with every letter so readers will know where the events or prophecies can be found in Scripture.Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season. Review In this Christmas abecedary, Bowman and McKinley use sturdy rhymed couplets, accompanied by Biblical quotes and citations, to retell the nativity story both chronologically and alphabetically. On left-hand pages framed by tidy botanical borders, Keay paints large capital letters and the people or events discussed (Joseph takes a hammer to the letter C on an early page); Bowman?s rhymes and Bible verses appear opposite (?A carpenter named Joseph/ chose Mary for his wife./ The news that Mary told him/ would soon change Joseph?s life?). Concrete, nativity-specific words (inn, manger, wise men) share space with terms (king, ruler, savior) that emphasize Jesus? role: ?Though he was just a baby,/ he was born to be a king./ Jesus will reign forever,/ and heaven and earth will sing!? Doll-like characterizations and a soft pastel palette bolster this soothing introduction to the story of Jesus? birth. Publishers Weekly