With a royal procession rumored to be heading in their direction, Simon - the wealthiest man in the village - orders his crippled wife Sarah to prepare their home for a kingly visitor. But when a beggar dressed in rags appears at their doorstep instead, Simon refuses to help him, only to watch in amazement as Sarah's kindhearted offer of food and cloak is rewarded with an extraordinary gift. Now convinced that the beggar is a king after all, Simon sets off in pursuit of him, discovering on his wintry journey that there are indeed gifts more precious than money...

A story that emphasizes the true meaning of the holiday, The Christmas Visitor is a tale with religious significance, and has nothing at all to do with the cozy ideas of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, or stockings filled with presents. The narrative is a trifle simplistic, and the true identity of the beggar will be immediately apparent to most readers, but parents and children looking for holiday picture-books with a less secular orientation will find this lovely offering a welcome addition to their library. Loek Koopmans' beautiful watercolor illustrations offer a luminous accompaniment to the text, perfectly depicting the warmth of light on a winter evening. ( )