Patricia A. Pingry

I read this aloud to my wife and daughter, and their immediate reaction was basically, "Why do we own this?"

This board book has a short sentence on each spread that seems almost jarring when juxtaposed against the incredibly busy and detailed art of the accompanying illustration. And the pictures are teeming with the creepiest and tiniest elves I've ever seen in Santa's workshop.

The back cover says it is based on a "classic tale," so I did some research and found that the original Jolly Old show more Santa Claus story appeared in Ideals magazine in 1961, credited to "Sparkie." It was turned into a book illustrated by George Hinke, edited by Van B. Hooper, and still credited to "Sparkie." Later editions finally revealed the author to be Mary Jane Tonn, a/k/a Maryjane Hooper Tonn, a/k/a the editor's daughter. It's a nepo-baby Christmas!

I haven't read Tonn's version of the story, but it looks very wordy and seems to make more sense of everything happening in Hinke's illustrations. In 1984, Alice Leedy Mason adapted the story into verse, re-using the same title and pictures. Then in 2000, Patricia A. Pingry simplified the story to an extreme degree for this board book, using only a handful of Hinke's many illustrations.

I still don't know why we bought this book, but at least now I know why it exists.

FOR REFERENCE:

Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod; rated "Good" by Adelia. show less

A cute little story that gives a basic understanding of the Wise Men and their travel. The board book is the perfect size and the illustrations are beautiful. There are some gaps that I needed to fill in or expand on when I read the book to my daughter but that’s the nature of a board book. Great little story and perfect for Christmas. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Star of Wonder!

This charming picture book tells the miraculous story of Jesus’ birth on a child’s level. Join the wonder of that night when the shepherds hear the good news from a sky full of angels. While in another part of the world, wise men find a new, gigantic star, so bright it lights up the sky. They drop everything to follow it.

Their journey takes them many miles. They must cross the desert, and deal with the ravings of King Herod who is frightened he will be replaced by a new show more king. But they do not give up, and keep following the star. That is how they end up in the house Jesus, Mary and Joseph are living in, where they can worship the new king and give him gifts.

This old story is made new again through simple words meant for a child’s understanding. The illustrations are bright, beautiful and draw young ones into the story. Children will thrill to hear of the escape the wise men made from King Herod by not going back, along with the bright star in the sky that led them to Jesus. I highly recommend this five-plus star book to all children everywhere from ages one through five-years-old.

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Story of the Wise Men, for the purpose of review. show less

Though this is a small board book, the text and understanding would preclude it's being appropriate for preschoolers. I can see letting first and third graders read it, though they might be a bit put off with a board book.

This little biography shows Rosa Parks disobeying the law about riding the bus. It is hard for people today to understand these laws. Her actions make me think a bit of the defiance of the Patriots of the Boston Tea Party when they defied the British and tossed the tea into show more the sea.

The illustrations are drawings and are a bit on the "dark" side until the page where the ruling allowing people to ride the bus as they wish, and then it seems flooded with light.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review of my honest opinion. show less