joshrskinner's review
4.0
The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchel and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri is a wonderful new book from The Good Book Company and would make a perfect Christmas Eve present for the entire family.
My kids especially enjoyed the whooshing angels and the partying shepherds. We all enjoyed the fantastic illustrations. I had two parts that really stuck out to me as especially good. I really was blessed by how the promise-fulfillment aspect of the Gospel was presented throughout the story. It wasn’t just that Christ came on Christmas morning; it was that Christ came according to the Scriptures, according to God’s promise.
Highlighting the fact that this all happened in fulfillment of God’s promise helps kids see that this wasn’t just some random occurrence or some haphazard rescue plan hatched in a post fall world, but rather the unfolding of what God had decreed to occur. Also, I enjoyed how Christ is presented as the King who saves. Because of how that was highlighted, I was able to have a couple of good talks with my kids about the wisemen (the 3 kings) and the crowning with thorns episode in the passion narrative, along with all that is explicitly in the book.
This is one of my favorite kids books we have ever had the joy of reading together. We will be returning to this over the next couple of months and the next few years. It is a blessing; I would encourage you to get a copy today!
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Cross Focused Reviews.
My kids especially enjoyed the whooshing angels and the partying shepherds. We all enjoyed the fantastic illustrations. I had two parts that really stuck out to me as especially good. I really was blessed by how the promise-fulfillment aspect of the Gospel was presented throughout the story. It wasn’t just that Christ came on Christmas morning; it was that Christ came according to the Scriptures, according to God’s promise.
Highlighting the fact that this all happened in fulfillment of God’s promise helps kids see that this wasn’t just some random occurrence or some haphazard rescue plan hatched in a post fall world, but rather the unfolding of what God had decreed to occur. Also, I enjoyed how Christ is presented as the King who saves. Because of how that was highlighted, I was able to have a couple of good talks with my kids about the wisemen (the 3 kings) and the crowning with thorns episode in the passion narrative, along with all that is explicitly in the book.
This is one of my favorite kids books we have ever had the joy of reading together. We will be returning to this over the next couple of months and the next few years. It is a blessing; I would encourage you to get a copy today!
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Cross Focused Reviews.
ajcain92's review
4.0
I have a confession– I love children’s books. And Christmas books. So when I have the opportunity to read and review books that fall into both of those categories, I am a happy girl.
A retelling of the story of the birth of Christ, Alison Mitchell’s The Christmas Promise goes beyond the feel-good Christmas story we often share with children, and brings it full circle, reminding children that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s Promise, and that He is a Forever King.
But it is quite possibly Catalina Echeverri’s illustrations that I love the most about The Christmas Promise. Simple, yet saturated with vibrant colors, they are sure to capture children’s attention, ensuring that The Christmas Promise becomes a family favorite for years to come!
Overall, I found The Christmas Promise to be a beautiful and endearing book that children will enjoy and parents will appreciate, thanks to the high quality artwork and theology. I would recommend The Christmas Promise, and give it a “B”.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of the book free from the publisher through Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .
A retelling of the story of the birth of Christ, Alison Mitchell’s The Christmas Promise goes beyond the feel-good Christmas story we often share with children, and brings it full circle, reminding children that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s Promise, and that He is a Forever King.
But it is quite possibly Catalina Echeverri’s illustrations that I love the most about The Christmas Promise. Simple, yet saturated with vibrant colors, they are sure to capture children’s attention, ensuring that The Christmas Promise becomes a family favorite for years to come!
Overall, I found The Christmas Promise to be a beautiful and endearing book that children will enjoy and parents will appreciate, thanks to the high quality artwork and theology. I would recommend The Christmas Promise, and give it a “B”.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of the book free from the publisher through Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .
More...