A story of first motherhood and love for a newborn child who will change the world forever
He was born while the full moon travelled
across the heavens and the waiting world turned.
She held him close, his skin warm against hers,
in the circle of her mother's love, safe.
A beautiful and lyrical Nativity story, focusing on the thoughts, hopes and fears of a young mother-to-be, about to give birth in a strange land.
This is a stunning piece of literature for readers of all ages...Morris's pen-and-ink illustrations provide a superb balance between text and image as each page is turned, and frame the narrative with exquisitely refined details. I defy any reader not to be moved by this retelling of the Christmas story, which will demand many re-readings in order for its beauty to be revisited and fully appreciated.
* IBBY Link *This gentle, loving and vibrantly illustrated retelling of the Nativity presents a slightly more universal story of a woman and her baby without directly mentioning Jesus, Mary and Joseph, although it is obvious that this is what the book is about. Visually stunning and brimming with flowers, peacock feathers, birds and butterflies, as well as the more usual iconography, Jackie Morris adds an image-rich layer of fruitfulness and bountiful love to this most famous story.
* Booktrust *There's beauty on every page: into Jackie Morris' richly coloured scenes are woven symbols from the natural world - butterflies and moths, birds and their feathers.
* Red Reading Hub *Jackie Morris has re-used illustrations that previously appeared in a 2006 title with words by another author and written her own nativity, and done so very well indeed.
* Achuka *An alternative and lyrical Nativity story, told in Mary's words, and focusing on the thoughts, hopes and fears of a young mother-to-be, about to give birth in a strange land.
* Picture Books Blogger *The vibrant illustrations are full of rich colour and glorious detail, with beautiful depictions of plants and animals. A beautiful book, perfect as a gift for any mother-to-be.
* Parents in Touch *A lyrical retelling, exploring the hopes and fears of the young mother-to-be, stunningly realised in watercolours and gold leaf.
-- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *An absolutely gorgeous book
* ChinaBerry *Sumptuous illustrations
* School Library Journal *Jackie Morris is