Book Review: A Star for Jesus

Though I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping yet (despite the fact that my sister finished all her shopping in August and is now working on 2015 birthday gifts), I was excited to get into the holiday mood and read A Star for Jesus, a toddler board book written by Crystal Bowman and illustrated by Claudine Gevry.

The book is ideal for toddlers aged 1-5, and is partially cut out in the shape of a star. It's a short book--only 6 thin board book pages, but is a cute story with rhyming words and adorable illustrations.

The story begins in present day, with two children looking out into the winter night sky at a bright star. The next several pages talk about the star that drew the Wise Men to seek out Jesus. One detail was not lost on me, and I truly appreciate it--the story shows the Wise Men meeting a toddler Jesus, not a newborn Jesus. Many scholars now believe that Jesus was about 2 years old before the Wise Men reached him and few stories relay that information. The last page shows the same children opening presents on Christmas morning, and the story says how Jesus is the reason for Christmas.

I thought this was a precious book, and my 2 year old really liked the colors and the novel shape of the book. I always like to give my children a book with a new pair of PJs on Christmas Eve, and this book would be make a perfect gift for a toddler. Very sweet, short, but still proclaims the message that Jesus is why we celebrate Christmas.

*I was provided a free copy of this book from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.