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Christmas
Uses the words of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew to present the story of the birth of Jesus.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 1984
32 people want to read
About the author
Jan Pieńkowski
221 books49 followersJan Michel Pieńkowski is a Polish-born British illustrator and author of children's books. He is probably best known for his Meg and Mog books with writer Helen Nicoll and for his pop-up books, including Haunted House (winner of the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal), Robot, Dinner Time, Good Night and seventeen others.
Pieńkowski illustrated his first book at the age of eight, as a present for his father. During World War II, Pieńkowski's family moved about Europe, finally settling in Herefordshire, England in 1946. He attended the Cardinal Vaughan School in London, and later read English and Classics at King's College, Cambridge.
After leaving university Pieńkowski founded the Gallery Five greeting cards company. He began illustrating children's books in his spare time, but soon found the work taking over all his time. He began working with children's author Joan Aiken in 1968; he later won the first of two Kate Greenaway Medals in 1972 for his illustrations for Aiken's The Kingdom Under the Sea.
Pieńkowski has had a life-long interest in stage design. He was commissioned to provide designs for Theatre de Complicite, Beauty and the Beast for the Royal Ballet, and Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland Paris.
In 2005 Pienkowski contracted a civil partnership with David Walser, with whom he has been in a relationship for over forty years.
Pienkowski suffers from bipolar disorder.
Pieńkowski illustrated his first book at the age of eight, as a present for his father. During World War II, Pieńkowski's family moved about Europe, finally settling in Herefordshire, England in 1946. He attended the Cardinal Vaughan School in London, and later read English and Classics at King's College, Cambridge.
After leaving university Pieńkowski founded the Gallery Five greeting cards company. He began illustrating children's books in his spare time, but soon found the work taking over all his time. He began working with children's author Joan Aiken in 1968; he later won the first of two Kate Greenaway Medals in 1972 for his illustrations for Aiken's The Kingdom Under the Sea.
Pieńkowski has had a life-long interest in stage design. He was commissioned to provide designs for Theatre de Complicite, Beauty and the Beast for the Royal Ballet, and Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland Paris.
In 2005 Pienkowski contracted a civil partnership with David Walser, with whom he has been in a relationship for over forty years.
Pienkowski suffers from bipolar disorder.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 24, 2021
I received this book in 2000 from my Nan and Grandad and it has always been a favourite. The illustrations are beautiful and rereading it now makes me want to seek out more of Jan Pieńkowski's work.
February 18, 2020
This is my favorite Christmas book. The art work is just phenomenal and beautiful in silhouette. The story is of course wonderful as well. A wonderful gift.
December 29, 2023
Selections from the King James Version of the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew are used as the text in this beautiful picture book presentation of the Christmas story, which pairs these classic words with illustrator Jan Pieńkowski's signature silhouette artwork. Opening "in the days of Herod the King," the narrative relates how the angel Gabriel brought the tiding of Jesus to Mary, how Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, how Jesus was born in the stable, how the shepherds heard the glad tidings from a host of angels, and how the three wise men came with their gifts. The story closes with the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, and then their eventual return to Israel...
Originally published in 1984, Pieńkowski's Christmas is a book I have been meaning to pick up for some time now, especially as I greatly enjoyed his Easter , another picture book pairing biblical text with silhouette artwork, some years ago. I am glad to have finally tracked down a copy and read it, as it is truly wonderful. The story holds no surprises, of course, but is as beautiful as ever. The King James Version of the Bible may not be the most faithful or accurate translation available in English (and not the one I would use for study), but it is certainly one of the most beautiful, and has been immensely influential in the development of the English language. The artwork here is lovely—I am a long-time fan of Pieńkowski's, whose silhouette work never disappoints—and I appreciated the decorative flourishes, from the larger, illuminated manuscript style initial letter on each page of text, and the gold-embellished greenery over which the larger illustrations and the text are placed. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful picture-book presentations of the Christmas story - the real, non-watered-down Christmas story.
Originally published in 1984, Pieńkowski's Christmas is a book I have been meaning to pick up for some time now, especially as I greatly enjoyed his Easter , another picture book pairing biblical text with silhouette artwork, some years ago. I am glad to have finally tracked down a copy and read it, as it is truly wonderful. The story holds no surprises, of course, but is as beautiful as ever. The King James Version of the Bible may not be the most faithful or accurate translation available in English (and not the one I would use for study), but it is certainly one of the most beautiful, and has been immensely influential in the development of the English language. The artwork here is lovely—I am a long-time fan of Pieńkowski's, whose silhouette work never disappoints—and I appreciated the decorative flourishes, from the larger, illuminated manuscript style initial letter on each page of text, and the gold-embellished greenery over which the larger illustrations and the text are placed. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful picture-book presentations of the Christmas story - the real, non-watered-down Christmas story.
January 19, 2019
The story teaches children about the importance of family; it shows children that each child should be kind and generous to each other and show love for their family and when their family need help they should help them. I would recommend the story because the effective pictures are illustrated as shadows that represent the religious side of the Christmas story, having the effective shadow picture kept me engaged with the Christmas story .
December 15, 2016
Brilliently illustrated with amazing detail. Some of the detail may not be thought suitable for young children. The story is plucked from the King James Version of the bible so not a simple story but why simplfy everything. Loads to talk about with young children. The illustrations are silhouettes and they are outstanding.
December 19, 2018
Beautifully illustrations of verses from Luke, King James version.
December 31, 2019
Every year my family reads this book on Christmas Eve and each year I’m amazed again by the excellent illustrations and quality layout of this book.
January 6, 2020
This book is beautiful and the artwork is stunning. A traditional seasonal read for me.
December 27, 2024
This is an exceptionally well-illustrated story of Christmas as written in the King James Version of the Bible. I bought this particular edition while living in England in 1984 so that my family might enjoy it during Christmas. Since then, as a family we have completed a shared reading of this wonderful story on each Christmas Eve. One person reads a page and turns the book around for all to share the illustration. We go around the room until it is finished. Now that the family doesn't always get to be together on Christmas Eve, we use FaceTime to continue our family shared reading of the story. It sets the tone for Christmas, warms our hearts and reminds us of the reason to truly celebrate Christmas.
December 22, 2018
Bible verses about the Nativity from the books of Matthew and Luke are illustrated in grand style by Pienkowski. Most of the illustrations are silhouettes against colored backgrounds, surrounded by shiny gold borders. In addition, there are shiny gold touches everywhere throughout the book.
December 28, 2010
A exceptionally beautiful retelling of Luke's Gospel story told in silhouettes combined with brilliant colors and ornamental gilding.
December 26, 2024
King James text with delightful illustrations by Jan Pienkowski.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews