The Savior Is Born [book with CD]

Actor Morgan Freeman narrates an inspirational version of the story of the Christmas Nativity in a book-and-CD package that also features six Christmas carols performed by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Oxford, England.

Ages 5^-8. Other illustrators have used the conventions of stained glass in creating art for picture books, but few have been as successful as Van Nutt in creating illustrations that look like traditional stained glass windows. The gestures of the figures, the jewel-bright hues, the placement of the black outlines, the style of the overpainting, and the luminous quality of the colors are all reminiscent of stained glass in churches and cathedrals. Retelling the Christmas story from the Annunciation to the return from Egypt to Nazareth, Gleeson's simple, respectful text is longer than most picture-book versions. On the first track of the CD that is in a pocket inside the back cover, actor Morgan Freeman reads the text with clarity and dignity. Accompanying his words are the lilting sounds of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Oxford, England. The other six tracks on the CD are other Christmas carols and songs, which are equally beautiful and, with the exception of "Silent Night," probably unfamiliar to American children. A fine, traditional celebration of the season. Carolyn Phelan