The Shy Little Angel

The Shy Little Angel

A stubborn little angel who refuses Gabriel's strict order to visit the newborn baby in the manger turns out to be a frightened little girl who has stage fright, in a magical holiday story that combines the gospel with traditional children's pageant fare. Kindergarten-Grade 2?The littlest angel absolutely refuses to greet the newborn baby Jesus. All of the other angels plead with her, pointing out that Gabriel will definitely notice if she's not there, but she doesn't care. However, she doesn't want to miss a thing, so she peers down at the Nativity scene below...and that is when the stage backdrop falls, revealing that the little cherub is an unwilling participant in a Christmas pageant, directed by her school's principal, Mr. Gabriel. The little girl ends up beaming as she gets the loudest applause of all. Young children won't understand the subtle joke, but they will relate to the child's shyness and stubbornness. The text is simple and avoids sentimentality. The illustrations, rendered in watercolor and acrylic, are awash with a golden light, casting a warm glow on the multiethnic cast members. The tousle-haired little angel shows a whole range of emotions on her face, from obstinacy to ecstasy. A sweet holiday choice, particularly for young pageant participants and viewers.?EM Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Ages 4^-6. The shy little angel refuses to come down to greet the newborn baby Jesus. The other angels try to change her mind, telling her that Gabriel has insisted everyone be there and that she'll be in big trouble if she doesn't come. She still refuses to budge, though she watches from nearby so she doesn't miss anything. Just when little listeners are beginning to ask why all the angels in the story look like modern children, the surprise is revealed: the shy little angel is a schoolgirl in the Christmas play who has a bad case of stage fright. When she finally enters the spotlight, everyone cheers for her, including the principal, Mr. Gabriel. Brown's full-color illustrations make this perfect for sharing with small groups; children will delight in the unexpected turn of events that make this such a special holiday story. Helen Rosenberg Used Book in Good Condition