What can I say about a book that begins with “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old broken-down toolhouse.”
Would you believe that those two lines are from one of my favorite Christmas stories, or that it’s a story I read aloud to my children every year?
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a surprising book, in many ways. It’s recommended for ages 9-12 but I find that younger children can appreciate much of it and that even adults are moved by its message. The Herdman children are indeed awful. They terrorize children and adults alike. Even teachers and parents are a little afraid of them.
Imagine the chaos when the worst children in the world take over a church Christmas pageant. It’s crazy, and hilarious, and very poignant. Because as the Herdman’s learn about the Christmas story for the first time, they are changed. But changed realistically, and not in a saccharine Christmas special kind of way. As a reader, it is fascinating to see the Christmas story as new again through Herdman eyes. All kinds of things like the gifts of the Magi, the refusal of a room, and phrases like “sore afraid” are seen in a new light.
I love to read this book out loud. For a few years, we read it out loud on our Christmas commute from grandparent house to grandparent house. Since we aren’t traveling this year I’m planning on reading a chapter or two a night from the comfort of our own sofa.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever delivers a laugh out loud funny book and not-at-all-preachy message on the meaning of Christmas.
For More Christmas Stories See:
Jingle the Christmas Clown – Tomie dePaola
Hannah’s Bookmobile Christmas – Sally Derby
Noel for Jeanne-Marie – Francoise