First Christmas

This fifth addition to the Baby Bible Book series gently tells the Nativity story. Susan Gay, a graphic designer, creates the images with help from her young son. Gay’s figures are reminiscent of Playmobil toys, with pinpoint eyes and solid forms. Gay describes Mary and Joseph (“Mary was a good young woman”), and concisely details events: Mary learns that she is with child, and Mary and Joseph are turned away by five frowning innkeepers. Jesus’s birth in the manger occurs under a shining yellow star. “Every year on Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s own son,” concludes this biblical primer. Ages 1–3. (Oct.)