©1972 Avon Books (first Avon edition, 1979), New York
Many of you have read (or at least seen the play based on)
this Christmas classic. I read it again just the other day. The writing was so
good, and the sentiment so perfect, that I’m reading it (a chapter at a time)
for the kids’ bed-time story over the next several days.
“The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history
of the world.” That opening sentence tells it all. The little book tells the
story of how these horrible children got involved in and, to everyone’s
surprise, did not ruin the Christmas pageant. Everything had gone wrong this
year—the regular director broke her leg, and then the Herdmans showed up.
If you’ve never read TheBest Christmas Pageant Ever, you should read it this year. If you’ve never
seen the stage play, find a local drama group that’s performing it, and go. If
you absolutely have to, you can watch the video of the Loretta Swit version
that was produced about thirty years ago (but you’ll be happier if you go to a
stage production or read the book).
This book should be on your Christmas read list right along
with the Biblical account, and Dickens’ AChristmas Carol (and SomethingSpecial at Leonard’s Inn). Another five-reading glass read.
Merry Christmas—Benjamin Potter, December 9, 2011
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