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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Gina Lynn Murray’s Twinkle and the Christmas Gift is the tale of a sweet little star named Twinkle. She spends her nights watching the world from above. Most evenings are the same, but one night feels different, even special. When she glances down at the little town of Bethlehem below, she spots light coming from a small stable. Now feeling a bit curious, she decides to take a closer look. Once she takes a peek inside, she discovers a baby boy lying in the manger. As she continues to look at the scene, she can tell it isn’t just any moment in time. It feels important, though she’s not sure why. Who is this baby, and why does this night feel different than all the rest?
I couldn’t help but think of the endearing lyrics of ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star…’ along with ‘Away in a Manger’ as I read Twinkle and the Christmas Gift by Gina Lynn Murray. I really enjoyed how the nativity story was told through Twinkle’s bright, curious perspective, and how a child might view it. Twinkle is very charming and sure to engage children. From an educator’s perspective, this book can be used to start thoughtful discussions about kindness and the meaning of Christmas. Some extension activities could include having students design their own shining stars with a photo of themselves on it, along with a sentence about what makes them special, or have them create the night sky using dark paper with yellow and white chalk to draw stars. The illustrations by the author are soft, glowing, and full of colors that make each page feel magical. This heartfelt, yet profound book is a lovely pick for a holiday read-aloud at home or in the classroom.
