Jed and Roy McCoy: A Christmas Story, written and illustrated by Andrew McDonough, is a new take on an old story. Jed and Roy McCoy are brothers. And, like the last name implies (McCoy), they are always at odds with one another. Jed says Roy stole his prize ewe 25 years ago. Roy says Jed roasted his sheep 22 years, 3 months and 4 days ago. They continually fight over things and find ways to get even. Except once a year, during the “big feast,” they put aside their differences, eat together and exchange gifts. The next day, though, they go back to fighting and feuding.
Until one year when an angel suddenly appears before them. The angel says, “Surprise! I have good news! In Bethlehem a baby has been born who will bring peace on earth!”
The brothers are so excited they run all the way to Bethlehem to see the baby. As the text says, they are “filled with joy. Wow! Peace on earth!” They ran home rejoicing. From that day on, they fought no more and took turns watching the sheep.
The illustrations are bright, colorful and comical. They are not the type of illustrations you would expect to see in a children’s picture book about the Nativity. Of course, this is not your typical story of the Nativity, so the illustrations work just fine.
What I Like: The illustrations. They are great. And the message: This is a story about the Nativity, but it is also a story about forgiveness.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: Baby to preschool.
Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 9780310719557; Paperback, $4.99.
Buy now at ChristianBook $3.99!
Or buy at Amazon.com $4.99.
Special Info: This book is part of Zonderkidz Cecil and Friends series. Read our reviews of other books in the series. Visit the Cecil and Friends website.
Until one year when an angel suddenly appears before them. The angel says, “Surprise! I have good news! In Bethlehem a baby has been born who will bring peace on earth!”
The brothers are so excited they run all the way to Bethlehem to see the baby. As the text says, they are “filled with joy. Wow! Peace on earth!” They ran home rejoicing. From that day on, they fought no more and took turns watching the sheep.
The illustrations are bright, colorful and comical. They are not the type of illustrations you would expect to see in a children’s picture book about the Nativity. Of course, this is not your typical story of the Nativity, so the illustrations work just fine.
What I Like: The illustrations. They are great. And the message: This is a story about the Nativity, but it is also a story about forgiveness.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: Baby to preschool.
Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 9780310719557; Paperback, $4.99.
Buy now at ChristianBook $3.99!
Or buy at Amazon.com $4.99.
Special Info: This book is part of Zonderkidz Cecil and Friends series. Read our reviews of other books in the series. Visit the Cecil and Friends website.
1 comment:
Christine, I like this book a lot, too. For kids who already know the Christmas story backwards and forwards, this simple book offers a new twist for them to ponder. Why did Jed and Roy feud? Why did they stop feuding? Just be sure
to discuss with your children why Jed and Roy stopped feuding. No explanation is given in the book, so this is really a necessity.
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