Amazon.in:Customer reviews: Goodnight, Manger

A unique perspective on the Christmas story.

Reviewed in India on 22 November 2016

The first day of Advent is almost here. Each year at the beginning of advent I fill a basket with 24 books and place it under the Christmas tree. Each day we pick a book from the basket and read it together. We have our favourite stories that are put in the basket each year, but I also try to include new stories. “Goodnight, Manger” will be a new addition to our basket this year and I can’t wait to share it with my children.

“Goodnight Manger” is the story of Mary trying to put Baby Jesus to sleep for the night. Between itchy hay, angels singing and noisy shepherds it’s all but impossible for the little baby to fall asleep. Will Mary find a way to help Baby Jesus fall into a peaceful sleep on such a busy night?

When I think of the Nativity story I always visualize a peaceful scene. Never do I think of Baby Jesus crying or the shepherds stumbling in making all kinds of noise. Everything is calm and serene in my mind. “Goodnight Manger” by Laura Sassi, tells the Nativity story in a way that just may be a little more accurate than what I envision. There is chaos and noise and a baby crying, all the things that may just have happened.

“Goodnight Manger” reminds us of Jesus’ humanity. When we was itchy and uncomfortable, he cried and when it was noisy all around him, he couldn’t sleep. The story reminded me that he lived his life here on earth as a human and can truly understand how we feel.

The story is written in rhyme, perfect for reading aloud. It’s a great story for bedtime. The story starts off slowly with Mary telling her baby that it’s time for bed, but then it builds in excitement til it calms down again at the end. The illustrations are fun and lively and will capture your child’s interest.

“Goodnight Manger” is a great story to read during the advent season. It has a unique perspective on the Christmas story that will delight your little one.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Helpful

Monique Pullyblank

One Star

Reviewed in Canada on 22 January 2016

Verified Purchase

I was disappointed as I expected more of a Christmas message

Bear and Mouse Read

Goodnight Manger is one of my favorite Christmas board books on our shelf

Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2016

Verified Purchase

I'm always struggling with how to bring big truths and complex stories down to my daughter's level. Goodnight Manger is one of my favorite Christmas board books on our shelf, because it makes the story of Christmas so accessible to a three year old. Written in terrific rhyming verse, we get a peak at what the noise and commotion of the stable the night Jesus was born might have been like. Noisy animals, singing angels, and one unexpected visitor after another. How will Mary ever get some peace and quiet so baby Jesus can sleep?

The more we have talked about the Christmas story, the more I've found the details of this book really stuck with her. "Mama, did baby Jesus sleep in hay? Was it scratchy? Maybe a chicken gave him some soft feathers."

The familiarity of coaxing a baby to sleep - a struggle she's watched every day at our house for the last year with since her little sister was born - makes the perfect foundation for her as she's just beginning to understand the special details of the Christmas story.

I understand the criticism some reviewers have expressed that the book makes the scene feel "negative" as if the celebration of God's son being born are a hassle to Mary. Really I think the author was trying to put the story in a realistic perspective. If you've had a baby, you know the scene of giving birth in a stable full of animals perhaps wasn't as peaceful and cozy as we make it in a carol. Mary was probably trying to figure out how to care for a newborn just like any other first time mom. There is time for children to understand the complexity all of these things but, overall I really liked this book as a way to introduce the story of Jesus's birth in a context my daughter related to.

This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review by Book Look Bloggers

5 people found this helpful

Margot Reynolds

Get this book now!!

Reviewed in the United States on 12 December 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is precious! We have both of Laura Sassi’s books- goodnight arc and manger. This one though, is a wonderful Christmas book for your children’s collection. My sons love the pictures and the sweet story of baby Jesus crying and the animals and everyone trying to help soothe him. The pictures are done beautifully, just like her other book. Can’t recommend this book more! It’s so sweet!

One person found this helpful

Antoinette Clark

Adorable pictures, animated story! Love it!

Reviewed in the United States on 13 December 2019

Verified Purchase

An adorable story, which is lively and fun! The illustrations are great. I am positive it will hold even the youngest child’s attention! Well worth the small price

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

The message of the books

Reviewed in the United States on 26 December 2020

Verified Purchase

I ordered this one and the Noah story. Neither book had the biblical message. Very disappointing and will be sending back. I should have read the reviews first.

One person found this helpful

Jessica S Gilbert

Precious rhyming book for Christmas

Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2021

Verified Purchase

Precious rhyming book for Christmas

J. Allen Smith

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Reviewed in the United States on 25 October 2017

Verified Purchase

Love the pictures. Very colorful with a Latin feel. This tells the sory of Jesus' birth in a fun way, but some people could be offended by the "casual" nature of the setting. Those who like to have a " Birthday Party for Jesus" celebration will probably love it.

One person found this helpful

Bob

A preschool look at the Christmas story

Reviewed in the United States on 29 December 2018

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my preschool granddaughter. The illustrations are great and the writing is a little unconventional but amusing. I would recommend this book to lend a down to earth look at the Christmas story. Definitely preschool level.

WP

Wonderful Bedtime Story

Reviewed in the United States on 16 October 2015

Verified Purchase

Goodnight, Manger, like its predecessor Goodnight, Ark, is a delightful way to end the day with your children. Both books put a new spin on two much loved Bible stories. Some reviewers seem to be offended that the story does not reflect an exact retelling in the Biblical perspective. In my view, this is a great way to look at stories children may have heard many times, but now children can reimagine the situation. . .how to calm the animals on the ark so they can sleep and how to calm a busy stable of animals, angels and visitors to get a baby to sleep. It's a wonderful thing to get children thinking about the Bible and these stories! And the fact that the books are not overtly religious will appeal to a wider audience and maybe introduce children to these stories who may not be as familiar. I, for one, am a fan!

2 people found this helpful

5 star		82%
4 star		11%
3 star		3%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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