The Christmas Story - Print

The Christmas Story

By Juliet David
Illustrated by Elina Ellis

[1 copy only in stock at this reduced price 1 July 2026
We will not be re-ordering this title when this copy has sold]

A beautifully illustrated retelling of the Nativity story that helps young children discover the wonder of the first Christmas.

This book will help you:

• Introduce young children to the story of Jesus’ birth in a simple and memorable way.
• Share the Nativity story at home, school, church or Sunday school.
• Encourage early conversations about Christmas, faith and the meaning of Jesus’ birth.
• Support preschool and kindergarten children with age-appropriate Bible storytelling.
• Create a gentle seasonal reading moment for families and caregivers.
• Use engaging illustrations to hold children’s attention and aid understanding.
• Provide a Christmas gift or classroom resource with a clear Christian focus.

Features

• A retelling of the first Christmas
• Ideal for children aged 3–5.
• Suitable for home, school, Sunday school and church use.
• Illustrated by award-winning children’s illustrator Elina Ellis.
• Compact hardback format for young readers.

Hardcover, 24pp
16.7 cm H x 16.6 cm W x 0.8 cm D (0.158 kg)
ISBN 9781781282823
Candle Books (2016)

Description

The story of the first Christmas is one of the most treasured stories children can hear: a baby born in Bethlehem, angels bringing good news, shepherds hurrying to see, and the wonder of God’s love arriving in the world.

This charming retelling introduces young readers to the Nativity in a way that is simple, warm and easy to share, making it a lovely seasonal resource for families, churches, schools and Sunday schools.

A selection from 99 Stories from the Bible, this child-friendly book offers a memorable way to help preschool and early primary children understand the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Its accessible storytelling is designed for reading aloud, with language suited to young listeners and beginning readers. The compact hardback format makes it easy to handle, gift and use during Christmas services, classroom story times or quiet family reading.

Elina Ellis’s illustrations bring brightness, character and warmth to the story, helping children connect visually with Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and the people who come to welcome him. The combination of gentle text and engaging artwork makes the Nativity feel immediate and inviting, while keeping the focus on the meaning at the heart of Christmas.

This book is especially useful for adults looking for a Christian Christmas story that is brief, attractive and age-appropriate. It can be read in one sitting, revisited throughout Advent, included in a Christmas book basket or used as a simple teaching aid. For young children encountering the Nativity for the first time, it offers a clear and joyful introduction to the story Christians remember and celebrate each Christmas.

About the Author

Juliet David is an experienced children’s author who has written many Bible stories, Bible activity books and faith-based resources for young readers. Her writing is known for making biblical material accessible to children in a clear and engaging way. Alongside her writing, her interests include painting, music and travel to Israel and other Bible lands.

Elina Ellis is an award-winning illustrator based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. She holds an MA in Children’s Book Illustration and has received honours including the Macmillan Prize, the Beginning, Middle and End competition from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, and the Golden Pinwheel Grand Award. Her illustrations are lively, expressive and well suited to young children’s books. 

Contents

The journey toward Bethlehem
The birth of Jesus
The announcement of good news
The shepherds and the angels
Visitors coming to see the baby
The wonder and meaning of the first Christmas