Book Description
for Hallelujah by W. Nikola-Lisa and Synthia Saint James
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This original, rhymed poem recounts the traditional Christmas story. The refrain for each stanza joyfully repeats, “And a black baby Jesus--Hallelujah!” The primary colors and distinct shapes in Saint James’ paintings reverently picture a black family, angels, shepherds, and royal gift bearers. Young children will want to hear this particular version of the story repeatedly. They will notice that each stanza names a color in the accompanying picture, such as a “plum-purple sky,” the “yew-green hills,” a “cake-white wall,” a “sky-blue scarf,” a “slate-gray donkey,” and a “red velvet canopy.” (Ages 3-6)
CCBC Choices 2001. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2001. Used with permission.