The Three Wise Men: A Christmas Story

by Loek Koopmans

Overview

Long, long ago, a very special star appeared in the night sky. It shone more brightly than all the other stars. Three wise men called Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar gazed at the star in wonder. They had never seen anything like it before.

In this beautifully illustrated book for young children, the three Kings decide to journey west, following the star to a very special destination.

Loek Koopmans' retelling of one part of the Christmas story is full of life and character, as well as mystery and wonder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782507222
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	12/08/2020
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Loek Koopmans is the author and illustrator of the children's books Any Room For Me?, The Pancake That Ran Away and Frog, Bee and Snail Look for Snow, and The Little Christmas Tree (all Floris Books).

Editorial Reviews

'The Three Wise Men has beautiful, warm and gentle illustrations.'
— Kindling

'This is of course a well-known story, but I liked this different perspective and also the soft tones of the beautiful illustrations.'
— Juno

'[T]he trajectory and tone are just right for the youngest audience, and the humble pictures, more sunny than starlit, depict the Magi as sweet old souls.'
— Roger Sutton, The Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

09/29/2014
Dutch artist Koopmans offers a subdued, almost dreamlike account of the journey of the wise men, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. Gathered in the turret of an observatory, surrounded by hilly desert, the three "stargazers" look with awe at the strange star that has appeared in the sky: "They did not know the star's name. They had never seen anything like it before. It was a miracle." With a backdrop of pale yellows, greens, and blues, Koopmans's paintings have a gauzy quality that amplifies the mystery about the star's meaning as the men acquire camels and gifts and follow the star, suspecting it may be connected to an ancient story about the birth of a new king. A powerful sense of serenity permeates both the understated text and richly rendered artwork. Ages 4–up. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly