Nativity story for a 5 year old, not preachy or dull

[LeeMiller]

Despite living in a majority Catholic country and attending a Catholic school, I’ve realised DS(almost 5) doesn’t really know the nativity story which seems like a gap I need to fill.

I can’t browse in store unfortunately so I would love some suggestions - nothing preachy (atheist family), not too simple/babyish or boring. I have ordered Marcia Williams’ The First Christmas but it’s preloveed and coming to us from the UK so I’m not sure it will arrive in time.

Primary school nativity stories are barely accurate to the gospel anyway. First they mash together both gospel accounts, then throw in random characters and animals.

can you not just read it to them?

I need something to read though! We don’t own a bible and DS likes looking at a book with pictures rather than just me telling the story.

I had a look online but a lot of stuff seems like “first Christmas” baby board books, I’d like something a bit more interesting.

I know it's not what you asked but there are short stories on BBC teach.

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/presenters-nativity-story

www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/religious-studies-ks1-the%20christian-story-of-the-first-christmas/z7fp382

Thank you Postmansknock, these could be useful too

The Christmas Story, by Eloise Wilkin, might fit the bill.

It was first published in 1952 by Little Golden Books, a huge children's publisher in the US. You might be able to find it on Amazon UK all the same.

I recommend Goodnight Manger. It's a fun rhyming one you can use to tell the story and it has wonderful pictures.

Jesus's Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen tells the story of the nativity from the pov of the grumpy innkeeper. My kids really like that one.

Thank you for these suggestions!

Good New Bible?

A Catholic school which hadn't taught the nativity seems a bit odd?

My dc all loved The lion, the unicorn, and me but idk if it would make sense without actually knowing the story. It’s from the pov of the donkey who carries Mary.
https://amzn.eu/d/iniy4ZB

@MartinEPSeligman I agree! We are in Italy and it’s nursery not school still, it is run by a Catholic cooperative but not overtly religious. The Christmas activities tend to be non-religious songs like jingle bells, making snowmen/farther Christmas decorations, and the play isn’t the nativity story. I assume they must read or tell them the story at some point but DS can’t have been paying much attention as we saw a nativity scene and asked who the baby on the farm was. He recognised the name baby Jesus but looked blank when I pointed out the 3 kings, shepherds etc.

thanks Zwicky, I like the look of this but I agree we need to get the basic story straight first.

Usborne do a nativity sticker book with the story written out. It’s very cute because the illustrations are very much drawings of kids doing a UK school nativity play. It might be too simple but it might also be exactly what you’re looking for - that cultural practice of telling the nativity story as a play for kids.

https://www.amazon.it/Dressing-Sticker-Nativity-Usborne-Getting/dp/1409551857/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=3Q1538L10V58P&keywords=usborne+nativity+sticker+book&qid=1702285175&sprefix=usborne+nativity+sticker+book%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-4
This one.

DD loved this when she was about 5 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jesus-Christmas-Party-Nicholas-Allan/dp/1849415269 - told from the innkeeper's point of view.