Serah and the First Christmas: Book Review

Looking for a new Christmas book for the little ones? Perhaps something with a fresh perspective? Then check out this review of Serah and the First Christmas, a picture book for ages 4-8. This story leads us to the manger through the journey of a young shepherd girl.

The Author of Serah and the First Christmas

Tama Fortner is an ECPA award-winning, bestselling author with more than sixty titles to her credit, including several I have reviewed on this blog: Prayers for Each Moment; God, I Feel Sad; and Easter is Coming! She has collaborated with such well-known authors as Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, Levi Lusko, and Sadie Robertson Huff to create inspirational books for all ages.

Tama and her husband have two grown children. She and her husband live on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more at www.TamaFortner.com.

The Illustrator

Silvia Provantini was born in Venice and now lives and works in Milan. Silvia graduated from the Institute of Applied Arts at Castello Sforzesco. She worked for a year in animation and set design studios, but her passion since 1993 has been in children’s publishing.

Silvia does a beautiful job illustrating Serah and the First Christmas.

Her illustrations are bright and inviting. In addition to Serah in her red robe, readers may notice another little girl in a teal blue robe. She’s tucked here and there throughout the book. Keep reading this review to learn her purpose in the story.

About Serah and the First Christmas

Little Serah dreams of helping with her father’s flock, like her brothers. She longs to be a shepherdess like the ancestors her father tells her about, Rachel and Rebekah. But when Serah asks to help, she’s answered with “You’re too little. You’re too small.”

Eventually, Serah’s father gives her a tiny, orphaned lamb to care for.

“But it’s just one little lamb,” Serah said. “I can help with the whole flock.”

“A true shepherdess knows even the littlest lambs need her love and care.” Abba patted her cheek.

The lamb stretched up to nuzzle her neck, and Serah couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you,” she promised.

When it’s time for the lamb’s first night with the flock, Serah isn’t sure he’s ready. When Abba goes out to the field to watch the flock, she secretly follows him to check on her lamb.  

I’ll not spoil the surprise by telling you all the sweet details. I will say it is a night filled with wonder for Serah! She realizes she’s not too small to be seen by the Savior and that even little things done for Him are big.

Who Is the Other Little Girl in the Illustrations?

She never says a word, so why is she there?

This little girl is not there by accident. She has a purpose.

The author, Tama Fortner says,

“First, she is an invitation for children to pour their own imaginations into the story and, particularly, into her story.

 But here’s what I imagine her story to be:

While Serah is wanting so desperately to be a shepherdess and struggling with feeling overlooked because she is too small, she doesn’t even notice this other little girl who is just hoping to be seen by Serah. To be her friend.

This other little girl is representative of what happens to us sometimes. We—like Serah—get so caught up in what we want and what we believe we need for ourselves that we don’t notice how we could be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

That little girl is also our challenge. Because when we realize how we are always seen by Jesus and endlessly loved by Him, how could we not do as Serah did? How could we not reach out to those around us and bring them to Him?”

The Extra Blessings

This hardcover book published by Zonderkidz includes extra blessings!

Scriptures

This story includes two scripture passages printed in the text. One is Luke 2:10-11, and the other is Matthew 25:40.

Hebrew

Young readers also learn a little Hebrew. A short glossary in the back defines the Hebrew words: Imma (Mother), Abba (Father), and Serah (Princess).

A 5-Day Devotional for Families on the Bible App

I was so excited to hear the Bible App has a reading plan for families that coincides with the picture book. you can find that here: Serah and the First Christmas – Bible App

Recommendation

I have never read a Christmas story from the perspective of a little shepherdess and I can’t wait to read this heartwarming story to my granddaughters who are three and five. I know they’ll fall in love with Serah and her quest to become a shepherdess. The girls love two stuffed sheep toys we have at our house. I can see them snuggling up with those just like Serah did, as they listen to this story.

This book brings a gentle message about love, belonging, and the call to see and care for others. It makes a lovely addition to any Christmas book collection.

I received a free advanced reader’s copy of this product. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.

Her nonfiction writing appears in national and worldwide publications, including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.