The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By Barbara Robinson, Laura Cornell (Illustrator)

Chaos ensues when the town's worst kids hijack the Christmas pageant.

4.3/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 179 ratings

40 pages· 997 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

The Herdmans, notorious for their wild antics, shock the town by taking over the annual Christmas pageant. Unfamiliar with the story, they bring their own chaotic twist, leaving everyone bracing for disaster. Yet, as the Herdmans' unconventional approach unfolds, they might just reveal the true spirit of Christmas, turning the most chaotic pageant into the most memorable one ever. Can this unruly bunch teach the town a lesson in holiday magic?

From the publisher

“Hey! Unto you a child is born!” Meet the Herdmans—they lie, cheat, and love to give clonks on the head. They are, without a doubt, the worst kids in the history of the world. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus—it’s all news to them. So they’re convinced that the Wise Men should bring pizza and that the Angel of the Lord is straight out of a comic book. Everyone worries that this year’s pageant will be horrible (just like the Herdmans!), but they are sure to make it the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever. Adapted from the beloved novel of the same name, this sparkling picture-book version is perfect for younger children. They will delight in the antics of the terrible Herdmans, who surprise everyone when they capture the true meaning of Christmas.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 997
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD760L

Themes & topics

Books about Christmas Books about holidays Books about siblings Books about Christmas and advent Books about habits and behavior

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.3

out of 7

4.3

“This picture book adaptation of a chapter book Christmas classic is a great way to introduce younger readers to a great story with a great lesson, even if the chapter book version is still far superior. I wasn't in love with the illustrations personally, but their crazy messiness compliments the Herdmans and the havoc they wreak everywhere they go.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

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