Member Reviews

This rendition of the beloved Christmas song, Silent Night, features illustrations by Lara Hawthorne. that are reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keat's art. A sweet, simple book, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the artwork as much as they enjoy the lyrics to Silent Night.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne is a beautiful story telling of a beloved Christmas Carol. I love how Ms. Hawthorne takes a beloved Christmas Carol and sets it's verses to a story format. I think Silent Night would be perfect for families to read during the Christmas Season. I highly recommend Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne! Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

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This picture book reproduces the text of the Christmas carol "Silent Night," and the illustrations are lovely. The illustrations have a dark backdrop with a sky full of stars, and depict the Nativity story in a respectful, faithful way while also including lots of interesting details from the illustrator's imagination. At the end of the book, there is a brief summary of the history of this Christmas carol.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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If you are looking for a simple telling of the Nativity story then this book is for you. Very much the same as others.

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The English words are those of the German religious song with a brief story of how and why the song was written. But the artwork is of the sort I associate with Grandma Moses but there is no snow, and the people shown have more in common with those of Mediterranean countries than the Norse. I love it!
The illustrations by the author are delightful, colorful, and fun!
Well suited for reading WITH someone of ANY age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions provided by Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books | Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley.

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Very cute ! I love that it’s the lyrics of the song “Silent Night”. Perfect for children to learn the lyrics and understand the story at the same time. It even has some information at the end about the song. The only problem for me is pictures seemed very loud to me. I would feel overwhelmed thinking there’s a lot going on.

I still recommend this book for parents who want their kids to learn about this song. It’s perfect for Christmas!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

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This book is full of beautiful artwork. I would recommend it to patrons looking for simple children's books about Christmas. I love that the characters in the book look like they're from the location being portrayed.

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An enchanting book for children, it brings the well known, beloved carol, Silent Night to life.

Each page is dancing with drawings evoked by a line of the carol, tracing the journey of Mary and Joseph on that holy night millenia ago when the Saviour was born.

The drawings burst forth with all the joy of the first Christmas as they make their way blithely through the carol.

A treasure trove to live the Christmas story with your children, this book is sure to become a bedtime favourite or a night before Christmas family tradition.

Thanks to @NetGalley and the publishers @Quarto Publishing Group, Frances Lincoln Children's Books for an e-ARC of this lovely tale. The views are my own.

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The illustrations in this book are beautiful. I will definitely be buying it for the children in my life this Christmas.

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An illustrated book version of the Christmas song we know. This book has lovely illustrations especially of the night sky. I enjoy when songs are made into books because it provides a good learning opportunity for kids whether that be matching words with the text or associating the song/text with the illustrations. Very nice book for the Christmas season.

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This is what I said about this volume in early 2024, and there is nothing to make me change my mind:-

A reprint of the 2018 book, that gave us the lyrics to Silent Night, alongside illustrations suitably showing the Nativity as a busy if somehow serene event, with the core of it all being the family concerned – and their ethnicity, for they are clearly a lot darker here than in, perhaps, the church for which this was written, according to the footnote. A corrective, then, to those who don't know anything beyond the first verse, and who have their Mary and Joseph as too westernised, but not really something for us atheists – this, even with the context and wartime history of the song, is rubbing all the secularity away from it.

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Beautifully portrayed, this retelling of the Nativity Story offers a glimpse into the birth of Jesus. Each verse of “Silent Night” is illustrated. A joy to read!

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Beautiful art work accompanying words to Silent Night.

Illustrations created in gouache and edited in photoshop; beautiful and unique look.

Love the legend about the creation of the song at the end of the book.

Silent Night pulls at my heart string always; my grandmother gave me an angel music box over 50 years ago; it still works and has a place of honor in my China cabinet.

Original book publication is 2018, rerelease in 2024. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Quatro Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the opportunity to review Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne in exchange for an honest review. 32 pages. Publication date is Oct 1, 2024.

Plan to purchase for a gift.

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Very sweet children's picture book!

The words to this book are simply the words to the well-loved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. But it's the incredible illustrations that make the book worthy of your shelf!

It's rare to find such a beautifully illustrated children's book these days. The pictures are elegant and colorful without being overstiumlating. They draw the eye in and give plenty to look on and think over without becoming overwhelming for the child.

I'm always on the hunt for quality children's literature to add to my bookshelf and I would say this fits the bill. And I thought the story of the hymn plus the lyrics in the back were a nice touch!

Absolutely recommend this holiday read for children!

Thank you to NetGalley

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This is a beautifully illustrated story to go along with one of the most classic Christmas songs. I will absolutely be reading this aloud to my children at Christmas time and can see myself referencing in a recommended Christmas guide.

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Book Review: Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

Rating: 5 Stars

As the festive season approaches, I find myself diving into all things Christmas, and "Silent Night" by Lara Hawthorne is just the perfect addition to my collection. This beautifully illustrated picture book truly captures the magic of the holiday spirit in a way that is both nostalgic and fresh.

In "Silent Night," Hawthorne takes us on a journey through the beloved carol, bringing each lyric to life with stunning illustrations. As I flipped through the pages, I was mesmerized by how every detail— from the quaking shepherds to the heavenly angels—was depicted in a way that felt both timeless and relevant. The best part? The book showcases a diverse cast of characters, reflecting a wonderful range of skin tones that adds richness and depth to the Nativity Story. It's heartwarming to see such inclusivity in a holiday classic!

What really struck me was the vibrant colors and lush artistry that Hawthorne employs throughout the book. Each page is a feast for the eyes, making it a delightful experience not just for kids but for adults like me who appreciate the beauty of illustration. The care taken in depicting this cherished song is evident, and it makes reading "Silent Night" feel like a special event rather than just another bedtime story.

At the end of the book, there's a history of the carol and the full lyrics. It not only enhances the reading experience but also educates younger readers about the significance of the song in the Christmas tradition. I can easily see this book becoming a cherished part of many families' holiday traditions. Whether it’s reading it aloud on Christmas Eve or using it as a cozy decor piece on the coffee table, "Silent Night" is more than just a book; it's an experience that reinforces the joy and warmth of the season.

In short, if you're looking for a beautiful addition to your child's Christmas collection that can be enjoyed year after year, I wholeheartedly recommend "Silent Night" by Lara Hawthorne. It's a timeless treasure that celebrates both the spirit of Christmas and the beauty of diversity—perfect for sharing with family and friends!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

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Lovely illustrations to go along with the lyrics to the Christmas carol Silent Night. And a nice little history lesson about the song at the end. This would definitely be a good addition to your collection of Christmas books.

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Thank you so much Quarto Publishing/ Frances Lincoln Children’s and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

A beautifully illustrated depiction of the birth of Christ along side the hymn Silent Night. Silent Night is one of my personal favourite songs to sing around the holiday’s and this was a stunning creation from it, each page shares verses of the song with illustrations of that scene from the night of Christ’s birth.

This a beautiful read, it’s mostly illustrations that are so stunning, showing you the story and seeing all the beauty and characters from that night and as the Shepard’s meet the angels and travel to see the lord, but adding the beautiful song alongside really enhanced it.

This is a perfect Christmas Eve read and sing along before bed, it’s so simple but so very effective. A great read, especially those of the religions that celebrate Christ. I also liked at the end we got the story of how the hymn was created what a sweet addition to the story.

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A gorgeously illustrated book based on the Christmas hymn "Silent Night", this was just lovey to look at as the beloved hymn ran through my head [of course, that meant I hummed/sang it all day because of it. LOL]

Perfect for people who celebrate the religious side of Christmas or for those who just love that beautiful song; this will quickly become a holiday favorite.

Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lara Hawthorne, and Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a beautiful book with the Silent Night carol imagining. Excellent for a Christmas season before bed story time, talking about Jesus and the most beautiful night of all. Lovely graphics.

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