Re-Post: A Small Nativity by Aquiles Nazoa

NB: While Christmas is approaching, I will post one Christmas Book review every afternoon--some new reviews and some reposts from last year. You can find all my Christmas reviews here, and you can find lots more wonderful Christmas books in the LLB Christmas Book Shop

The Journey to Bethlehem
(Click on the image for a larger look)

TITLE: A Small Nativity

AUTHOR: Aquiles Nazoa

ILLUSTRATOR: Ana Palmero Caceres

PUBLISHED BY: Groundwood Books

ISBN: 978-0888998392

Nazoa, a winner of the Venezuelan National prize for Journalism, created this little poem about the birth of Christ. Embellishing tradition somewhat, he brought the figures of Mary and Joseph into the culture and context of Venezuela.

His poem captured the imagination of Caceres, another native Venezuelan, who decided to create fitting illustrations. Or should i say "illuminations"? because her illustrations are inspired by medieval manuscripts--and due worthy homage to that great tradition.

Much like the wonderful exotic nativities from around the world, both poem and illustrations reflect the tradition, as well as their own ethnic heritage. The poem and illuminations are perfectly suited to each other--matching line by line in eloquent detail. Take the following example:

The lovely Virgin shivers,

and he stops along the road

to take off his linen coat

and offer it to her.

Come my fairest damsel,

wrap this coat around you."

he says with forced good humor

as he feels the mischievous cold

tugging at the holes

in his striped shirt.

Now! Isn't that lovely? What language! "Mischievous cold" and "fairest damsel." And surely, St. Joseph did not wear a striped shirt--but if he had been a peasant in Venezuela, he would have.

Note, as well, Cacares' illustrations. Above we see Joseph wearing his humble yellow linen coat. But when he takes it off to shroud Mary in it, we find that it is lined in rich blue. There are other wonderful details--the villagers who turn away Mary and Joseph are drawn as different creatures (Jackal, tiger) that are were associated with evil in old illuminations. Likewise, she has a glossary of images in the back of the book.

This book is a real beauty, and--dare I say it?--my favorite illustrated Nativity thus far.

The Virgin is so tired and forlorn
(Click on the image for a larger look.)

Here are some other Nativity books I'd recommend: