Humphrey's First Christmas Paperback – September 1, 2013

I fell victim to Pinterest and decided to wrap up 24 Christmas books and have the kids open one a day as an advent calendar this past Christmas season. I started wrapping up the books we already had in the bookshelf and Christmas bin and realized I would need a lot more. I found I had the standards - How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Classic Seuss), Polar Express 30th anniversary edition and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - but I wanted some that told the nativity and focused on the birth of Jesus as the basis of Christmas. We don't attend church every weekend and I wanted to remind my kids (5 and 8) about the real root of the holiday.I found this book while searching and I am so glad we did! This is such a sweet approach to the nativity story, told from the point of view of Humphrey. Humphrey is a young camel in one of the three wise men's caravan. He's young and lazy and quite the complainer but he has a good heart that comes out in the end. The illustrations are absolutely charming and the story is adorable. It isn't beat you over the head religious but tells the story of the birth of Jesus with humor and a sense of wonder and awe. My kids absolutely loved it!This was the one book that the kids went to over and over even with multiple other choices available - my 5 year old wanted us to read it every night along with the new selection. We love a lazy, slightly chilly camel named Humphrey and look forward to reading this one every year. Next year it will be the first one we open so we can enjoy it over and over!

I think the illustrations are beautiful in this book, and the story is sweet. I like to give it as a gift to friends with young children.

My kids love it. It is a re-read multiple times during Christmas each year

This book is for pre school age; cute, short in length and awesome illustrations.Little different perspective on Christmas point of view from a camel… one of the wise men.

What a delightful little book! As a pastor, I am always on the prowl for engaging little books to share with children about the nativity, especially on a "story time" and not Sunday School basis. The absolutely beautiful, splendidly detailed artwork captures the eye, and the addition of Humphrey's grouchy, egotistical voice helps turn the story away from the normal saccharine tellings of the baby in the manger. A sly turn of the story at the end is wonderful.Of course, if you are looking for a thorough exegetical take, buy The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library). And, yes, for those wishing for timeline precision (at least in some timelines) this book elides birth and prophetic narratives. This is a fun little retelling of the story with just enough poignancy to make it appropriate for a reverent birth story.

The pictures are fantastic. I like the premise of the story, he wanted a blanket, finally got one, gave it to baby Jesus - but I do think it was a little under-developed and choppy, even for a children’s book.

I read this to my students each year as well give it as a gift to new parents.

Wonderful children’s book to celebrate with your Christmas……with your Christmas

Traditionally I give a yearly keepsake Christmas book to each of my kids - this one caught my eye because my son recently returned from Morocco and actually spent time travelling on a camel! Thankfully the theme wasn't the only thing to give it a thumbs up for... it is an incredibly sweet simple story with a touch of humour with beautifully detailed illustrations - the illustrator especially managed to capture a goofy and loveable personality in the camel. It ends with a heartwarming Christian moral.

Das ist ein sehr gutes Buch um Kindern die Weihnachtsgeschichte auf lustige Art & Weise näher zu bringen….die Bilder mit dem Kamel sind einfach zu komisch….unser Sohn lacht sich schlapp…

We love this book, it is a great way of telling the Christmas story from the camels point of view in a unique and humorous way. I think I enjoyed it more than my 3 year old last Christmas but I know it'll be one we read for many years to come and will also provide a good chance to teach him more about the true me a of Christmas.

This book is an entertaining and imaginative read with a warm message to help remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Beautiful images. The story keeps the true values of Christmas alive. The little one loved it.