Book Review ~ The Children of the Chapel and the First Christmas by E.G. Enga
Book Review:
The Children of the Chapel and the First Christmas
By E.G. Enga
Illustrated by: Lora Schaunaman
ISBN-13: 979-8-88870-192-8
Publisher: Enroute Books and Media
Publication date: 2024
Pages: 107
Available in Paperback, Ebook, and Bulk Orders
Book Review:
Enga brilliantly weaves together an enchanting mystery of four children who embark on a mystical journey through time to the first Christmas. While all three children seem to go through a portal, being separated from each other, they have their own experience of the arrival of the newborn king, and finding their way to be present at the first Christmas. They meet many friends along the way, as they move towards reunifying with each other and returning to home via the chapel which served as a portal to the mystical dimension. This highlights the different journeys families go through, as well as reunification and returning home via the church and the Eucharist.
All celebrate the birth of the newborn king. While Enga weaves the story together, the names of the main characters harken back to the saints and/or biblical figures: Zelie, Miriam, Joseph, and John Paul. This is a wonderful book for children to explore not only their faith but what it would have been like to be present at the First Christmas. Enga marvelously brings together different perspectives and new experience of the nativity story for youth of all ages. Additionally, this book would make an excellent Christmas Gift for all youth, can be read by different ages of youth, or be read by an adult - to children. It would also make a great book for story time at catholic schools.