cover image We Three Kings

We Three Kings

, . . S&S/Atheneum, $16.99 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-689-82114-1

Opulence befitting royalty characterizes Spirin's (The Tale of the Firebird ) lush, jewel-hued watercolor-and-colored-pencil interpretation of the beloved carol about the three wise men (and their extensive entourages) who traverse afar. A spread rendered in an antique-like palette and featuring a host of singing, trumpeting angels in an inky, starlit sky marks each refrain of the familiar tune. Although younger readers will need help understanding some of the phrasing, they'll be happy to read or hum along, or just gaze at the sumptuously outfitted parade of camels, elephants, horses and kings making their way to Bethlehem. All ages. (Oct.)