The Birth of Jesus: A Christmas Pop-Up Book

The story of the Nativity unfolds, or rather pops up, in six three-dimensional scenes. The pages open calendar-style, and Traini’s modest pop-ups are mostly used to architectural effect, creating an outcropping of rock for Mary and Joseph to descend on their way to Bethlehem, the multilevel inn that has no room for them, and the beams and rafters of the stable in which they rest. The accompanying retelling sticks to the basics, adhering to information found in biblical accounts (“A chorus of angels sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace to the people on earth’ ”), but Traini’s chunky cartooning helps bring a bit more personality to the pages. Ages 3–8. (Sept.)