The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson

(Paperback, 128 pages, first published in 1971)

Barbara Robinson’s popular and bestselling Christmas tale of the rowdy Herdmans has been beloved and celebrated since the book’s original release in 1972. 

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, and swear. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies—has a lot of people up in arms. And their wild antics cause havoc throughout the play’s production. But the actual pageant is full of surprises for everyone, starting with the Herdmans themselves, as they ultimately lead the town in finding the true meaning of Christmas. They will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever. 

Redeemed Reader Cautions: "Not only does Imogene swear in church, the actual words are in the text (profanity; not 4-letter words). Additionally, there is one comment about the Herdmans only talking about “sex” (which is an untrue accusation… but some kids may ask you what that means)." Read the full review here. 

Recommended Age: 8-12 or 7+ as a family read-aloud