The worst kids in the history of the world.

Each year, my boys and I kick of the Christmas holiday season by reading one of our favorite books, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Park. It begins: "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." OK, the author has our attention. The conflict starts as soon as the reader becomes acquainted with the Herdman clan and he/she is tempted to discover just how bad the Herdmans can be. The plot thickens as they become the center of the traditional Christmas Pageant.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is not a warm and fuzzy Christmas story of sugar plums or Santa Claus. It is a humorous tale of five children who have never heard of the birth of Jesus. The author brilliantly touches the heart by imagining the revelation of Christ to the worst kids in the history of the world. The reader is left with a new perspective of the miracle of Christ's birth.

This story is an enjoyable way for us to begin the Christmas season. I hope you will consider checking it out to share with your family.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever