Long ago a man named Artaban and three companions followed a star to pay homage to a newborn child. Along the way Artaban stopped to help those in need. This touching story of one man's lifelong search for virtue captures the real meaning of Christmas. Watercolor illustrations.

"This may be more than a novel of high achievement, in fact; it may be the best work so far of a truly daring writer."—America Displaying his characteristic penchant for the macabre, the tender and the comic, Michael Tournier presents the traditional Magi describing their personal odysseys to Bethlehem—and audaciously imagines a fourth, "the eternal latecomer"' whose story of hardship and redemption is the most moving and instructive of all. Prince of Mangalore and son of an Indian maharajah, Taor has tasted an exquisite confection, rachat loukoum, and is so taken by the flavor that he sets out to recover the recipe. His quest takes him across Western Asia and finally lands him in Sodom, where he is imprisoned in a salt mine. There, this fourth wise man learns the recipe from a fellow prisoner, and learns of the existence and meaning of Jesus.

Far away, towards the Far East, the sun tree could be found, a huge tree, bigger than any tree imaginable. A whole palace was perched in its highest branches and the inhabitant of this palace was none other than the wisest man in the world. However, even though he had more knowledge than anyone else, he had a question that still troubled him, just as it troubles kings and all men: what happens to a man when the angel of death comes for him? Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author, poet and artist. Celebrated for children’s literature, his most cherished fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Match Girl". His books have been translated into every living language, and today there is no child or adult that has not met Andersen's whimsical characters. His fairy tales have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with the animated films "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and "Frozen", which is loosely based on "The Snow Queen", in 2013. Thanks to Andersen's contribution to children's literature, his birth date, April 2, is celebrated as International Children's Book Day.

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! You've got an elementary school program to do, but you haven't got a show that exactly meets your needs? Well, fret no more. Anything is possible with this madcap version of Henny Penny. Designed to fit you and your performers (you can adjust its length, cast size and complexity), it includes five hilarious songs (or chants if you can't find a pianist): "The Sky is Falling," "Magic Crystal Ball," "The Funky Monkey," "I Can't Reach It," and "Jumping to Conclusions." Your performers and audiences will be delighted because you make this show your very own. Do whatever you need to adjust it to your group size and ability level. Make it work for you. Suitable for grades K through 3"--Publisher's website

In this richly illustrated Christmas story, four wise astronomers travel in search of the newborn king. Three of them choose splendid gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But what can the fourth wise man bring? The problem is solved quite by accident when the fourth wise man's special gift is "a little bit of heaven itself." The young astronomer captures the special star's nighttime reflection in a jar of water and offers the glittering gift to the "king of heaven." Features and Benefits A heart-warming retelling of an ancient French legend shows that there is more to Christmas than anything money can buy. A Christmas story with a twist: four Wise men venture out to find the Christ-child instead of the traditional three. Brilliant, jewel-tone art with lots of detail for children to explore makes this book a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Each Christmas, adults and children alike delight at the story of the kings from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the newborn Christ. While this familiar tale is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, another little-known version later emerged that claimed to be the eyewitness account of the wise men. This ancient manuscript has lain hidden for centuries in the vaults of the Vatican Library, but through the determined persistence of a young scholar, Brent Landau, this astonishing discovery has been translated into English for the very first time as the Revelation of the Magi. Everything we know about the wise men is based on only a few verses from the Bible. With the Revelation of the Magi, we can now read the story from the Magi's perspective. Readers will learn of the Magi's prophecies of God's incarnation from the beginning of time, their startling visitation in the form of a star, the teachings they receive from the baby Jesus, and the wise men's joyous return to their homeland to spread the good news. This ancient version of the Christmas story is guaranteed to astonish and delight. It will also raise larger questions of the significance and meaning of Christ's birth, and the mission to spread the good news to every corner of the globe. All the drama and intrigue of the brief description of Jesus's birth in the Bible is filled out in greater, more colorful detail, offering for the first time the complete story of these beloved characters.

Maryam Baouardy is a daughter of Galilee, from a very poor family. At the age of three, she lost her father and mother and was adopted by her uncle. She never learned how to read or write, but her life became a remarkable succession of supernatural manifestations, worthy of Catherine of Siena or Teresa of Avila, from the stigmata to singular battles against Satan. From where does she draw the heavenly wisdom, childlike yet strong, that made her loved by all? Where does this burning love that consumes her come from? For her, just as for St. Paul, “to live is Christ”. This beautiful “Lily of Palestine” became Sr. Maryam of Jesus Crucified in the Carmelite Order. Both humble guardian of the grille and formidable forewoman, she was often visited by Jesus and Mary. The words she transmits from them, pearls of great price, are significant for us today as they enlighten the future of our broken world. Maryam died in Bethlehem in her 33rd year, on August 26, 1878, shortly after the birth of Thérèse of Lisieux in France. Pope John Paul II beatified her on November 13, 1983. It is impossible to know Maryam without falling in love with her, without yearning for holiness, at her school.

'The Greatest Gift' is an illustrated retelling of the story of the fourth wise man who, according to tradition, did not reach Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus but went on to devote his life to searching for him.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1876.