Children dressed as Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the three wise men perform in their school Christmas pageant. The book opens with a scene of the class getting ready-hanging stars, painting scenery, and putting on costumes as a sheep on wheels "looks on." Then the story of the first Christmas unfolds in a simple text narrated by a red-headed boy. Tomie dePaola's bright colors and appealing scenes full of warmth and humor provide an original approach to a well-loved story in a board book perfect for the very young.

Originally published in 1978 as The Christmas Pageant in a longer picture book version,Tomie's Little Christmas Pageant with new text will delight a whole new audience.