The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. 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 and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever. "The book is outrageous, lively, funny, and wonderful. The Christmas story takes on a strangely moving depth of meaning and shines through with a new brilliance." -- Denver Post Barbara Robinson has written many popular books for children, including The Best Halloween Ever, The Best School Year Ever, and My Brother Louis Measures Worms. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an ALA Notable Children's Book and was filmed as a television movie. Elaine Stritch, a superlative dramatic actress, won a Tony Award for her one-woman show, Elaine Stritch, At Liberty. A four-time Tony nominee, she has starred in numerous plays and musicals including Bus Stop, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Company, and A Delicate Balance The Best Halloween Ever. She received a Grammy nomination for her recording of The Best Halloween Ever.