Under the Christmas Tree: The First Noel: A Christmas Carousel by Jan Pienkowski

Part nativity story, part work of art, part Christmas decoration, and part family heirloom, Jan Pienkowski's The First Noel: A Christmas Carousel is on a wholly different level from the ordinary pop-up book.

The interior of the book consists of ten shadow box vignettes of scenes from the Nativity. Against a bright red background, exquisitely cut figures on white card stock unfold to tell the story. Opening into a five-pointed star secured with the red cords which tie up the cover, the book forms a three-dimensional "carousel" which stands on its own, displaying the events of the Nativitiy in order. A red cord loop even makes it possible to hang the book on a tree.

For its modest price The First Noel would make a wonderful keepsake for a child celebrating his or her first Christmas, for a couple decorating their first Christmas tree together, or for anyone who loves a memento of Christmases past.