The Littlest Angel

by Charles Tazewell, Paul Micich (Illustrator)

When heaven prepares for the birth of Christ, the Littlest Angel is not sure what he can give the Baby, but his gift turns out to be the best of all. Ages 4-8.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Christian, Classics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Charles Tazewell was the author of books for children, many of them with a Christmas theme. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and he lived in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Micich did the artwork here and I’m not sure I really enjoy it. It is Escher-esque and part 40s nostalgia of heaven and part new age concepts. The story is from 1946 and this is a new edition.

As a child, I saw the show about this often enough during the Christmas season. I thought it was a good story. It’s a story of giving what little you have as a gift. If your gift is from the heart, it is precious indeed. I like that, but there are problems with this story. Heaven is made so strict and disciplined. It’s not fun or a place for children which doesn’t make sense as many scriptures talk about children. I don’t know why we associate joy and this place we all want to go to with following rules. Well, the story was written in the 40s. It’s why people began associating hell with a party. Who wants rules when you can party. It has everything backwards. Heaven is a place of fellowship, meaning people and a party. Hell is a place of isolation and suffering. There is no party. This story was probably part of confusing things.

Anyway. Not that this really matters. I’m using the metrics of the story and it is simplistic. I don’t think there is really much understanding of the afterlife here. I don’t think there was meant to be. I think the kernel of the story is the idea of giving from the heart. The story does that well. The other stuff with heaven, it gets all wrong. The story sort of works and sort of doesn’t.

Anyway, I got around to read this book. It’s an interesting story, but it doesn’t touch me the way it did when I was a child. The character of the little angel draws you in. He is worth following and everything else is a big mess, in my own opinion. It’s a good piece of fiction that has lasted.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that is a family tradition started many, many years ago. My mom bought it one Christmas when I was a teenager, and since then has purchased it for each of my siblings and their families. I loved the story as a youth and still to this day feel the same about it. So, not only was it a tradition when I was a teenager and still living at home with my parents, but it has carried on to be a tradition to read Christmas Eve with my husband and daughters.

We love it and no Christmas Eve is complete without having my daughters ask, "When is it time to read 'The Littlest Angel?'"

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and draw my eyes in every time. Each page we have to take time to look at them as if we haven't seen them before. Sweet and tender story.

Happy Reading!!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my single most favorite story for Christmastime. (I just now realized I have a 1947 copy published by Ideals Publishing Corporation.) The story is very vivid and detailed. The sentiments are so universal to anyone who, at any age, pondered why anyone would look forward to Heaven when it sounded so dull and Earth was so much more interesting. Clearly, the lesson about the gift of the Littlest Angel is also timeless.

I just read it tonight to my son and it occurs to me that this book is a clear example of the "dumbing down" of children and our/societies lowered expectations of young children. The vocabulary alone shows that the author knew children didn't have to know or be able to actually read every single word in a book. That a "children's book" could be written with the expectation that an adult would read it aloud. And that context clues were readily available to make those "above-level" words less distracting. Perhaps, children "back then" didn't get quite as frustrated and give up when encountering a big, unknown word. I don't know but it struck me strongly enough that I had to find the book on Goodreads and write about it.

Vocabulary includes: precipitous, ornamental, loitering, ingenious, fastidious, lamentably, irreverent, blasphemous,consummate.

I cannot think of a modern equivalent of a children's illustrated book with such verbal maturity. I am so glad I have kept this original story and not opted for the abbreviated or re-written version found in many a Christmas Story Collection

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was all at once too old for young children and too young for adults. There was something about the illustrations I didn't particularly care for, but it's hard for me to put my finger on what. The part about the little boy's wooden box of treasures that he presents for the Christ child was the only part of the book that I really enjoyed.

But, to be fair, I read three stories to one of my daughters tonight (this being one of them). She chose this story as her favorite.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story! I was, however, not a fan of the illustrations. They just didn't seem to fit my imagination's view of the tale although others will probably feel differently. Still, this is a beautiful tale not to be missed! :-)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and charming. I can see why it's a classic!

[Cory Howell · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I was a child, I loved this book. It's always been a favorite of my mother and grandmother. In fact, my grandmother just gave my daughter her copy of the book, which had been given to her by my late aunt. So I wanted to like this book when I read it to my daughter today. However...

The theology of this book could not be more flawed. It perpetuates the old folk theology of angels being human beings who died and went to heaven, and idea completely at odds with the Biblical picture of angels. Furthermore, it perpetuates all of the common cliches about Heaven: golden streets, a gatekeeper (presumably St. Peter) who writes the names of new "angels" in a big book, angels playing harps, etc., etc. Then there's the whole plot of the Littlest Angel being so "unpopular" in Heaven: all of the other angels look down on him, he's a nuisance, and he's completely afraid of God's wrath for the "blasphemy" of his gift. So apparently, according to Tazewell's theology, all of the fears, jealousies, misunderstandings, etc. that we currently face here on earth, are simply continued in Heaven, despite the nice surroundings there. What a crock to teach children!

There's very little that I can actually recommend about this book: it's sentimental, syrupy, completely flawed, folk theology, presented as an inspirational tale for children. The pictures are nice, but that's about it. I probably will not read it to my daughter again, and if she discovers it on her own, I will do my best to teach her how fundamentally flawed the story is.

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing of Charles Tazewell is very strong, and flows in a pleasing rhythm throughout the entire book. Additionally, the illustrations of Sergio Leone fit the story perfectly and with rare beauty.
What I take from this classic story most of all is not just that one can present oneself to Jesus without shame, despite one's own imperfections and simplicity and ordinary facade, but that the sacrifices and love and hopes and dreams and feelings of the very small and young matter greatly, and should not dare be ignored or belittled by anyone else. What is important to a four-year-old does not some day become of no importance if others (or even they, themselves) forget how significant it is.

[Patrick O'Hannigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

In some circles, this book is regarded as a Christmas Classic. From where I sit, however, George Bailey's nemesis Mr. Potter would have been right to lump this story with the motivations for the Bailey Building and Loan as "sentimental hogwash."

Tazewell has good things to say about gift-giving, and few children are likely to be offended by an angel who seems so much like one of them, but therein lies one big problem with the book: it pushes the unfortunate and unscriptural idea that angels are or were once humans. Having established that the "littlest angel" is basically a toddler with wings, Tazewell then suggests that he is bored in heaven. That boredom is central to the plot, such as it is. Cripes!

Skip this and read O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" instead.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Christmas story since I was a tiny girl T Christmas.

[Fen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christmas books as a child... the copy I have originally belonged to my grandparents when my mom was young.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stars are for the illustrations. I didn't care about the religious story that is set to indoctrinate and brainwash children.

[Beth Hollmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one of my favorite Christmas books. It makes me cry every time. This sweet little boy has passed away on earth and is now an angel, and is having a hard time doing all the things angels are supposed to do - he would much rather run and play. Finally he is allowed to go back and retrieve a box of special mementos from his home on earth. As Christ is about to leave heaven and be born on earth, the angels begin to present him with gifts, and the one that is chosen as His favorite is perhaps not what one would expect.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priceless Classic

I loved this book as a child but hadn’t read it for many, many years until a Goodreads friend’s review reminded me of it. This is the lovely story of the tiniest angel in heaven who gives his most cherished possessions to the Christ child. This book makes me sob, so much that I can’t read this book aloud to the grandchildren. I think it’s the thought of a four year old in heaven and it’s just too much to bear.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable Christmas story about a little child angel who is always getting into trouble, but who gives what he prizes most in the world to the Christ child. He is then ebarassed to have given something that most people would find useless and offensive. But, his gift is the one that is accepted and is used to create the star to lead others to the babe in Bethlehem. So sweet.

[Autumn Doughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books of all time. I cry every time I read it! The illustrations are beautiful and the whole story is lovely and moving. I look forward to the day when my own daughters are old enough to appreciate this book.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this as a child. Something about a chubby, grubby little angel who has to chase after his halo and who bites his wing-tips when he is nervous made the story very memorable for me. I didn't enjoy it quite as much rereading it as an adult, but it is a very sweet Christmas story.

[Vaishali · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must have read this book hundreds of times when I was a child, just because it was lying around the house... and hated every moment of it :) Never understood those stupid gifts he got.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on openlibrary.org the edition ill. by Porfirio. Pretty, and sweet story. My memories of the Johnny Whitaker film are more impressive, though.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book aloud is a Christmas Eve tradition with my kids.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book about a sad little angel. He's too young and bored with Heaven. Gets his box from Earth and is happy. Jesus to be born, everyone giving gifts. Angel gives contents of his box. God is pleased, likes it best b/c the things are from Earth, which is where his son is to be born. Turns the box into a star that shows the way to Jesus.

[Wienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations!! I think its moral is giving from the heart, that a gift's value is reflected on the giver's sincerity in giving it.

I just don't agree with the child being considered as someone who makes heaven unheavenly. If heaven is real, I hope it accepts souls in all forms and sees beyond souls' appearance.

Nonetheless, it's worth the read.

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits differently as an adult re-reading this. Brought me to tears.

[Regan Gambier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family classic. We read it every year.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not expecting an overtly religious Christmas book. Nothing about the cover or even the first half of this very wordy book hinted at that. There's probably an audience for this book. But I don't like it.

[Susannah]

My mother read this to me once when I was perhaps two years old, and I never forgot it, because she cried while she was reading it, and I didn't understand why. I always remembered the illustrations and even some of the specific sentences. Much later in life, I realized that she was probably crying because she lost a baby, my older sister, who was 6 months old at the time. And here she was, reading it to a living daughter, who could also get sick and die, as anyone can. She might have had it all to go through again. I really don't know whether I would have remembered this book if my mother hadn't cried when she read it to me. The line I remember most was, "A butterfly captured on a warm Jerusalem day."

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title most definitely sounds familiar although reading the story itself wasn't as much. Anyway the story is an interesting one that has a good message but is a bit hard in its delivery to the reader, especially to some of the youngest out there.

First of all I find it hard that there would be just one littlest angel since if the concept were to go with that angels are dead people (we won't discuss that whole theological point or not) then there should be a whole slew since unfortunately a lot of small children die. Therefore our protagonist wouldn't be the only one frowned upon or looked down on while it would take away his distinguishing mark. Although it does imply that the Understanding Angel was probably once the littlest angel so angels can grow?

Meanwhile Tazewell's concept of Heaven ends up being frivolous and takes away from the actual concept of Heaven. By allowing in basic emotions the angels are continuing their sins, which would take them out of God's presence, and angels are known for being sinless while man is sinful.

Going away from the theological points of the book you find the story is longer than most young crowds may be able to withstand. To add a thorn to the problem is the fact that the author also throws in the usage of words that would leave some people scrambling for a dictionary so young readers may find some problems upon reading the book itself.

All in all it is a good book to read at least once to share the message with your family. From there it would make for an easy lesson and/or discussion that allows children to know that gifts from the heart are best, especially when we consider this material world that we are living in.

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. On the surface it seems like such a sweet story about an ornery little boy giving a heartfelt gift to Jesus for his birth. However while I was reading it to my kids I kept thinking it just felt wrong. It portrayed the other angels in Heaven as judgemental and annoyed with the little angel who was extremely bored in Heaven. I didn't feel like that was a very good message to send to kids (let alone very untruthful!) about Heaven. The redeeming quality of story was how the littlest angel gave a very humble gift to baby Jesus and God loved it the best.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book from kindergarten. I thought it was a cartoon, because I can remember movement, but I remember the specific illustrations of the copy I have, a reprint with the Leone illustrations. It made a real impression on me as a five year old, so when I came upon it as an adult, I snatched it up. I still treasure the sweet story of a typical boy now struggling to behave as an angel, who sacrifices his boyish treasures with heartwarming results.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

While technically a Christmas story, it doesn't really get to have anything to do with Christmas until the end. And considering this all takes place in heaven, the bar for entrance seems really low considering how uncharitable, rude, and judgmental some of those angels are. I can't imaging treating a child like that on earth, much less in heaven.