The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By: Barbara Robinson

Narrated by: C. J. Critt

The six Herdman children are “absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world”. They lie and steal and smoke cigars. They even burned down Fred Shoemaker’s old toolhouse. Now they’re taking over the Christmas pageant.

The Herdmans have never heard the Christmas story before, and they don’t know anything about shepherds or Wise Men. When Imogene hears about the swaddling clothes, she demands to know why anyone would tie up a baby and put him in a feedbox. Leroy, Claude, and Ollie are planning on a gift that means much more than gold, frankincense, and myrrh - the ham from their Christmas basket.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, now also a television movie, has been a favorite of children and their parents since 1972. As C.J. Critt’s spirited narration captures the lively and outrageous spin that the Herdmans put on the Nativity scene, listeners will delight in this unusual and refreshing interpretation of Christmas.

©1972 Barbara Robinson (P)1997 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Elaine Stritch shares all of it like the best small-town gossip, and the voices of kids and grown-ups alike are real and, more importantly, funny. Events reel out at a breakneck pace, but Stritch's narration stays steady and in control." ( AudioFile)

not a very good reader

there are two versions of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. In this particular version the narrator is not very good. She does not seem to use the proper inflection to give you the feel of the story so to speak. However the other recording of This Book the narrator is spot-on! I will definitely be listening to the other version from here on out. Do yourself a favor by the other one it's the exact same story just read in a much better way!

Childhood and adulthood favorite

The humor is just as good as I remember it as a child. My kids and husband thought it hilarious too. Now, as an adult though, I am catching on to the humbling reality of our pride and comfort/familiarity we have with the Christmas story. It is indeed wonderful and to see it through the Herdman's eyes has been a humbling and sobering experience. It also gave me a great opportunity to point out to my kids, that "unchurched" people who might do things/say things we don't as Christian's should not be ostracized but need to be lovingly taught and told the gospel. Not judged and looked down on. It's become a new adulthood favorite as I laughed and choked back tears.

Great Story

My family enjoyed this story and had some great conversations about some of the ideas in it.

My favorite book.

The reader's voice is a little scratchy like that of an older lady. I'd prefer it be read by a younger voice, more consistent with the narrator character.

I’m not sure how this could have been any better. Story, performance - every element was excellent!

The audio dramatization of such a lively book with so many voices done so well you could just see the characters!

The story is delightful and makes you think seriously as well.