Leanne Franson – illustratör

"One starry night, In a stable very small…"Goodnight Jesus is the story of the Nativity of Jesus created for children in pictures and verse. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are there, the cow, the donkey and lambs are there, the shepherds and their sheep, the angels, the star, and the Kings with their camels are all there too.  It is the full Nativity scene as seen in creches (a model or tableau) all over the world. This gentle and beloved story is for the children, and for all of those who read it to them.The author, Judy Andry, remembers putting the creche under the Christmas tree as a child. On their honeymoon in Quebec in 1959, the first purchase she and her new husband made together was a pottery creche, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and a small lamb. They have put it out every Christmas since then.  When their three children were young, they needed a less breakable creche, so they purchased one made entirely of wood which the children arranged under the tree each year, with a star hanging above it.  Much later, on travels, they begin collecting creches of all different kinds which have become a major part of their Christmas decorations and traditions.  Because of this lifelong affection for the creche as a reminder of Jesus’ birth, when someone casually mentioned that a Goodnight Jesus book had never been written, the author knew immediately she would like to make that happen. Judy Andry’s enchanting poem, and Leanne Franson’s beautiful illustrations bring this timeless story to life. Though written for children ages two to six, this Christmas book filled with joyful rhymes, stunning illustrations, and adorable animals will be cherished by people of all ages who celebrate this day.