One Star, Three Kings: The Journey of Epiphany – by Rebecca Grabill, illustrated by Isabella Grout, published by Paraclete Press ( https://paracletepress.com/) – This picture book provides some backstory for Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior as they follow the star to search for the Christ child.

It begins with the passage from Matthew 2:1-12 that tells of the magi’s visit to King Herod and their search for the Christ Child. It then focuses on the kings’ lives before they set out to follow the star. Melchior knew the prophecy recorded by Daniel, saying when the great king would come, and that the time was near. They bring their gifts and follow the star. I love that when they go to see Jesus, he is depicted as a toddler, which was likely the case. The book also has the three magi returning to Jerusalem later in life after hearing stories of Jesus and ultimately being baptized.

Interspersed within the story are nonfiction sections that describe what we know about the magi, the prophecies from the Old Testament that guided their search, what the star may have been, the gifts they brought, and the way Epiphany is celebrated. I wish that the story and the nonfiction sections were separated, with one in the front and one in the back, because I think it disrupts the storytelling value of One Star, Three Kings: The Journey of Epiphany. However, it is still a lovely picture book to share for Epiphany.  

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