The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
 First edition | |
| Author | Barbara Robinson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Judith Gwyn Brown |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
Publication date | 1971 |
| Pages | 150 |
| ISBN | 0-06-025044-5 |
| OCLC | 588978 |
| Followed by | The Best Halloween Ever |
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (titled "The Worst Kids in the World" in Australia, New Zealand and the UK) is a book written by Barbara Robinson in 1971. It tells the story of Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys, six delinquent children named the Herdmans who were engaged in misfit behavior for their age such as smoking, drinking jug wine, and shoplifting. They go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, they are given roles in the Sunday school's Christmas play, in which they tell the Christmas story in a nonconventional fashion.[1] Robinson first published the story in McCall's magazine before it was adapted into a book, which sold over 800,000 copies.[1]
Plays and Television
The book was adapted by Robinson into a play which was first performed on November 26, 1982 by the Seattle Children's Theatre.[2] "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is an annual play performed by Public Theatre of Kentucky in Bowling Green, KY, Spotlight Youth Theatre in Glendale, AZ, and by The Communication Department of Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. The book was next adapted into a television movie on ABC in 1983, starring Loretta Swit. Robinson also wrote this adaptation's teleplay.[1]
The Herdmans were featured in two sequels, The Best Halloween Ever! and The Best School Year Ever.
References
- 1 2 3 Buck, Jerry (1983-12-03). "Meanest kids in town make the best pageant". The Free-Lance Star. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ↑ Playscript of The best Christmas pageant ever By Barbara Robinson