Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem    by Maya Angelou, Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher Order:  USA  Can Schwartz & Wade, 2008 (2008) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Well in advance of the holidays, here's a must-have addition to your Christmas picture book collection - an illustrated rendition of Maya Angelou's remarkably stirring Christmas poem, Amazing Peace. Steve Johnson's and Lou Fancher's evocative illustrations fill in the joyous family life that brightens Angelou's Glad Season for all of us, despite the 'gray and threatening' weather outside. There's a strong sense of community as 'Christmas enters, / Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope / And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.' Angelou tells us that in this holiday season 'Hope spreads around the earth, brightening all things' as people everywhere welcome 'what we have hungered for', whatever our faith, 'the Peace of Christmas.' It's time to add Amazing Peace to the set of picture book classics you read together every year - it's a most welcome addition to my holiday library. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews