A Cracking Christmas

Out of the Ark Music

Rating:

A Cracking Christmas is a collection of 30 songs, written by a number of different composers, suitable for use across the range of KS1and KS2 from Out of the Ark Music.

As with their other publications, the book is well presented with a clear piano score and guitar chords, as well as word only versions of the songs in the back of the book. The accompanying CD contains a high quality performance of each song by the ‘Out of the Ark’ Choir and there is a separate CD of the backing tracks, again of a very high standard. The subject matter of the songs ranges from such subjects as Christmas crackers and shopping, to the Nativity. Only a third of the songs focus on the Christmas story itself; perhaps not making this the ideal book if looking for a large collection of new material for a more traditional Nativity service. However, these few songs do reflect different aspects of the Nativity story and there is a range of styles of music represented within them from praise to more reflective songs.

As the majority of the songs cover the more secular aspects of Christmas, this book is a good resource for schools who wish to celebrate the festival without demanding any belief on the part of the singers. This is a good collection of songs which I believe children will enjoy singing. 

Reviewer: Andrew Hornsby, Music and RE Subject Leader and Collective Worship Co-ordinator, Holton-le-Clay Junior School, Lincolnshire

Review posted on: 16 November 2009

Product information:

Disclaimer:

All resource reviewers are volunteers and offer their reviews for the sole purpose of informing and guiding fellow Christian educators.

All opinions reflect the professional and/or personal judgements of reviewers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ACT. Reviewer recommendations do not imply endorsement of publications by ACT, nor does ACT accept any responsibility for books, CDs, CD ROMs, DVDs, video cassettes, poster packs, photo packs or other materials reviewed on this site or in any of its other publications.