| The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | |
|---|---|
Cover of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever |
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| Author(s) | Barbara Robinson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | (fiction) |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Publication date | 1972 |
| Pages | 150 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0060250437 ISBN 978-0060250430 |
| OCLC Number | 588978 |
| Followed by | The Best school year 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 1972. It tells the story of six delinquent children surnamed Herdman. They go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, the Herdmans 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]
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 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.