Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

A curious concept, Michael Card produces an album of songs about children in the life of Jesus. In style, most of these songs have stripped down arrangements built around Card's guitar or piano with support from a handful of musicians and singers. This has a Celtic feel with plenty of rootsyness going on and there's a certain charm here, though I'm not sure what the appeal of the album will be. Card is rightly known as the thinking man's Christian with a heart to communicate on deeper issues so it's nice to see him produce something which is lighter in flavour without being superficial in content. Outstanding tunes include the accordion and dulcimer flavoured "He Sends His Angels" and the opening song "When Jesus Was A Boy". Overall there are some great story songs and a wonderful guest appearance from Ashley Cleveland on "The Bully's Tune". If you're a fan, you'll love it, otherwise not ground breaking, just a warm, thoughtful set of songs.

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