THE BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS
by Olivia Armstrong
Illustrated by Mira Miroslavova
Eerdmans Books
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
A stunning folktale about the Nativity, set on a chilly night in Bethlehem.
“Wake up, wake up, birds!” croaks Raven one December night. “A child is born!” Each bird longs to bring a gift to the newborn baby in the manger. Nightingale sings a sweet song; Rooster caws a special call; Stork plucks her feathers to make a pillow. “I have nothing to give,” thinks little Robin. But as the night grows colder, the fire keeping the stable warm burns lower and lower. Maybe even a tiny bird has her own way to show her love for the newborn Prince of Peace…
Illustrated in lush blues and golds, The Birds of Christmas invites children to join the flock gathering around the manger. This beautiful book is an unforgettable reminder of the wonder of Christmas and the priceless gift of compassion.
“Wake up, wake up, birds!” croaks Raven one December night. “A child is born!” Each bird longs to bring a gift to the newborn baby in the manger. Nightingale sings a sweet song; Rooster caws a special call; Stork plucks her feathers to make a pillow. “I have nothing to give,” thinks little Robin. But as the night grows colder, the fire keeping the stable warm burns lower and lower. Maybe even a tiny bird has her own way to show her love for the newborn Prince of Peace…
Illustrated in lush blues and golds, The Birds of Christmas invites children to join the flock gathering around the manger. This beautiful book is an unforgettable reminder of the wonder of Christmas and the priceless gift of compassion.
MY TIDBITS
Folklore swings into the Christmas story to create a beautiful tale with a different twist.
The birds are excited as they learn that a newborn baby lies in the manger. Each one wants to offer something to honor the child, but a little robin isn't sure what it can give. The birds offer the presents, one by one, with only the robin left wondering. But it ends up giving something from the heart and something happens.
This is a gorgeously illustrated book, and it's enjoyable simply to flip through the various scenes. Honestly, I ended up doing that my first time through, reading the text with only partial interest, since the artwork draws in and the birds are amazing. The tale works well, too. Especially the first half flows with lyrical wings to match the illustration and create a warm, vibrant atmosphere so fitting to the wonder of the holiday. There is a moment, where a bird lets out a phrase in Latin, which will go over young readers/listeners heads completely, but this also doesn't pull out of the tale. Rather, it gives it a traditional feel to fit the already lovely tone.
Since this book follows a legend and not the traditional Christmas story completely, the ending did catch me a little off-guard. Not in a bad way but it takes a twist. The importance of Jesus is never mentioned outside of the fact that the birds want to give this baby presents. So, if you're looking for the traditional Christmas story, this isn't it in the entire sense. But it's caring and beautiful in its own right. Mary has a hand in the myth surrounding the robin at the end. Considering this surrounds the myth, it is well done and brings the message across with reverence and warmth to match the rest of the beautiful read.
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