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.
"A gracefully told Christmas story."
--Kirkus Reviews
"A desire to serve shines...Crisply textured feathers, cross-hatched backgrounds, and whimsical landscapes distinguish Miroslavova's stylized images, rendered in graphite pencil and saturated digital color, making this 'Little Drummer Boy'-flavored story especially inviting."
--Publishers Weekly
"Lyrical...Lovely colored-pencil illustrations in blues, reds, and golds radiate warmth in this gentle Christmas narrative."
--Booklist
"This gentle book reminds children that they are enough of a gift themselves on Christmas. Hand-drawn illustrations guide readers through the night with calming winter tones and beautiful bursts of red and orange."
--School Library Journal
"Beautifully illustrated."
--Horn Book
Olivia Armstrong is a professional storyteller with a repertoire of folktales, folklore, myths, and legends. She has curated and hosted performances for major organizations including Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery, the British Library, Hampton Court Palace, and Windsor Castle. Originally from Northern Ireland, Olivia currently lives and tells stories in London. The Birds of Christmas is her debut picture book. Visit her website at oliviaarmstrongstoryteller.com.
Mira Miroslavova has created art for many picture books and novels, including a cover for National Book Award Finalist The Ogress and the Orphans (Algonquin) and The Secret Fairy Club with Raahat Kaduji (Magic Cat). Her style was influenced by a mixture of classic fairy tales, beautiful forests and old movies. Raised near Sofia, Bulgaria, Miroslavova currently lives in Manchester, England. Follow her on Instagram @miramiroslavova.
Target age: 4 to 8
Eerdman's Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: August 12, 2025
0.36" H x 10.4" L x 8.74" W
40 pages
Hardcover