Childrens Book Review of The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola

Avian meals are spaced according to whether the particular bird feeds:

• Earlier in the morning;
• Early in the mid-day;
• Late in the afternoon;
• Later in the early evening.

Early-risers traditionally get praised in folklores worldwide for gathering the choicest foods. In The Birds of Bethlehem, they have the additional advantage of hearing the breaking news about world-changing events in the birthplace of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah’s second king, David (1040 B.C.? – 970 B.C.?). Accurately differentiated by shade, six avian couples learn of:

• Heavenly sights;
• Traffic patterns.

Each couple makes individual contributions to the data-gathering forays which diurnal forages become:

• Brown and yellow about filled-up inns;
• Green about lined-up travelers;
• Turquoise about a stable-lodged couple.  

Each informational tidbit contributes to the enthusiasm of all 12 songbirds for:

• Catching the latest news;
• Witnessing the unfolding events.  

Heavenly appearances and terrestrial reactions drive avian decisions to observe the makeshift lodgings and the young couple for themselves. According to the dark and light red-colored songbirds, an angel encourages shepherds to leave their pastures in order to rejoice in Bethlehem’s newborn baby. Per the dark and light grey-colored avian couple, the skies fill up with the sights and sounds of angelic choirs. But it is the cream- and off-white avian pair that has the honor of reporting:

• The humble manger and stable;
• The joyful shepherds;
• The peaceful family of nice-mannered husband and wife and well-behaved child.

Tomie dePaola can be counted on to create beautifully illustrated, clearly written storybooks. He excels in producing stories which relate to:

• Catholic beliefs;
• Italian folklore.

He gathers deep truths into an artistic package which is modern in appeal and traditional in technique. For example, the acrylic-painted illustrations in The Birds of Bethlehem have the impact of frescoes while the book’s jacket is entitled in iridescent silver letters whose color changes with different angles and lighting. The text is specific to Christmas Eve and Day even though its message of joyful achievements and peaceful futures have universal applicability. The ensemble welcomes all ages even though educators categorize the target audience as:

• Ages 3 – 5;
• Grades preschool to kindergarten.

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

The Journey of the Magi: 1894 oil on canvas by James Tissot (October 15, 1836 - August 8, 1902)
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magi_tissot.jpg

The angelic choirs illuminating the skies over Bethlehem for avian observers of Jesus' birth in "The Birds of Bethlehem" are now replaced by a gaily decorated Christmas tree and serene Nativity scene in Bethlehem's Manger Square.
Bethlehem, central West Bank: Lehava Activity 2013 Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PikiWiki_Israel_29582_Christmas_Tree_Bethlehem.JPG

Fourteen-point silver star marks spot honored by Christian tradition as Jesus' birthplace in cave under Church of the Nativity.
Bethlehem, central West Bank: Mark87 at English Wikipedia, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nativity_Grotto_Star.jpg

"The Birds of Bethlehem (a Nativity Story) READ ALOUD" (4:41)
Uploaded December 10, 2015, by KidTimeStoryTime to YouTube ~ URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLJyDUYRk1c

dePaola, Tomie. 2011. The Birds of Bethlehem.

Kathleen. 24 December 2012. “’Birds of Bethlehem’ by Tomie dePaola.” Presbydestrian: Presbyterianism on the Ground. Blog Powered by WordPress.com: The Confit Theme. Retrieved December 9, 2014.

• Available at: http://presbydestrian.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/birds-of-bethlehem-by-tomie-depaola/

Paul, Pamela. 19 December 2012. “One Night in Bethlehem: ‘The Birds of Bethlehem’ and ‘Our Very Own Christmas’.” The New York Times: Books. Retrieved December 9, 2014.

• Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/books/the-birds-of-bethlehem-and-our-very-own-christmas.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1355933769-uxj+D0Pq4jMgbJYW8YZXtw&