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The Birds of Bethlehem
A perfect first Christmas book
This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird's-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields--not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agr...more
This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird's-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields--not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agr...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
October 30th 2012
by Nancy Paulsen Books
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A perfect first Christmas book. This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird's-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields; not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agree that they must find this wondrous thing, and off they fly to the stable where a child has been born. In simple language...more
Jan 13, 2013
Dolly
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their younger children
We love reading Tomie dePaola's books, so when I saw he had a new Christmas-themed book, we put it on hold at our local library. It must've been very popular, because we just got it from the library. I have to admit, though, it is probably one of our least favorite books by him.
The narrative is very repetitive and there's a lot of colorful birds, so younger children may like the way this book is designed. But it just didn't have an engaging story and the illustrations just didn't do anything fo...more
The narrative is very repetitive and there's a lot of colorful birds, so younger children may like the way this book is designed. But it just didn't have an engaging story and the illustrations just didn't do anything fo...more
Tomie dePaola's latest book offers a fresh look at the first Christmas. He takes the town of Bethlehem and offers a bird's eye view of the strange happenings. This book is a fun companion piece to Luke's story in the New Testament.
Early literacy can easily be added to this holiday tale. Readers can identify colors as well as pairs of birds. A sequencing activity or flannel board pieces could also be created for this story.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Early literacy can easily be added to this holiday tale. Readers can identify colors as well as pairs of birds. A sequencing activity or flannel board pieces could also be created for this story.
Reviewed from a library copy.
A sweet Christmas story, where the birds in Bethlehem tell the story of Jesus' birth.
Fans of dePaola won't be disappointed with his lovely artwork (especially fun is that the birds are all different colors--identifying colors is always something our younger readers enjoy!). The text is simple, making this a great holiday read for the whole family!
Fans of dePaola won't be disappointed with his lovely artwork (especially fun is that the birds are all different colors--identifying colors is always something our younger readers enjoy!). The text is simple, making this a great holiday read for the whole family!
Beautiful story and illustrations. Love the idea of the Christmas story being told from the perspective of the birds of Bethlehem. My only criticism is that each bird that speaks is male. Would love to see this be more balanced. I veer from the text and add some "she's" when I read this story to my kids.
It was cute enough, but my pesky brain wouldn't stop noticing that every single bird was male. "The white bird and his mate", "the blue bird and his mate." It's a small thing but it just got stuck in my head.
Repeatedly honored for his body of work, his contributions to the field of children's literature, Tomie dePaola has penned and painted a beautiful interpretation of The Nativity.
My full review: http://bit.ly/UUn6TE
My full review: http://bit.ly/UUn6TE
Wonderful book! We have been reading Tomie books on my first grade class all year and the kids loved it! it was a gift from my favorite student and her mom who is a wonderful friend! Loved it
Religious books aren't really my thing, but this book does tell the Nativity story from a unique perspective--that of a flock of birds. Those Heavenly Hosts were kinda scary though.
I love Tomie forever and ever, but I'm not sure that anything new is brought to the Nativity story by telling it through the birds' perspective. I want a Tomie angel on my wall, though.
Unique Christmas book. This is the story of the Nativity told by a flock of birds that witnessed different parts of the event. Not the best dePaola book out there though.
An interesting view of the Christmas Nativity told from the perspective of the birds who were in the fields gleaning corn and roosting in trees when the pilgrimage was made to Bethleham. That is the uniqueness of the story. This is also done in very simple text which is great for the youngest child.
I am a lover of de Paola folk art style, but am not enamored of the illustrations here. They are too simplistic, not quite as sharply drawn as he usually does and his angels have such stern faces, but...more
I am a lover of de Paola folk art style, but am not enamored of the illustrations here. They are too simplistic, not quite as sharply drawn as he usually does and his angels have such stern faces, but...more
Lovely illustrations, interesting concept. I have read it several times - each time gives me pleasure, enjoying the graxeful and colorful birds.
This was a strange book that just ended abruptly...all the birds go to the manger? I didn't care of the pictures either...all around odd book!
Beautiful illustrations in acrylics on handmade watercolor paper. Simple nativity story with a twist: told from the birds' points of view.
What a refreshing take on the Christmas story. A unique story from the view of some birds. Colorful, eye catching illustrations!
Fun to hear the birds chitter chatter about what they are seeing as the christmas story unfolds
The Nativity told from a bird's-eye view. A lovely, unique perspective on the Christmas story.
A story on the day that Christ was born through the perspective of birds. Interesting.
What a wonderful way to tell a story (from a bird's point of view) about the Nativity.
A cute Christmas book with a different twist from the birds' perspective.
I blame myself that Rosie didn't get that they were talking about Jesus. Oops.
The Christmas story from the point of view of some birds in Bethlehem.
SM
This was just an okay book for me. I like a bit more animation in the illustrations...
I usually love dePaola's books and have a collection of them in fact! This particular book is geared toward very young children. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as much as his other award winning books.
May 21, 2013
Sarah
marked it as to-read
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Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) is best known for his books for children.
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure....more
More about Tomie dePaola...
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure....more
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