The Message of the Birds

by Kate Westerlund, Feridun Oral (Illustrator)

This classic holiday book that brings together nature, the nativity, and the celebration of the first Christmas, Jesus's birth, makes a perfect gift or stocking stuffer for toddlers, boys and girls from 3 to 5 years old, and the young at heart!

“Let there be peace on Earth.” A timeless message of how peace can spread from one person to another, ideal for Christmas time, and throughout the year.

Long ago a special child was born, and the animals heard a song of blessing and good will for all the creatures of the earth. But now the birds wonder why no one sings the song anymore. And so they fly far and wide, singing the song of joy and peace. Here is a beautiful story about the powerful role we all play in passing on the timeless “Let there be peace. Peace on Earth.”

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Birds, Christian, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations of birds and wintry scenes. A barn owl is telling some birds the story of the nativity. The birds fly off to spread the message of peace. A simple story with beautiful illustrations.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old owl tells the other birds the Christmas story in this lovely holiday picture-book, relaying how Baby Jesus was born in the stable, and how the birds who witnessed the miracle of his birth heard, in the sound of his cooing, a message for the world. Wondering why they no longer sing this message - have people stopped listening, and if so, why? - the birds set out to spread the word: Peace on Earth...

I probably wouldn't have gone to the trouble of tracking this one down, if I wasn't such an admirer of the illustrator, Feridun Oral, a Turkish artist whose other wintry picture-books (in English) - The Red Apple , A Warm Winter - are so beautiful. That said, I'm glad I read The Message of the Birds, with its gentle unfolding of one part of the Christmas message, as understood and spread by our avian friends. The illustrations, as was to be expected, were simply breathtaking, simple but beautiful, with a diverse array of gorgeous birds flitting across sepia and white-toned pages. The use of color here is astute, with flashes of deeper hues intermingled with more subtle ones, perfectly capturing the enchantment of snowy scenes, and the delicate charm of the eponymous birds. Recommended to anyone looking for sweet, beautifully-illustrated Christmas picture-books.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a simple one about the message of peace that might be spread far and wide at Christmastime, but which isn't sung anymore. The owl who tells the tale to the other birds emphasizes that the message is "a special song of blessing, of joy and good will." The other birds decide to sing and whisper the message to the children of the world so that all might hear it: "Let there be peace. Peace on Earth!" The illustrations are lovely and I thought the artist did particularly excellent renderings of some of the birds, including the larger view of the barn owl, the hoopoe, the dove, and the robin. Others were not quite as perfectly realized; his sitting models were stronger than the birds in flight. Still, a lovely book with an important meaning, which is also beautifully conveyed by the final page: a circular rendering of the word "peace" in many different languages.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old owl tells the story of Christmas to a gather of birds. He tells the story of Jesus in the manger and the birds above in the rafters. The birds heard a song in the baby’s voice, a special song that they would carry through the world. The robin asked why the birds don’t sing that song anymore, and the partridge explained that people don’t listen. The little robin suggested that even if they don’t know the language anymore, their hearts could understand it. The birds talk about whether the message would be heard and understood, and then the robin realizes that children are the most likely to hear the message. So all of the birds sing the song, spread the message, particularly to children. And something amazing happens.

I’m never sure with any Christmas book what level of Christianity I’m going to find in them and then what type of message it is going to be communicating. When this book’s second set of pages had the manger scene, I thought I was in a very traditional Christmas book. What followed though, was a delightful surprise as the book immediately turned from the traditional Christmas tale to one that is universal, a story of peace. Westerlund tells the story with a pacing right out of folktales. Her wise older owl, the inventive young robin are characters that are traditional in the best sense of the word.

Oral’s illustrations have a soft beauty to them. Throughout his images of the birds, there is thick snow in the air. The colors are consistently subtle and wintry, tawny browns, creamy whites and deep browns are punctuated only with the colors of the birds and the green of the trees.

A lovely addition to Christmas stories, this book is beautifully written with rich illustrations. Appropriate for ages 5-7.

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book and Gift copy.Many beautifully illustrated birds gather together and discuss that people are no longer telling the Story of Jesus Christ born in a manger. So the birds decide that they will spread the message of the Christ Child's birth, and so they tell all the other birds and all the children. Soon a large group of children meet and are singing about the Christ Child's birth. The last page has 'Peace" in many languages. You may not have a peaceful life, but Jesus Christ will give you peace in your soul, so that you can have true peace.

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the beautiful, realistic pictures of all the different kinds of birds! The birds travel through all lands spreading the message of peace to children everywhere. The book begins in a stable with an illustration of the baby Jesus surrounded by animals, so this will be a perfect book to share with Christian families, or Sunday schools. The overall message though is more universal, and the book ends with the word “Peace” in multiple languages. A really lovely, moving story for everyone.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the continual pushing and prodding to remove the very mention of Christ from Christmas, this book is a very refreshing look at the true meaning of Christmas. The illustrations are gorgeous! This would make a wonderful tradition to read with the family each Christmas. Thank you, Kate Westerlund!

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
pretty illustrations but a watered-down Christmas message about peace and goodwill (doesn't actually mention Jesus or his real purpose here for redemption from sin)

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a whole lot of Jesus in this one, just a little bit.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

All our holidays and special occasions are marked with books for the Grands. I've been reading Christmas books to find the perfect ones for our Grands this Christmas.

The Message of the Birds is magnificently illustrated. I only wish the narrative were as good as those beautiful illustrations. The description here on GoodReads says

"An old owl tells the Christmas story to the community of birds as he has done so many times before, but when he tells of the special message from the Baby Jesus, a little bird questions why they no longer sing the message."

That is simply wrong. A baby is born in a stable. That's it as far as the who goes, with no mention of who the baby is, why he's special. None. The name Jesus does not appear anywhere. And, there is no why . Christmas is merely implied.

"Peace on earth" is a great message we need to hear, but in this narrative the context is missing.

The Message of the Birds could have been so much more if the narrative had been fleshed out.

3 stars, but it won't make the cut for the Grands

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful message to be shared at Christmas! I can see this book becoming a family tradition for so many. The illustrations are gorgeous and the message so meaningful.

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[Good · Rating 1 out of 5]

PROS: Beautiful pictures

CONS:
Pictures split over two pages ruins them (pet peeve)
Very preachy (peace, diversity)
Way oversimplified how to have peace on earth
Missed the real message of Jesus coming to earth, salvation from sin (the opposite of peace) brings peace (“Love God with all your heart. Love others like you would live yourself.”)

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this beautifully illustrated Christmas story, birds wonder why no one sings the song of blessing and goodwill that began with Jesus's birth. They decide to sing the song to children in the hopes of spreading the message of "peace on Earth." The last page shows the word "peace" written in a multitude of languages.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely Christmas message. I adore the bird illustrations and the message of peace on earth with all of the languages on the last page. Definitely a good one to read during the holiday season.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a pleasant read-aloud. I like the reminder of the "peace on Earth" message of the Christmas story, but the real message of Jesus' birth (that he came to save us) gets lost in the focus on world peace.

[Dilara Inam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has some beautiful/various bird depictions by an amazing artist, Feridun Oral.

On the content side, I find it very old-school. The book is basically saying that no one listens anymore except the children. Let children listen and create the peace.

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite Christmas songs is Carol of the Birds. I was looking for a book to read to my grandson when I share the Carol of the Birds with him. This beautiful book has birds singing a message from the baby Jesus to the children of the world. I think it is a great companion to the song.

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Elliot and I would love this once since it’s about birds (he used to love birds) but it was a bit slow and long and had too much dialogue for his attention span right now. It’s a sweet book, so we will try again next year

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impulse Pima.

A bit preachy, but the message is apt for all, even those of us who aren't Christians. Would that Jesus's messages were listened to more carefully than those of the jealous God in the Old Testament. Then the magic of the book would be plausible. Pretty pictures, of course.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I buy my kids each a Christmas picture book every year. This one was for the 12 year old and the illustrations did not disappoint. Some of the finest art available these days is found in children's picture book.

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested to see that the illustrator of this book is from Turkey and the author lives in Austria. You can definitely see the European influence on the simplicity of the story and the art work of the birds.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this Christmas story: words, art, even the font and layout. This is a hopeful book that I will enjoy reading to my grandkids (when I have them) for years to come.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrations are a 5 star alone. Loved this sweet n simple new Christmas Book. Peace on Earth, beautiful way to tell the message.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give this one ten stars if I could. Beautiful message, and beautifully illustrated.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful, poetic message of peace.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations of the birds. The story itself was a little too poetic for me to consider for a storytime, but the religious theme was present and lovely.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with a very sweet message. This story will make a great addition to the Christmas reading tradition for many families.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love birds, I love Christmas, I love the message of the birds. A must have for your Christmas collection.

[Carri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, beautifully illustrated Christmas story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book to share with second graders.