Little Bird Finds Christmas

PreS-Gr 2--Christmas anticipation is in the air as Little Bird and Mama Bird snuggle warm in their nest. Little Bird has many questions about how exactly to find Christmas, so when he wakes up, he sets off in search of it. He starts at the Big Store, where shoppers are hustling to get their gifts and visits with Santa are taking place. His next stop is at the Food Market, where, once again, hurried people are purchasing items amidst wonderful smells. Last stop is the Post Office, where letters and packages are being mailed. None of the places Little Bird visits appear to be Christmas. Confused, Little Bird returns to his nest, where Mama Bird is waiting to take him to church; there she explains that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. She goes on to tell Little Bird that Jesus's love lives in their hearts, and that's why people give gifts and send cards: it's a celebration. Illustrations depict Little Bird and Mama Bird as red birds with big, friendly eyes, adorned in winter hats, scarves, and boots. All the soft and brightly colored scenes have an airbrushed appearance, and the people featured are of different races and ethnicities. VERDICT A nice addition to libraries where Christianity is celebrated or discussed during the Christmas holiday season.--Tracy Cronce

Little Bird, an expressive scarlet songbird with a pink breast, looks forward to Christmas despite not knowing what it is in this nativity-focused picture book. Flitting from the Big Store to the Food Market to the Post Office, Little Bird regards the bustling, queuing human community, portrayed with varying abilities and skin tones, but concludes that the seasonal errands don't constitute Christmas. In saturated hues and slick textures, Samuel's digital illustrations mix scenes of a world in preparation--the birds alight, the smiling humans, and a squirrel family decorating for the holidays. When Little Bird and her mother fly to a snow-covered chapel, Richmond's text turns to revelation, defining Christmas as "the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is the son of God," as well as an observance found "in all the grateful, giving hearts." Little Bird's curiosity makes her an engaging protagonist in a message-forward book about a busy holiday brought close to the nest. Ages 4-6. (Oct.)

Little Bird's curiosity makes her an engaging protagonist in a message-forward book about a busy holiday brought close to the nest — Publishers Weekly