Christmas Picture Book Review: The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong

 

Lovers of Christmas and folktales will enjoy The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong.

On a chilly night in Bethlehem, the Raven spreads the exciting news to his feathered friends that a child has been born. They fly to a humble stable, where they give gifts to the newborn babe. The little Robin fears he has nothing to give, but quickly discovers even the tinniest bird can make a difference.

The Birds of Christmas is a beautifully told folktale that reminds us we all have special talents and gifts. With the Raven's recurring call to wake up, he spreads the joy of a new baby being born to them. Then the birds busily get to work before meeting the child and his mother, Mary. 

Young readers will be treated to reading a legend of how robins got their red breast in a tale that unfolds against the stunning artwork from Mira Miroslavova. Golds and blues blend together in delightful artistry, bringing forth an eye-catching story that will have readers turning page after page. 

A unique and meaningful way to celebrate the Nativity can be found in The Birds of Christmas. Coming August 19 from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, you can pre-order the book now. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 12, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802856470
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802856470
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas... in the News: Christmas in Action Helps Fairborn Homeowners, Unexpected Christmas & Pentatonix "Christmas in the City Tour"

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Happy Sunday! I hope you're enjoying your summer—or winter, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. There are only 130 days until Christmas. That's only 18 weeks!!! 

Christmas news reaches us from Fairborn, Ohio, where a group of volunteers from Christmas in Action visited area homes in need of repairs. You can read all about this organization and its early holiday efforts in this Fairborn Daily Herald article here. 

Variety reported on the upcoming Christmas comedy, Unexpected Christmas, starring Lil Rel Howery and Tabitha Brown. It is set for release on November 7. The movie follows a family as they gather for the holidays, which quickly dissolves into chaos. You can read more here. 

More entertainment news comes to us from Pentatonix, who announced dates for its "Christmas in the City Tour" a few days ago. Eyewitness News 3 out of Connecticut shared that the musical group will perform at the PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford on December 6. Tickets go on sale this coming Friday. You can read more here. 

That's it for this week's Christmas... in the news. Enjoy your week!

Christmas... in the News: First Lady Announces Opening of Christmas Event Applications, Knicks vs Cavaliers on Christmas Day & Best Gifts of 2025

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

Happy Sunday! Spent the morning harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs from our garden. Though fall is still over a month away, harvesting always makes me think of cooler days and the holidays. Let's talk Christmas news.

The Florida Courier is spreading the word that the First Lady has announced the opening of volunteer applications to help decorate the White House for the holidays or to perform at the holiday open houses. Honestly, never thought about doing this, but doesn't it sound cool? For more information, including details on how to apply, visit here.

USA Today shared that the Knicks will be playing the Cavaliers on Christmas Day. We don't follow NBA sports. Do you? Do you have a favorite team? Check out more of the schedule in this article here. 

Mashable.com has released its "Best Christmas Gifts for the 2025 Holiday Season" list. These are products they have tried and tested this year. Check out the tech, toys, and more on their list here.

That's a wrap for this week. Christmas is in 137 days! 

Author Interviews and Guest Posts Now Available at Christmas Year Round

 

As we head toward the holidays, I am opening this blog up to authors of seasonal fiction and nonfiction to be featured on Christmas Year Round. Must be family-friendly material. We have a set of interview questions to email you, or you can complete a guest post on one of the following three topics:

1. What is your favorite part of the holiday season? 
2. Who is your favorite Christmas story character and why?
3. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

If interested, please email Cheryl at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net, using the appropriate symbols for (at) and (dot). Subject line should read "Christmas Stories." 

In addition to your completed interview and guest post, I need the following:

• Author bio
• Book blurb 
• Links to purchase your book
• Author photo and book cover in jpg format
• Social media links

Thanks for your interest in appearing at Christmas Year Round. 

Three Things to Do in August to Prepare for Christmas

How is it August already? Didn't we just pack away last year's Christmas decorations? It sure feels like that around here anyway.

Though fall doesn't officially arrive in Massachusetts until September 22 this year, back-to-school and fall cleaning are already on our minds. Walk into your local store, and you will probably see Halloween candy. And before you know it, Christmas lights will be on the shelves!

Here are three tasks for you to tackle in August to help make the holidays less stressful.

Start Fall Cleaning

Photo credit: Freepik

What does fall cleaning have to do with Christmas? It lightens your load. Fall cleaning is not your regular monthly cleaning. It involves cleaning out the refrigerator, reorganizing closets so you can donate shoes and clothes you haven't worn in a while, donating books, recycling magazines, cleaning windows, and maybe even powerwashing the house. If you start by cleaning one room each week, it will be much more manageable than trying to manage a major cleanup in the middle of the holiday season. 

Host a Crafting Party

Photo credit: pressfoto on Freepik

Judging by the number of artisan fairs and farmers' markets filled with tons of handmade items, nearly all year round, you must have local crafters in your area working hard at handmade holiday gifts as well. How about hosting a crafting party? Maybe you can plan once a week, and everyone takes a turn hosting. Offer light refreshments and enjoy one another's company. The best part is that it will help you stay on track because you are dedicating regular time to your projects. 

Read at least one Christmas book 

Last month, you compiled your seasonal reading list. Now, it's time to get reading. Plan on reading at least one book a month. It will get you in the holiday mood, and it will help with fall cleaning, because once they are read, you can donate them to someone else to enjoy. 

Happy cleaning, crafting, and reading! See you again next month!

Christmas... in the News: Hallmark "Christmas in July" Movies, Australians Have Twice the Christmas Fun & White House Tree Supplier Selected

 

Welcome to this edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a review of Christmas articles and news over the last week.

How is it Sunday again? Did your week fly by? Mine sure did. Meetings, closings, and such. One of the fun things: Modern Prairie ran a Christmas in July Mystery Sale, where you choose a product category and a price range to order from. Here's what arrived:

April Cornell oven mitt that has different colors on each side.

But this is Christmas... in the news, so let's talk about that. First up is Forbes reporting on the millions of people who watched the four new Hallmark "Christmas in July" movies that ran each Saturday of the month. The numbers are astounding. Check out the article here. 

The BBC wrote an article on how Australians celebrate Christmas twice a year: in July and December. The tradition, they said, appears to have begun in a hotel in 1980, and they turned it into an annual tradition. You can read more here. 

Exciting news out of Michigan, where Pioneer shared that Korson's Tree Farms, located in Montcalm County's Sidney Township, will be supplying the 2025 White House Christmas tree. Check out the article here. 

That's it for this week. Look forward to seeing you again soon!

New Christmas Books Added to My TBR Pile

Books, books, and more books. That is the story of my life. I have hundreds of unread ones, yet I still want more. Can anyone else relate? Here are two recent additions to my To Be Read Pile.

After Ruby inherits her father's conveyance business, she discovers an old sleigh in a barn. Thinking she can build her business by offering rides during the long winter season, she spruces up the sleigh. However, somebody in town is unhappy, and Ruby's business falls prey to mishaps such as broken traces, ill horses, and avalanches.

Quinton falls into Ruby's life when he hires her sleigh to take his fiancée for a ride in the winter wonderland of Snowflake, Colorado. But when Ruby won't convey them across a frozen lake, his fiancée kicks up a fuss and leaves him cold.

Can Ruby and Quinton figure out who is trying to ruin her business? And will working together show them the warmth of love and the kindness of their Heavenly Father?

Purchase from your favorite retailer. 

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.

Pre-order from your favorite retailer.