For Kayla Walker, Lambing Day began not as a book idea, but as a quiet moment of discovery. During Christmas break in 2023, she finally sat down to read The Tower of the Flock: The Christmas Story by Dr. Christine Van Horn—a book that would shift how she understood the nativity story she had known her entire life. What she found were biblical connections and historical details that challenged long-held assumptions and invited deeper reflection.
Eager to share these insights with her family, Walker searched for a children’s book that presented the story in a way young readers could understand. When she couldn’t find one, she decided to write it herself. Sitting in a favorite chair with her Bible, Van Horn’s book, and a blank document, she began writing. By January 2024, the manuscript for Lambing Day was complete.
The story centers on a Levitical shepherd’s son and a newly born lamb—a choice shaped by Walker’s own life as a mother. Just as Levitical shepherds passed down sacred knowledge to their children, Walker wanted to share what she was learning with her daughters. From there, the story took on a life of its own, unfolding into a gentle yet thought-provoking retelling of the Christmas narrative.
Illustrating the book proved to be the greatest challenge. Walker experimented with watercolor, acrylic, markers, colored pencils, and digital drawing, searching for a style that felt both authentic and accessible. After more than a year of frustration, she reached a breaking point. It was then, she says, that she felt reminded she had already been equipped with what she needed. In September, the illustrations finally began to flow. The following weeks were a blur of creative work, culminating in the book’s publication on November 10, 2025.
Through both words and imagery, Lambing Day invites families to reconsider familiar scenes of the nativity. Walker hopes readers begin to question the traditional depiction of Jesus’ birth in a wooden stable, instead discovering the historical and geographical context that points to a very different setting. Her illustrations serve as visual guides, helping readers see biblical events through the lens of the region’s culture and landscape rather than modern assumptions.
Walker hopes the book encourages curiosity—especially within families. She wants Lambing Day to spark conversation and invite readers of all ages to explore scripture more deeply, discovering that God is present in every detail. Understanding those details, she believes, leads to a deeper understanding of His character and a stronger relationship with Him.
Sharing the book in Summit holds special meaning for Walker. Returning to her hometown, she finds herself surrounded by the people who shaped her faith and creativity—Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, choir members, and friends who walked alongside her from childhood. Recently, while visiting her home church, she wandered the children’s hallways, running her hand along murals she painted years ago that still bring joy to young visitors today. That continuity, she says, is a blessing she doesn’t take lightly.
While Walker doesn’t currently have another children’s book in development, Lambing Day is far from her final project. She is now working on a five-week family devotional that expands on the book’s themes, offering additional insights into Jesus’ birth and crucifixion. Designed with families in mind, the devotional will include kid-friendly reflections, puzzles, art activities, games, and coloring pages featuring characters and scenes from Lambing Day. She is also developing prayer journals, art process booklets, and artist devotionals.
Walker will host a special holiday story reading and book signing on Saturday, December 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Buzy Beez Bookstore in Summit. The event will feature a live reading of Lambing Day, a look at the book’s illustrations, and an opportunity for families to meet the author and have copies signed.
