The Twelve Days of Christmas

by Jan Brett

Book Overview

"On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree."

For many centuries young and old alike have been singing about the maids a-milking, the lords a-leaping, and a partridge in a pear tree. A Christmas carol, a parlor game, and a delightful counting song-The Twelve Days of Christmas- is indeed a favorite of the holiday season.

In this book, sumptuously illustrated by Jan Brett, all the splendid...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399220372
• ISBN13: 9780399220371
• Release Date: October 1989
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

I sing this every year!

Is there anyone who does not know this song? I've sung it and watched movies on it, but Jan Brett's Illustrations give a different perspective on the song. While we often think of a lover giving gifts to his lady, I've never thought of it as a husband giving gifts to his wife. This is what Jan Brett illustrates and it is beautiful. As with all her illustrations, she depicts further detail on the edge of the pages that gives a vivid picture. And in these illustrations you see a young couple and their children enjoying the delights of Christmas and the love of a husband for his wife. I bought the book because I love Jan Brett's illustrations.

"On the 10th Day of Christmas.....The Presents Are Beginning to Pile Up!

This book is basically an illustrated story of the original song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". What is significant about this book is that Jan Brett's style is to feature side panels, alongside the main page which carries the words for each of the twelve verses. The words and music to this song are on the first few pages. From there on, the main idea of each verse is illustrated in the center panel on two pages, while the side panels depict the other part of the verse. For instance, on the first day, you are shown a partridge bird sitting in the pear tree, while the side panels show "the true love", the young man riding his horse to his fair lady's house. This young man is courting his fair lady, and each day he gives her another present; each day, the amount, or the number increases. As the story goes on, you see that he has captured her heart and once they marry and have children, the story continues on, for twelve days of gift-giving. The author illustrator, has such fine skills in illustrating the animals, and provides details for all the illustrations. Even the top panels over the main page, hold simple but definite illustrations of exactly what the gift for that day is. While it's a small book, it's a possible idea for a table-setting for all those invited to dinner. Here's to many more Christmas celebrations!

Great story in a sturdy package

As a school librarian, I needed a copy of The 12 Days of Christmas that could withstand heavy use and not-so-careful handling by Pre-K, K, & 1st grade students. This poster board edition filled that need beautifully.

Book Twelve Days of Christmas

I was very happy with the product and the quick shipping that I received. I would order again from this person

A favorite Childrens Book

This was one of my favorite books growing up. I, like almost all children loved christmas and this book brings back so many memories for me of Christmas' past. I can remember sitting and just marveling at the illustrations of the book. There are so many differnet things going on in each page that I could literally sit for an hour just going through the different scenes. There is of course the famous christmas carol progressing beautifully through the center frame of each page, but along the sides there is the story of a young husband and wife cutting down a christmas tree and having a beautiful 19th century christmas celebration with their two children. And on each page there is also the phrase "Merry Christmas" in (I think) 12 different languages. I truly loved this book as a child, and even now as an adult (I'm 20). I'm writing this review from memory, if that shows how much of an impact this book had on me.

Wonderful illustrations!

I enjoyed reading this book and Jan Brett's illustrations were beautiful! I liked learning how to say Merry Christmas in many different languages. This is one of Brett's most colorful and actively illustrated works.