The classic Christmas carol is presented anew in this delightful picture-book from author/artist LeUyen Pham, making for a charming holiday reading/singing experience! The twelve verses are each given a two-page spread, featuring the (growing) song as text, and beautiful artwork as accompaniment. At the rear there is a two-page spread featuring all seventy-eight gifts, which the young reader can enjoy seeking out, a two-page spread featuring the musical notation for the carol, and a final two-page spread devoted to the history and likely meaning of The Twelve Days of Christmas...

Although I have read quite a few picture-book presentations of this carol - favorites include the versions done by Laurel Long and Jane Ray - I am always happy to seek more out, in my annual "Christmas Carol Picture-Book" project. Many thanks to my online friend Michael for drawing my attention to this version, as it is beautiful! The artwork is lovely - the two main child characters, in period costumes, are adorable, and the gifts are brightly represented. I loved the humor in so many of the illustrations here, the interplay between the different verses/gifts, and the diversity of human figures and cultures represented, in the verses involving people (maids a-milking, ladies dancing, lords a-leaping, pipers piping, and drummers drumming). Recommended to anyone seeking a picture-book containing The Twelve Days of Christmas, as well as to fans of LeUyen Pham's artwork. ( )