Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Side-splitting silliness ensues as Rex riffs on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in this rollicking holiday read. The story begins simply, with the protagonist's true love gifting a partridge in a pear tree. The next day, though, three more birds, including a second partridge and pear tree, arrive--with more to follow. "You've probably heard the song they wrote about me," the speaker wryly states before a spread shows the worried-looking, pale-skinned figure surrounded by a crowd of cows, dancers, milkmaids, and pipers. When the group follows the protagonist on a family visit ("You don't all have to come! I'm just visiting my mom!"), the subject discovers that what seems like an embarrassment of burdensome gifts could be a boon. And when the ensemble inadvertently starts a parade, the raucous event inspires joviality and selfless actions that reverberate throughout the protagonist's community, echoing the original song's rhythms as further hijinks unfold. Carefully sketched, energetic visuals alternate between comics-style panels and full-bleed spreads of the chaos. After the unwitting recipient embraces the troublesome presents' potential to generate further generosity, a final plot twist further amps up the comedy, resulting in a fresh, truly uproarious Christmas yarn. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5--8. (Sept.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 5--This humorous book explores a multitude of issues arriving after Trudy, the main character's true love, sends him a Christmas gift of a partridge in a pear tree. "You've probably heard the song they wrote about me," the hero laments on the page before the story begins. After the title page, a spread shows all of the gifts from "The 12 Days of Christmas" crowded inside the main character's house. At first the gifts make him miserable, but eventually they make him happy to the point of singing "Joy to the World" to Trudy upon her return. Readers of all ages will laugh along with the antics in the story. Digitally created artwork depicts the scenes in fabulous details as they unfold, adding to the humor. Text bubbles make it clear as to who is speaking. The concept of the gift of giving is presented several times in the story and would make a good teaching point. This would also make an excellent holiday read-aloud. VERDICT A great addition to any picture book collection.--Tara Rollins
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
We all know the story of the "Twelve Days of Christmas"--but what about the messy aftermath? A partridge in a pear tree appears on the lonely protagonist's doorstep--a thoughtful Christmas gift from a faraway true love, Trudy. Twelve days later, our hero's bombarded by the wackiest assortment of presents imaginable: lords-a-leaping, maids-a-milking, and birds…so many birds! The loving gesture now feels like a cruel joke. On day 13, the protagonist and the ragtag entourage accidentally start a parade, delighting onlookers and picking up new friends along the way: "fun-runners running, electric bikers biking, skateboarders leaping." The read-aloud set will find themselves intuitively singing certain passages to the classic tune thanks to the clever, rhythmic prose. Tongue-in-cheek graphic novel--style panels are complemented by full-page painterly spreads in Rex's recognizable style. This heartfelt, extra-long picture book puts a weird, wacky, and wonderful spin on a familiar Christmas song. Rex's signature snarky humor will appeal to both elementary schoolers and their grown-ups. The protagonist presents white and male, while the cast of characters is diverse. In a subtle feminist nod, Trudy--brown-skinned, with a partially shaved head--appears in the final pages to propose marriage. This quirky take on a Christmas classic is the gift that will keep on giving, long after the 13th day.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
