Christmas Day Books

Duntze's illustrations cleverly leap from page to page in this classic rendition of the traditional Christmas carol. Readers can search the page for each day for items from the previous days - five golden rings in the ears of one of the cows the maids are milking, for example. A delightful read-aloud for children young and old.

I ordered this book for my seven year old not even realizing it was a flap book. It's a sturdy board book suitable for young children. Very easy reading for a seven year old but my daughter loves anything about Raggedy Anne. The illustrations are sharp and colorful. A great stocking stuffer.

This is a fun variation on the familiar song "12 days of Christmas", only the "true love" gives birds and animals found in Australia. The reader meets Jabirus, Kookaburras, Galahs, etc.

Recommended for adults who love Australia and for young children who may enjoy hearing about the strange animals and birds that live on that wonderful continent.

I picked this up at Barnes and Noble last week, as it was featured near the check out. I just love it! I think my 7 year old son will adore it. This would make an EXCELLENT Christmas gift for a youngster.

It explains some fun activities and festivites you can explore in Wisconsin, and specifically what makes the state unique and interesting. Also, it lists famous people from Wisconsin and fun facts such as the state bird and state motto. What a darling book and great concept, knowledgeable yet entertaining. Five stars.

This is the second time I've purchased this stained glass coloring book. Buy a new set of markers and watch everyone in the family (from age 3 up) have fun coloring the pictures which illustrate the song (8 Maids a Milking, for example). We liked ours so much the last time that we kept them in the window all year. Dover is a wonderful publisher, and if you like this coloring book, look for the other stained glass coloring books. It's an easy way to make a colorful craft for Christmas.

This is 1 of 4 great sticker fun books in this Christmas series collection.

Other books in this series are

A Christmas Carol ISBN # 1590602226

The Night Before Christmas ISBN # 1590602234

O Christmas Tree ISBN # 1590602242

We all know the 12 Days of Christmas, but in this book, it's the illustrations that rule the day. Especially wonderful if you are a lover of the Mastiff or Italian Greyhound Breed. Also includes some interesting history of the Song and Time it was written - but it's the illustrations that will bring you back to this book all year long.

Reviewed by Conner Aguren (age 3) and Mom for Reader Views (12/07)

"A Pinata for the Pinon Tree" remakes a classic Christmas carol in the spirit of the New Mexico Southwest. This version brings a whole community together to celebrate the season in vibrant song and dance.

"Skinks playing music. That's funny!"
"Where are the skinks? I just know they are there?"

"Where are the doves?
"They are sitting in the tree?"
"What is a dove?"
"It's a type of bird."

"What is she making?"
"It looks like something sweet."

"What are they celebrating?"
"The Christmas holidays."
"Where is everybody eating the cookies? I wanted to see them eating them."

"Why are they playing cards?"

Parent's comment:
The illustrations in "The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Pinata for the Pinon Tree" are a delight to follow. As the days of the song passed, it was more of an "I-Spy" game to find the animals (especially the skinks) in the very detailed pictures. I enjoyed how the author wrapped the story around the preparations for a big celebration. It gave the song more cohesiveness, as opposed to the classic version of a lover just sending random gifts. Also, if you're not from that part of the United States, it is interesting to see what things they would include in their celebrations in the Southwest.

Tom Bernard's unraveling of the hidden meaning coded into a well known composition brings to mind both the allure of the popular fictional work, "The Da Vinci Code", and the fascinating true story of how the lyrics of spirituals were used as code by slaves in the American south to guide their journey to freedom in the north.

I did not know about all the biblical figures that this book shed light on. So to learn it with my five year old while he enjoyed the song and found the hidden pictures was wonderful. This book fills the season with the "real" meaning of Christmas and is a must for every family.