The 12 Days of Christmas

Jane Cabrera's Story Time

by Jane Cabrera

Seven squirrels skiing, six bears a-snoozing. . . A best-loved Christmas song gets a lively adaptation in this board book.
 
Story-hour favorite Jane Cabrera brings her signature style to the classic Christmas carol, giving it a friendly animal twist.  Cheerful illustrations of skiing squirrels and magic mice in an imaginative winter wonderland invite readers to join the festivities and sing along to the reworked lyrics.  Children will enjoy laughing at this clever new version—from the 12 penguins skating all the way down to party in a pear tree!

Jane Cabrera's Story Time gives favorite nursery rhymes and songs a new toddler-friendly twist. These interactive favorites feature bold, bright, illustrations and catchy refrains. Don't miss other fun titles including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Kitty's Cuddles, and Over in the Meadow.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Music, Storytime, Animals

28 pages, Board Book

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Jane Cabrera is best known as an Author and Illustrator of Children's Books.
She has written and illustrated 56 books which have been translated into over 25 languages and won awards in the US and Europe. She lives on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor National Park in the UK.
Her books range from picture story books to concept board books for babies.

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/janecabrera...

Reviews

[Abigail]

English author/artist Jane Cabrera, known for her many picture-book adaptations of classic children's songs, here turns her attention to that beloved Christmas carol, presenting a humorously sweet variation on the standard version. Bright acrylic artwork is paired with verses in which most of the gifts consist of various animal friends of the two children on the cover. "Twelve penguins skating, eleven reindeer dancing," and so on. The song concludes here with a ride home on Santa's sleigh...

I was unfamiliar with Cabrera's work before picking up The 12 Days of Christmas, but given my interest in picture-book presentations of Christmas carols, I immediately snapped it up, when I saw it on the holiday shelves at my public library. I see from the rear jacket blurb that most of her other books are also song adaptations, leading me to wonder if all of them are revisionist takes, like this one. I enjoyed the cute artwork here, sang my way through the altered lyrics, and think this an enjoyable holiday picture-book. That said, as someone who enjoys Christmas carol picture-books enough to seek them out, this won't ever become a favorite. It's sweet, but lacks the beauty of the gorgeouly illustrated traditional versions, done by artists like Laurel Long and Jane Ray. Still, I won't belabor the point - tastes vary, and this one will undoubtedly be a hit with many young children at Christmastime.

[Amy]

I've read this to my 4-year-old for the last FOUR nights. He's really into it right now. Probably because I sing it to him. And the pictures are very interesting to him, as he finds other stories to imagine on several spreads.

Note: he has not been exposed to the original song, so who knows how he'll receive that version!

[Chelsea]

I truly appreciated this fun, and mostly winter animal themed, take on the traditional 12 Days of Christmas song. If you are looking for something new to try during story time and the holiday season, I would highly recommend this book! Not only do the children recognize the melody, but they smile and dance along as it's being sung.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Cabrera, Jane. The 12 Days of Christmas. Holiday House, 2017. $17.99. Content: G. BOARD BOOK.
The 12 days of Christmas song/story has been updated and made kid friendly. The first day of Christmas instead of a partridge in a pear tree, her true love gives her a “party in a pear tree.” There are puppies, kitties, foxes, penguins, magical mic, skiing squirrels, sleeping bears, and dancing reindeer. 6 bright stars for the Christmas tree and 8 baking elves to provide baked sweets. And her true love ends his holiday gifts with a ride home from Santa Clause.

This is a board book version of a picture book printed in 2013. The illustrations are detailed and full of holiday fun. This book would be great to read or sing with small children during the Christmas season.
Pre-K-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.

https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Vera Godley]

Children age appropriate for board books would typically not get into the 12-days-of type song or storyline. Author illustrator Jane Cabrera has endeavored to bring it to this young audience in an animal grouping of critters leaping and prancing through this cute book.

While not my favorite adaptation of this song, I do think the book has real kid-appeal in the illustrations and the animals that are involved.

Study board pages, sized just right for small hands, and bright cheerful illustrations will win over the younger set. Well worth the $7.99 list price.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Teresa Bateman]

Who needs pipers piping and maids a-milking? Not most of the board book crowd! That must be why Jane Cabrera has created a new version of the 12 days of Christmas. This involves bears, snowmen, penguins, squirrels and more. This is a delightful board book with lively acrylic illustrations that show all sorts of winter-time fun. Toddlers should enjoy sharing it with their parents, and it would be even better if you sing it!

[Amy]

This picture adaptation of "The 12 Days of Christmas" has Jane Cabrera's usual adorable illustrations but with her twist on the song. Cabrera changes the lyrics so that it's about her "party" animals and to showcase her adorable band of characters. She also includes the sheet music for her version of the carol which is to the same tune as the traditional carol. Super cute!

[Tori]

A great illustrated adaptation of the classic Christmas song, with different lyrics (it's a party in a pear tree, for example, and 5 shining stars, 4 magic mice, etc.) that will probably appeal to today's children more than the original. Would be a great one to sing along with. Will definitely keep this one in mind for Christmas storytimes.

[Eva_Amaré]

Christmas is a very big deal at our house, which is why we read Christmas stories year round and still have our tree up (it's almost February). We liked this one, because mama sang it in her funny voices and of course we love all the animals especially the penguins. Busy and colourful pages always hold our attention. For a little while anyway.

[Kate M. Colby]

Jack received this book secondhand from family. He chose to read it at Nana's house tonight before bed, because of the numbers I'm sure, but he really enjoyed it. I think he liked the cute cats, shining stars, and singing snowmen the most. This author also wrote the 1, 2, Buckle My Shoe book that he borrowed from the library a few weeks ago and really liked, so I will have to look into her work.

[Kylee Windus]

All Christmas picture/childrens books read in any years are because my family has a collection of children’s books and I for some reason decide to read them most years, prob cause we love Christmas. Anyways we don’t judge reading any Christmas children’s books. (Same applies to all Christmas children’s books)

[Lindsey]

This book is just so cute! The kids I read it to loved it, especially because of the party in the pear tree. So much easier to say! Fun illustrations too. Definitely a must-add to your Kid collection. 😊

[Amy]

A really cute version of the 12 days of Christmas with each day being a different winter and/or holiday scene. The illustrations are darling and my daughter and I had a fun time singing the traditional song with new words.

[Tina Eckenroth]

ADORABLE! Little animals partying in and around a tree. Perfect for sharing with a little one.

[Amy]

This board book edition of the picture riff on the classic Christmas carol is small and sturdy. Cabrera’s charming illustrations star in this singable book. A solid choice for holiday collections.

[Jo Oehrlein]

Cute re-telling of the 12 days of Christmas song, but with different words. Wouldn't you rather have 12 penguins skating, 11 reindeer dancing, 10 snowmen singing...?

[Candi Lynn]

A cute update to the 12 days of Christmas poem and song.

[Tifa]

twas a good sing song book that made the person i read it to seem puzzled. That made reading it all the more fun.

[DiAnne Warfield]

Colt library story times week of 12-16-19

[Sherry Scheline]

Love this cute little read. I love religion with early readers and this is great. It was fabulous.

[Andrés]

Illustrations are cute and so are the various animal + holiday activity groupings. However, be careful that the reader doesn't believe "a party in a pear tree" is canon.

[Laurie]

Booklist (October 15, 2013 (Online))

Preschool-Grade 1. The old English folk song gets new legs in this spirited adaptation that showcases the cutie-pie animals that have romped through other Cabrera books. The author’s tweaking of the original lyrics (instead of a partridge in a pear tree, for example, her birds host a party in a pear tree) makes this more relatable to the youngest readers, while wizened older readers will enjoy the updates. Cabrera’s joyful, naive-style paintings feature rounded, Chagall-inspired hills and crazy angles, along with cozy interiors and big-eyed, rosy-cheeked animals. Scenes are set both inside and outside; for example, 3 little kittens toast marshmallows on the hearth and enjoy hot chocolate, while later, 7 squirrels ski, 9 foxes sled, 10 snowmen sing, 11 reindeer dance, and 12 penguins ice skate. Cabrera ends the book with sheet music for the traditional song, plus the new lyrics. Devotees of other Cabrera renditions of popular nursery rhymes should be duly enchanted.



Horn Book (November/December, 2013)

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… / a party in a pear tree.” A page turn reveals a tree full of reveling birds, thus beginning this festive and playful rendition of the traditional carol. Here, a boy gives a girl twelve days of presents, including four magic mice, seven skiing squirrels, and ten singing snowmen. The vibrancy and warmth of Cabrera’s textured acrylic paintings and the jovial rhyming lines make this a welcome picture book adaptation of the classic song. Sheet music is appended. cynthia k. ritter



Horn Book (Spring 2014)

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... / a party in a pear tree." In this festive, playful rendition of the traditional carol, a boy gives a girl twelve days of presents, including four magic mice, seven skiing squirrels, and ten singing snowmen. The art has vibrancy and warmth, and the rhyming is jovial. Sheet music is appended.



Kirkus Reviews (September 1, 2013)

Cabrera continues her series of modern interpretations of classic children's songs with an updated, chipper version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring groups of cheerful animals and other cute characters getting ready for Christmas. The little girl in this version of the folk song is surprised by her "true love" (or, more likely, her best pal), who gives her a flock of tiny birds partying in the pear tree. That gift is followed by two drumming dogs, three cute cats and four magic mice. A story unfolds in Cabrera's bold, navely styled acrylic paintings, with the little girl and boy and all the animals gathering around an outdoor Christmas tree under five shining stars. As the song continues, other animals join the outdoor winter fun, along with elves a-baking indoors and snowmen outside singing. Following 11 dancing reindeer and 12 skating penguins, Santa arrives in his sleigh to take the little girl and boy back home. This innovative version of the old song should appeal readily to today's children since the animals and their actions are all recognizable. The new words are quite easy to sing, and the musical notation is included in the final pages. There are many picture-book versions of the old song in print, but this bright, sunny variation is good fun for young children, particularly as a sing-along experience. (Picture book. 3-8)



Publishers Weekly (September 16, 2013)

Cabrera's jaunty spin on this traditional tune begins when a boy presents his "true love" with a "party in a pear tree"-a rainbow of birds wearing hats and crowns while grooving under a disco ball and joining together in a conga line. In successive wintry scenes, readers meet seven squirrels skiing, 10 snowmen singing, and 12 penguins skating before Santa whisks the boy and girl aloft for a "sleigh ride home." Creamy colors, rough-looking textures, and thick black outlines continue to be hallmarks of Cabrera's energetic acrylic artwork. Full lyrics and musical notation are included. Ages 2-5. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.



School Library Journal (October 1, 2013)

PreS-Gr 1-A child's friend gives her what amounts to a rollicking winter wonderland, from "a party in a pear tree" to "7 squirrels skiing" to "10 snowmen singing" until finally she gets a sleigh ride home with Santa. The charm of this adaptation of the traditional folk song lies in the cheerful acrylic illustrations, which feature adorably bright-eyed and animated creatures prancing about in the snow (all except for the "6 bears a-snoozing," of course). Lyrics and music are included at the end. Lots of appeal for young children.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

[Grace MacLaine]

Loved the new lyrics, very kid friendly (cats and dogs and penguins instead of lords and ladies and rings, etc.) and I think they'd be fun to sing. And the illustrations are adorable.

[Erica]

A interesting idea that mostly works. Jane Cabrera takes the 12 Days of Christmas and adds her own flair to it. Instead of partridge in a pear tree, it's party in a pear tree. Most kids today don't know what the words to the original song are and I have mixed feelings about giving it an update. I think it's important for kids to know the traditional tales and songs. The acrylic paintings are very colorful and bright evoking the colors of winter and Christmas without hitting you over the head. I think it works as a Christmas book and an introduction to the traditional carol but I would have liked to see the traditional song also listed in the back of the book along with her rendition.

[Teresa Bateman]

OK, let's face it--most children today have no idea why you would want pipers piping, maids a-milking, or swans a-swimming, much less a partridge in a pear tree. So Jane Cabrera has a new version of The 12 Days of Christmas. bears a-snoozing, elves a-baking, snowmen singing, penguins skating, and a bird party in that old pear tree.It's simple and kid-friendly, with bold page-filling humorous acrylic illustrations of wintertime activities. There's even sheet music in the back. I wouldn't call this a "first purchase" but it certainly is fun and will be enjoyed by the intended audience.

[Barbara]

This lively animal-filled version of the classic holiday carol may appeal to young readers. Because it uses different gifts than the traditional version, some readers may be confused by the changes. But there are some adorable choices such as "8 elves a-baking" (unpaged) and "11 reindeer dancing" (unpaged). I liked the lively acrylic illustrations more than the song, which had a different ending than the original one. Still, it might appeal to a young audience.

[J9]

Cabrera is a great author for the younger crowd. My twin 3 yr old's loved it. Colorful fun pictures that helps get the child engaged and keeps them engaged. The illustrations were paintings that had a unique brushstroke and the colors were so vibrant! Cabrera has a style all her own. Loved the paintings especially! Also, many of her books have themes that are popular children’s songs, so immediately her books grabbed my preschoolers attention. A great addition to any children's library.

[KimBear]

"A cozy and colorful rendition of a holiday favorite, a menagerie of irresistible animals--including drumming dogs, magical mice, and skiing squirrels--celebrate the season."

I loved it!!! I may be biased as I am a huge Jane Cabrera fan! This would be perfect to sing at your family's holiday party...it just may be my holiday talent show act this year! :)

[Vivian]

An oh-so-adorable re-make of a traditional song...
How about a PARTY in a pear tree?
2 DRUMMING dogs? 3 CUTE cats? 4 MAGIC mice? 5 SHINING stars?
6 bears a-SNOOZING! 7 squirrels a-SKIING! 8 elves a-BAKING! 9 foxes SLEDDING! 10 snowmen SINGING!
11 reindeer DANCING. 12 penguins SKATING and a SLEIGH RIDE home for me!

What fun children have helping you pantomime these as you sing the verses.

[Christine Turner]

Note: "The art was painted in acrylic paint, the same size as the book."--Title page verso.
Summary: Merry animals celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in this version of the traditional folk song.
Subject:
Folk songs, English -- England -- Texts
Christmas music -- Texts
Christmas -- Juvenile literature