The Thirteen Days of Christmas

by Jenny Overton, Shirley Hughes (Illustrator)

Prudence, James, and Christopher Kitson would love to see their sister, Annaple, marry her sweetheart, Francis Vere. To help things along, they tell Francis to be as romantic as he can when choosing a Christmas present for Annaple. When he arrives on Christmas Day with a partridge in a pear
tree, Annaple is delighted! But that is only the first day of Christmas and the presents don't stop there. Soon the house fills up with a seemingly endless stream of turtle doves, French hens, swans, dairymaids, and more. As the townspeople gather outside to watch the daily delivery of gifts, will
Annaple be charmed or alarmed by the chaos of it all? And will the thirteenth day of Christmas bring the wedding that everyone is hoping for?

The Thirteen Days of Christmas was first published in 1972 and this illustrated edition sees a return to its original presentation, making this a wonderful book to give and share with children.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Holiday

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Jenny Margaret Mary Overton
1942-2017

Reviews

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this as a read aloud with my mom and my 10 year old son.

It's a lovely Christmas story. Nicely written, funny, and sweetly romantic. Wealthy Francis Vere tries to prove he is the imaginative suitor Annapel Kitson claims she wants by giving her the gifts of the twelve days of Christmas for real. Well, you can imagine a bit what that might look like!

A perfect book for the whole family to enjoy over the holiday period.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thirteen Days of Christmas is a delightful little Christmas romp, simultaneously absurd and charming. A wealthy young man with no sense of moderation attempts to court a young woman with no sense of.. well, sense, and sends her increasingly absurd gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas.

The only downside to reading this with K is that the song The Twelve Days of Christmas is now her new favorite, and I am being frequently serenaded. A small price to pay. This is one that will return to our Christmas read-aloud rotation often.

Update, 12/14/22:
E read this one aloud to all of us for Morning Time (and sometimes in the evening, when the mister listened avidly and was always disappointed when he missed chapters because we kept reading without him). All the girls (and the husband) loved it. The delightfully absurd humor is right up their alley. I think this is one that will be a frequently-requested December read.

Update, 12/21/23:
The Thirteen Days of Christmas was pulled out as a grandma-read-aloud for this Christmas. It continues to be one of everyone's favorites.

Update, 12/28/25:
A perpetual Christmas favorite.

[Amie Geyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an adorable book. I enjoyed every page of it. Looking forward to making this book a Christmas tradition.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully absurd! This was such a fun buddy read with Sharon and Kate. Next year, I’d love to read each chapter on the day it corresponds to through the 12 days of Christmas. There were so many lovely period details and so much humor!

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

A festive and amusing story! Jenny Overton's writing style is lovely. It was sometimes hard to put the book down. I found parts a bit monotonous or repetitive, but I still enjoyed the book so much. All of the characters were interesting and also true to life. Annaple was hilariously contradictory and Francis was over-the-top ridiculous, but this made the story even more fun.

I was incredibly lucky when I ordered this used copy online because they sent me a signed copy (signed by both the author and illustrator)—JOY! What an amazing Christmas surprise!

I can see why this book has been republished again after it's original 1974 publication. Highly recommended if you love the Twelve Days of Christmas story and a would like a Christmas chuckle.

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for making us laugh so much and teaching us a few things about Christmas traditions along the way.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and charming. I felt instantly at home in the village and felt fondly about the family even from the first chapter. I. Such a realistic but loving family, with all their little quirks and small arguments but overarching fondness for one another. Francis was so sweet and generous throughout--not the typical spoiled, snooty rich suitor but truly kindhearted and wanting his money to make others happy (admittedly, he did have some self-interest wanting to win Annaple over but his kindness toward her siblings and father was above and beyond). even with the wedding gifts Annaple's family, I think it truly did bring him joy to use his money to make others happy (he was observant, too, knowing what the boys would like!) The story was quiet, in a way, but also felt very immersive and I loved the focus just on the family and the gift-giving and the village life. It was a neat way to get to know the characters, through their reactions to the gifts and the ways in which they interacted with one another just over the short span of time from Christmas to Epiphany (the twelve days of Christmas). I also enjoyed learning about the different traditions for the Twelve Days of Christmas. I would have liked a bit more clarity in the author's note as she said some of the traditions were "just for this village" (I assume purely imaginary, invented by the author) and some were actually observed throughout England and also I did wonder about the exact time period, but perhaps the author kept that a bit fuzzy so she could incorporate more traditions from different eras? The illustrations by Shirley Hughes are also excellent. I'm so glad I finally splurged and bought a copy of this cozy Christmas gem -- true pleasure to read.

[Marina Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Christmas stories, which I used to reread every year as a child - and which I now enjoyed reading out to my own children. A light-hearted, fun look at Christmas traditions, with a historical bias, and it certainly meant I never forgot the Christmas carol 12 Days of Christmas. Shame it is virtually unknown nowadays and out of print.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and comical story about the song The Twelve days of Christmas!

[Jessica Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year in the month of December, I devour half a dozen books or more, trying to find delightful grown-up Christmas stories. Inevitably, they are either 1) sickly sweet Hallmark-style, or 2) unrelated to Christmas except by setting. This book was EXACTLY what I was looking for! It's short, funny, and imaginative. Happily Ever After, but still unique, as well as decidedly CHRISTMASY. This may very well be a yearly re-read!

[Bless Your Memory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely Christmas story. Silly, lovable, charming and one that takes you back in time!! The illustrations are beyond adorable!!!!!! 🥰

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming Christmas story by Jenny Overton. It was recommended by my tutor Alison to whom I am grateful because I had never encountered it when it was first published in the 1970's...I don't know how I missed it!

The story revolves around Francis Vere who is suitor to Annaple Kitson and is aiming to be more 'romantic'. He begins by presenting her with a partridge in a pear tree, and each day after, until Twelfth Night, the gifts keep coming. This causes comic mayhem with builders and plumbers and the ever increasing number of livestock.On the thirteenth day, she consents to marrying Francis and there is a grand wedding, all in the tradition of an English Christmas.

It really does brings the traditional carol 'The 12 days of Christmas' to life.It is old fashioned and quaint and would challenge KS2 readers in its language and references to Victorian England.
The children will love its predictability with reference to what will turn up next on Annnaple's doorstep. This can be cross-curricular with some imagination: Maths - counting how many of each object/animal she now has - how coops etc are needed. All in the spirit of Christmas!

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE this book. It is our great regret that we haven't seen it since we boxed up most of our books to get our house renovated 8 years ago. We would reread it every Christmas if we could.

It delightfully combines warm family life, humor, music, folklore, and true Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Such a clever idea for a story!

It’s pretty fun (and has darling illustrations from Shirley Hughes), but just like the song, it does drag on a smidge once you hit the last several gifts. Ha ha!

I’d still say read it if it sounds interesting to you.

Ages: 10+

Content Considerations: mentions wine, tobacco, smoking. This is a non-mushy romance. In comedic style, the younger siblings are tired of their older sister’s lousy cooking and bossiness so wish to marry her off.

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[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hilarious look at how "The Twelve Days of Christmas" could have been written.
A delightful study of family, dreams, and unexpected consequences when your family must endure your dreams, The Thirteen Days of Christmas will keep you amused from page one to the end.

Oh, and you'll never sing the song the same way again. Just sayin'. YIKES!

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and delightful--I loved reading about the variety of traditions, festivals, and, of course, the gifts! Christmassy and fun.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly found this long-out-of-print book at the library as a teen, and was so thoroughly entertained that I eventually bought it. It's a clever and hilarious take on the Twelve Days of Christmas song, woven through with fascinating details about traditional English customs throughout the twelve days of the holiday. Hard to find outside a library or used online bookstore, but a really fun read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

(rereading in December 2016; review from January 2013) Finished this up a little late, and the kids loved it! It gives you the sense of what it would be like to receive (and take care of!) all the gifts in the classic song TheTwelve Days of Christmas. And it gives an idea of old English customs for celebrating each of the 12 days, St. Nicholas Day earlier in December and Epiphany (or Three Kings Day, as the author calls it). There are also some wonderful old carols included which I had never heard of. It is a shorter chapter book, a chapter for each day of Christmas plus St. Nicholas and Three Kings.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thirteen Days of Christmas by Jenny Overton is a charming little story, beautifully illustrated by Shirley Hughes.
Annaple tries hard to look after her father, two brothers and sister following the death of their mother. They see her as a terrible nag who cannot cook. Her brothers decide that she really needs to get married. Francis Vere wants to marry her but Annaple thinks he is dull and unimaginative. Francis decides he has twelve days of Christmas to come up with some unusual gifts. What will he choose? Will Annaple decide that he is a desirable suitor?
A charming little story that can easily be read in an evening. Just perfect for the run up to Christmas.

[Pages & Cup · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️s. Very sweet and funny story that combines some of the traditional religious Twelve Days of Christmas observances with the song. I didn’t give it the full five stars because, like the song, the story gets repetitive. 🤣

[Cheyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really funny and a fun read!

[Unna Palaniappan · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a wholesome little book! Would recommend everyone to read it during Christmas next year x

[Tom Jonesman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oops, nearly forgot about this one! I got it from the library before Christmas as I have never specifically read "festively" until last year, when I read scary books at Halloween, Autumn books in the autumn and this Christmas book at Christmas! It's a sweet little story from 1972, following a bunch of well-to-do brothers and sisters who are encouraging the local hopelessly-rich-and-hopelessly-romantic lad in the town to propose to the oldest sister. He does so by buying her all things in the 12 days of Christmas song, ending up with 12 partridges in 12 pear trees, 22 doves, 30 French hens etc etc...

The saccharine and cosy atmosphere contrasts nicely with the hyperviolence and nihilism of a concurrent read of mine, A Clockwork Orange

[Ruth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I want to reread it every Christmas.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a darling book! Sweet, clean story, hilarious, and a cute romance. Great family read!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story of a bride to be and her groom and how he won her heart with the twelve days of Christmas Carol/song. Beautifully illustrated by Shirley Hughes so a real joy.

[Laura McCarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read a Christmas story like this for most of my life! So lovely to have found it finally. I laughed out loud a few times. So merry, so delightful!

[Selina Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully festive read. After a quick start, I slowed it down to try and read a bit each day of Christmas, thus finishing today on the 6th.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful romance short! The rich-man-sweeps-village-girl-off-her-feet plot has been done before, but Jenny Overton puts a new twist on it. Annaple isn’t impressed by Francis’ wealth and ships, but she is a die-hard romantic, and through the conspiracy of her siblings Francis begins a new courting tactic on Christmas day. Thence ensures chaos and confusion, as Francis completely revamps their home, filling it with romantic animals, hiring carpenters to add a romantic pool and stream, and going so far as to hire performers to arrive outside her door each morning. Annaple goes through delight, irritation, horror, and all the way back at her lover’s devotion. A perfectly clean read for the kids, and highly amusing.

[Poiema · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a whimsical, folksy tale to correlate with the Twelve Days of Christmas song we are all so familiar with. Unfortunately, the song tends to jangle my nerves and the book was on the verge of affecting me in the same way, however I think it might be fun for middle graders. 

I did enjoy the very old English carols the author had researched, that were sprinkled throughout. Also the forgotten traditions that accompanied each of the twelve days of Christmas. The cacophony of the twelve days culminate into something special on the thirteenth day of Christmas [I won't spoil it].

This book was written in 1972 and has a vintage feel to it. It has a charming cover that attracted me to buy it and add it to my collection of Christmas books.