What do you think?
The Twelve Days of Christmas in California
Welcome to Christmas in California! Ready to greet you are 12 redwoods swaying, 11 cable cars clanging, 10 sea lions barking, 9 mountains rising... and much more! Brad gets one of these VERY unusual gifts from his cousin Teri—and writes lively letters home all about his trip.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 14, 2018
Fun book for us Californians! My daughter and I had a blast reading it!
January 7, 2024
We bought this book as a gift for our 4th grade grandson, and we were pleasantly surprised at how much we (native Californians) learned from this book! It is a version of the Christmas classic song, however, many facts and lots of interesting information about our beautiful state are included in the text and illustrations in this book. Loved reading this with our grandchildren!
October 19, 2017
A California trip seen through the eyes of s child writing letters to their parents. It has lots of facts without being overwhelming. Bonus that one day talks about preparations for the Rose Parade in Pasadena. It really hits on many of the great things to see in California traveling from South to North. The illustrations are nice, too, but I’d say the main focus is the text. At the end there is a page tucked on with more interesting sights you may want to explore that didn’t fit into the twelve days. And a list of some famous Californians. Overall a great book that I enjoyed and I think an inquisitive kid would enjoy, too.
March 19, 2018
I love this book! So much fun to read because the kids recognize all of the places here in California and they get so excited and always say, “I’ve been there”, “I know that place”, “my cousin lives there”...so much fun! I’ve also seen it available for other states too. 🎄🎁☃️
December 20, 2021
We are moving to California so this was a fun book to read to my kids before we go. I thought the pictures were great and the different days were very cute. My son was excited to read this and definitely enjoyed it.
September 29, 2015
I got a good price on a pristine condition copy of this book, so I picked it up to send to my friend's kid for Xmas. I read it before I tucked it away for later giving.
The emphasis of this book is on California, not on Christmas. I think even a family who doesn't celebrate Xmas (but does like California) could like this book.
There are three components of this book.
#1 Bright color illustrations showing the California themed things (4 hummingbirds, 6 otters smiling, 12 redwoods swaying) that the California cousin gives to her young relative from out of state. The illustrations are nice.
#2 The basic story of "On the first day of Christmas...On the second day of Christmas...", etc. This short version of the story is in bold print and would be appropriate for young children (toddlers) who can't sit through a long, involved story.
#3 The longer, involved story, told through letters written by the visiting cousin to his parents back home. These letters include lots of additional information about whatever California-related thing the kid received from the cousin that particular day. These letters are appropriately read to or by an older kid who can sit through the longer story.
The book contains a LOT of facts about California. A kid in elementary school could use this book at any time of year to do a report on the Golden State.
One thing I didn't like about this book was "Cali" the "talking" California valley quail (the California state bird). The book did NOT need the gimmick of a talking quail.
One thing I did like about the book is that except for the talking quail and the small redwood tree she comes in, the cousin doesn't actually give any physical items. Most 12 Days of Christmas stories are overrun with the consumerism of a dozen pear trees and a score of gold rings.
I hope my friend's kid likes this book for years to come and it becomes a Xmas family tradition in their house.
The emphasis of this book is on California, not on Christmas. I think even a family who doesn't celebrate Xmas (but does like California) could like this book.
There are three components of this book.
#1 Bright color illustrations showing the California themed things (4 hummingbirds, 6 otters smiling, 12 redwoods swaying) that the California cousin gives to her young relative from out of state. The illustrations are nice.
#2 The basic story of "On the first day of Christmas...On the second day of Christmas...", etc. This short version of the story is in bold print and would be appropriate for young children (toddlers) who can't sit through a long, involved story.
#3 The longer, involved story, told through letters written by the visiting cousin to his parents back home. These letters include lots of additional information about whatever California-related thing the kid received from the cousin that particular day. These letters are appropriately read to or by an older kid who can sit through the longer story.
The book contains a LOT of facts about California. A kid in elementary school could use this book at any time of year to do a report on the Golden State.
One thing I didn't like about this book was "Cali" the "talking" California valley quail (the California state bird). The book did NOT need the gimmick of a talking quail.
One thing I did like about the book is that except for the talking quail and the small redwood tree she comes in, the cousin doesn't actually give any physical items. Most 12 Days of Christmas stories are overrun with the consumerism of a dozen pear trees and a score of gold rings.
I hope my friend's kid likes this book for years to come and it becomes a Xmas family tradition in their house.
January 9, 2011
I'm a California girl, so I loved this gift from my mom about some of California's treasures.
December 20, 2013
cute, nice illustrations, and a lot of kids in California will relate to it...
December 4, 2015
Very text dense. Lots of information... but it would take an older child to sit through it all.
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December 7, 2018I dont know
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews