Jingle bells: A Pop-up Book

by James Lord Pierpont

An illustrated edition of the famous Christmas song.

Genres: Picture Books

5 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1857

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read/sang this with my granddaughter and she listened and watched carefully (she is 2). She sang the chorus with me. I know she did not know what some of the works meant so after singing the song, we talked about the beautiful water colour images. A cute addition to a Winter Holiday library. She did come back and want to look at it and sing again, so that makes it a success. The publisher, Xist Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, but unfortunately the formatting was so terrible the book was unreadable. You could only make out parts of a few words. Illustrations seen were mediocre.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a completely unnecessary book that combines a dated song with ugly illustrations. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I thought the pictures were hideous and kind of creepy. When you're dealing with subject matter that's so familiar, the illustrations had better be spectacular... or readers are just going to move on to the next (better) book.

It seems weird to be critiquing a song from 1857, but I think it needs to be pointed out that some of the verses are a bit dated. It's a little bit sexist, and there's one verse that shows appallingly bad behaviour (when the narrator falls on his back in the snow, another man passing by in his sleigh just laughs at him and continues without stopping to help). There's also a verse where the sleigh overturns, and this is shown in the illustrations... but there's no resolution, and we don't know how the couple managed to get their sleigh back on its runners to continue. Young readers are probably going to want to know. I sure did. And, finally, some of the verses make it clear that this is a song directed at heterosexual young men. You're apparently supposed to grab your girls and take them out for a sleigh ride.

I'm afraid I can't find much here to recommend. I'm sure this song has been illustrated before, and I'm fairly certain that any of those other versions would be more aesthetically pleasing than this one. Take one dated song, add some forgettable illustrations, and you get... this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for providing a digital ARC.

[Monique the Book Geek]

Based on the classic song "Jingle Bells," this is a cute book to read to children around Christmas time. Although its illustrations are very basic and could use some improvement, this book is nostalgic and festive.

I received this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.

[January Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! A must read for any family! This book will become a tradition in our household! Be sure to get it before next Christmas!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

*thank you to Netgalley and Xist Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

2 stars.

One of the most famous Christmas time songs and for a good reason. This little childrens picture book was a fun read but nothing amazing. I'm sure there are plenty others out there that I would be more happy to purchase and read to small children. The artwork was pretty basic. Again, nothing amazing but good enough. The song lyrics were probably the best part. It's not a bad book, it's just OK.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing really new or different here. Just another picture book of a Christmas song. I would have preferred some sort of new angle or something.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book illustrates the song "Jingle Bells" with a whole bunch of verses that I had never heard before. It's a cute book for the holidays, but that song will get stuck in your head!

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Christmas and the song Jingle bells. I believe kids may enjoy this Christmas book because it is based on the beloved song, Jingle Bells, but the illustrations are average and underwhelming. I also didn't enjoy the extra lyrics in the book. I would not buy this book to give as a gift. I think there are better Jingle Bells books.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darling pop-up book

[gastonk27]

Can't even see anything so ..

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful watercolor-style illustrations take the reader through all the verses of Jingle Bells. It is not often that a book covers all of them. Great addition to a children's holiday library.

[Jennifer Margeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a preschool music teacher for many years and enjoyed incorporating books while I was singing - sometimes it was to show literacy is more than learning alphabet letters and other times to supplement the song. The holidays are a wonderful time to slow down and enjoy singing with a young learner. The water color illustrations are simply done and complement the book nicely. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #JingleBells by James Pierpont!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute children's book based on the Christmas song, Jingle Bells. There are a couple of verses that you might not be familiar with when you start but you will be sure to know them when the holidays are over. The illustrations are cute and go very well with the song. This would be a cute story for the children in your life.