In this informative and entertaining offering, Cassels and Cravath give the traditional Christmas song a Louisiana twist. When Paul visits his cousin Rosalie in the bayou state, she gives him a “pelican in a cypress tree” and 11 other gifts with Louisiana flair, including hot sauce, marsh ducks, crawfish and riverboats. Each spread contains a letter from Paul to his parents in which he elaborates on the gift that Rosalie has given him that day. For example, on the tenth day of Christmas, when Rosalie gives Paul “10 frogs a-leaping,” Paul writes to his Mom and Dad about the Rayne Frog Festival, detailing the rules of the frog-jumping contest held there each September. Cravath’s bold and engaging illustrations combined with the format of this offering—the repetitive song on the right and the letter from Paul with its additional information on the left—make it a good choice for read-alouds as well as for individual enjoyment. (state facts and famous figures, author’s note) (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-9)
