Kids who like electronics, robots, tools and gears might prefer this version of the old song to the original with the partridge in a pear tree. This flashy rendition has a cartridge in a gear tree presented by a robot Santa, who arrives in his spaceship pulled by robotic reindeer. Other gifts from Santa in the countdown include three wrench hens and nine droids a-dancing. Computer-generated illustrations in dark, edgy hues are filled with witty robots of different designs, such as the ten clock-lords sleeping, who have heads made of watch and clock parts. A final frenetic spread finds all the characters from all the verses crammed into one huge robotic celebration with mechanical letters spelling out a holiday greeting. There’s nothing sugary sweet about this 21st-century riff on an old Christmas chestnut. (Picture book. 4-7)
