THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

by Jan--Illus. Brett ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1986

This old folk song has held such perennial fascination for illustrators that it's hard to believe we need another version, but Brett's interpretation is so attractive that it's sure to find a warm welcome. Using the combination of borders and central pictures employed so effectively in last year's Annie and the Wild Animals, Brett crowds each double spread with motifs from one of eleven European countries, in each case repeating ""Merry Christmas"" in the appropriate language, from Gaelic to Russian. (It may be a challenge to identify some of those Middle European greetings.) The richly colored paintings are full of carefully depicted delights, from soft but realistic foxes and rabbits to geese fancifully dressed as peasant maidens. In a border subplot, a tree is brought home and decorated with ornaments representing all the enumerated gifts--drums, milkpails, etc. Like Annie, a trifle busy but full of entrancing detail. Music included.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1986

ISBN: 0399220372

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1986

Categories: CHILDREN'S