The Twelve Days of Christmas

In this charming and traditional staging of the classic carol, a girl with a long braid of brown hair and a variety of colorful winter dresses, coats, and capelets celebrates Christmas in her country village. Set against white backdrops and framed by dainty borders of flowers, ribbons, and music notes, Randall’s ornamental illustrations call to mind Eastern European folk art while conjuring an ever-growing and multiracial cast of milkmaids, dancing ladies, feather-capped pipers, and other festive arrivals, including the requisite geese, doves, hens, and other birds. The girl’s “true love,” a boy wearing a neckerchief and cap, finally makes an appearance after the 12th day of Christmas, once the busy assortment of drummers, leaping lords, and others has departed, closing this holiday celebration on a quiet note of quiet, with the promise of spring suggested in flowers peeking up through the snow. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)