On Christmas Day in the Morning: A Traditional Carol

Young readers will likely romp around the Christmas tree singing out the words to this jaunty English folk song cum holiday carol, but when they're ready to take a breather, they'll find a bounty of things to peruse in Sweet's (Love and Kisses) cheery artwork, among her best to date. Using a combination of watercolor, gouache and collage, the artist depicts ""a pig went out to dig,"" ""a crow went out to sow"" and a menagerie of other animal farmers who contribute to a grand Christmas feast. Each spread is framed with a festive, gilded border and features a diminutive illustration of a different plant, the history and symbolism of which Sweet identifies in endnotes. Jolly and inventive. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)