On Christmas Day in the Morning: A Traditional Carol
John Langstaff. Candlewick Press (MA), $15.99 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-7636-0375-5
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.)
Details
Reviewed on: 10/04/1999
Genre: Children's
Paperback - 27 pages - 978-0-7636-1055-5
Prebound-Sewn - 978-0-606-22503-8
Prebound-Sewn - 978-0-613-74729-5