The Twelve Days of Christmas [Hardcover]

Laurel Long (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 13, 2011 | Age Range: 3 - 5 years | Lexile Measure: 950L (What's this?)

No Description Available

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Here’s a song whose lyrics everyone knows and that therefore demands something spectacular to distinguish it. This version, sumptuously illustrated by Long, certainly delivers.”

(New York Times )

“Ms. Long has secreted lyrical clues within each picture that children will relish hunting down.”

(The Wall Street Journal )

* “Long expertly weaves religious and secular images into a visually arresting interpretation of the traditional carol.”

(Publishers Weekly, starred review )

“An accomplished visual interpretation with a playful element for children to enjoy.”

(Booklist )

“This version has a dreamy, fairy-tale sensibility."

(Kirkus )

“Long’s lyrical and lush oil paintings, reminiscent of Russian icon art, combined with a tricky interactive element, make this version of the traditional carol special.”

(School Library Journal )

“This book is a beautiful introduction to the song for young children; an engaging book for older children; and a book that makes those already familiar with the traditional song more thoughtful.”

(WNY Family Magazine )

About the Author

Laurel Long (laurellong.com) is a professor of art at California University-Northridge and lives in La Verne, California, with her family.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (October 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803733577
• ISBN-13: 978-0803733572
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.5 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Renaissance

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautifully Illustrated Christmas Gem Like No Other October 21, 2011

By White Fang

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"The Twelve Days of Christmas," illustrated by Laurel Long, is an absolute gem to be treasured by your family for years to come. I have been an elementary teacher and have collected children's picture books, especially children's Christmas picture books, and I can truthfully say this is one of the most beautifully illustrated children's Christmas books I have ever seen. The book measures 9 3/8 inches by 11 3/4 inches and has 30 pages. Every page is a full page full color adventure in color and an unimaginable display of details. You can stare at a page for many minutes and get lost in the imaginations of your mind. Both children and adults will see something new each time they stare at the beautiful oil painting illustrations. Each colored page also has illuminated edges. There are two magnificently colored pages for each of the numbered days of Christmas -- one page has the words to the verse from the song discreetly placed so as not to interfere with the integrity of the beautiful illustration and the other page contains just an illustration.. The dust jacket is a real splendor of color illustrating the partridge in a pear tree surrounded by traditional Christmas decorated illumination. The pictorial cover of the book contains the same illustration.

The next to last two pages contain the song, including the words and the music. The very last page contains a brief history of the song and delves into the various interpretations to the origin and the meaning of the song. There is an added surprise for the reader. Because this is a cumulative song, the reader is challenged to find all the previously mentioned gifts in each of the illustrations. Of course as you advance to the larger numbered days of Christmas, there is more to find in each picture. This can be a fun challenge.... To help the reader find these objects there is a small tab at the bottom of the front dust jacket flap that reads, "Look on the underside of the jacket for a key to the hidden gifts." If you remove the dust jacket and look on the underside you will will see a small black and white reproduction of each page from the book. On these small page reproductions you will find red numbers corresponding to the various Christmas Day gifts showing you where they are found in each of the pictures in the book.

I originally bought this book to donate to my elementary school library but when I saw it, I just knew I had to have one for myself and several for gifts. I don't know where I have been, but this is my first exposure to the work of Laurel Long. I sure would love to purchase one of her paintings. You owe it to yourself just to see these marvelous illustrations once in your lifetime! Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations, Lyrics in right order November 8, 2011

By songlover1

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I teach elementary music and have found it hard to find 12 Days books with lyrics in the right order. Some books reverse the lords and the drummers or various things. This book gets the order straight (12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a-leaping, 9 ladies dancing, etc.). The only words that gave me a moment's pause were on number 4: "collie birds" instead of "calling birds." I had to search the internet to find out that "collie birds" is an old English term for "blackbirds." I suppose as things get passed in oral traditions this could be one variation of the song, and the sound difference is so slight that if it really bothers you, you could still sing "calling birds." That said, the illustrations are gorgeous: renaissance colors and clothing styles with a modern attention to realistic detail. The detail is in EVERYTHING, so you really have to search (or check the inside of the jacket cover) to find all of the hidden pictures. If you are a fan of Mark Buehner or Tasha Tudor's books or love searching pictures in the "I Spy" series, this is the book for you. I've already found 6 geese a-laying on the partridge page and tons of other things that aren't listed in the answer key. My family is going to cherish this.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous depiction of this classic favorite for the whole family October 29, 2011

By M. Talalay

Format:Hardcover

KIWI Magazine Review:

We've all heard the song, but I assure you have never seen the words illustrated in such glorious fashion as Laurel Long. Long conjures deep, rich colors of the depiction of each day of Christmas,

fit for a museum wall or a cathedral ceiling. Every page is unique and brings the song to life. This book is a treasure, and includes the sheet music at the end so words, song, and images can be brought together.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless beauty. October 27, 2012

By 88keys

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is beautiful. It is not trendy, yet has appeal for every generation. Finding the 'gifts' for each day is fun - rather like a Yule "Where's Waldo." The artwork is classic and timeless. It will be part of our Christmas Tradition always.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laurel Long 12 Days of Christmas Review October 16, 2012

By AT96

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is amazing!! I could not believe the pictures! They were so beautiful! It is probably the most well illustrated book I have ever seen! I have nothing but praise for it. If you are looking for a 12 Days of Christmas book, then get this one!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book January 19, 2012

By mommy2jands

Format:Hardcover

My kids (3 and 4) love the 12 days of Christmas! I picked this one out because people raved about the pictures. It did not disappoint! I was also surprised that you can find (like I Spy) the things in each page. How creative! Great book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Beautiful January 17, 2012

By JLR

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my youngest grandchild for Christmas so she would learn that Christmas lasts twelve days- and that Christmas is the first of the twelve days. I was delighted with the wonderful colorful clever pictures. The style is elegant and lush, reminiscent of Italian Renaissance paintings. This book is a beautiful work of art. The words are the original. And I had no idea this used to be a memory game!
I am buying more, one for my other grandchildren and one for myself!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Illustrations! December 29, 2011

By S. M. Sharp

Format:Hardcover

I got this book specifically because the illustrations are so breath-takingly beautiful--heirloom quality. Really, I could just hang them on the wall as art! A Christmas classic for sure with the words, music and brief history of "The 12 Days of Christmas" you'll be pulling this one out every year during the holiday season (and maybe a few times throughout the rest of the year just to take a peak at the images). This is the kind of book that inspired my imagination as a child. Such a nice change from the poorly drawn illustrations so often found in children's books today. Have fun looking for the images within each illustration.