The Twelve Days of Summer [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Lee O'Donnell (Author), Karen Lee Schmidt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

On each of the first twelve days of summer, sandpipers run, starfish strut, and waves crash in Elizabeth Lee O'Donnell's jaunty variation on the traditional carol. High-spirited illustrations add to the pleasure of a witty picture book that is a splendid accompaniment to any day at the beach. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Left to amuse herself at the beach, a little girl begins an adventure of the imagination, starting with "a little purple sea anemone" and building to "twelve gulls a-gliding." Modeled after the traditional Christmas carol, the cumulation works beautifully as each page reveals yet another sea creature, including jellyfish, flying fish, pipers, and pelicans. Illustrations are a riot of color and movement, right down to the heroine surfing on "eleven waves a-crashing." A sense of excitement and fun is accomplished by the use of double-page spreads throughout, a lush palette, and the unabashed attribution of personalities to animals and humans alike. The text must be sung to the familiar tune for the rhythm to work, but the rewards are worth the effort. Inclusion of the full text of the song up to that point on each two-page spread allows for the opportunity to pause and take in the many delightful details of each illustration. A novel and charming picture book.
- Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Lib . System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688082025
• ISBN-13: 978-0688082024
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,058,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Spectacular, August 25, 2009

By 

Danny Boy (Falls Church, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Twelve Days of Summer (Hardcover)

This is without a doubt one of the best counting books ever published. No matter your age or how high you can count, you'll love this book... Ms. Schmidt's illustrations are nothing less than spectacular.

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you can sing!!!, September 15, 2011

By 

Barbara Miles - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Twelve Days of Summer (Library Binding)

This is a wonderful book written in the style of the 12 Days of Christmas. My grandchildren sing the verses as a little girl uses her imagination to see a lot of animals at the beach. The last part is always "and a little purple sea anemone." Of course we have to find it on every page! We talk about numbers, things at the beach, weather, how that little toy plane could fly, how the toy boat could hold the little girl and a host of other questions that arise each time we read this book. Did I mention that we read it every night before bed? This book is a joy to share with children especially since they find something new to talk about at each reading. I highly recommend its purchase!