English picture-book author and artist Alison Jay turns her attention to the classic Christmas carol in this lovely holiday picture-book. The twelve verses of the song are paired with Jay's illustrations of the twelve gifts, as her artwork depicts an evidently much in love couple as they make their way to a Christmas ball, and then home again...

This lovely picture-book is the second Christmas title I have read from Jay, following upon her 2010 The Nutcracker, and is a wonderful addition to any collection devoted to Christmas carols. As someone with an interest in Christmas carol picture-books - I have now read around sixteen such titles devoted specifically to The Twelve Days of Christmas - I'm always eager to see what different artists will do with the same material. I appreciated the way Jay worked her carol into a larger visual story about a couple attending a ball, and (as always) I enjoyed her beautiful crackle-finish illustrations. I don't know that this will go on my favorites list - the best versions of this are the ones illustrated by Laurel Long and Jane Ray, in my opinion - but it is still a sweet little work. Recommended to fans of the artist, and to anyone seeking beautiful picture-book versions of The Twelve Days of Christmas. ( )