The Twelve Days of Christmas is a children’s holiday picture book that began 33 years ago as a love letter to my own children. This traditional carol always captivated me because it was so odd. I thought, “Let’s take each day’s list literally, and bring on some madcap holiday fun!”

It would be zany and funny, based on the idea that each Day of Christmas had a list which must be represented. So, for example, on the third Day of Christmas my true love will have given me three French hens, two more turtle doves, and a third partridge in a third pear tree. It would build exponentially.

It starts serenely enough with the hanging of ornaments,  a Christmas star in the window… but with each day, more gifts are given, more guests arrive. There are opportunities for visual puns and silliness.

It follows the natural course of any party, with a good house-cleaning, then preparations for food. Then the musicians arrive in numbers and the dancing begins!

There are all manner of easter eggs to hunt down (including a literal Easter egg), and details to explore. I truly believe this is a gift you can give to anyone of any age, who loves art and whimsy and Christmas. You can look at it again and again and still not find all the fun.

I hope you will dive into this book with me! Or better yet, with your kids or grandkids!