"Her neighbors came to their windows, too.
Now the pipers and leapers and drummers
and dancers had an audience, so of course
everyone started doing their thing.
I tried to tell her about Trudy, but she
couldn't hear me over the music and animals.
The other seniors clapped along,
and Mom had this big smile on her face.
When the song ended everyone cheered.
Oh, thank you,
sweetie.
This was the
BEST GIFT."
Oh, I love, love, love this new book from the very funny Adam Rex! Who hasn't heard The 12 Days of Christmas while singing Christmas songs? While singing it, have you ever considered the mess that might be left by the 13th day? If not, Mr. Rex offers a hilarious look at why it happened and what the resulting chaos is like.
In three introductory spreads, the narrator explains his true love is visiting her parents, leaving him quite lonely. The quiet allows him to hear chirping outside. An opened door offers a warm surprise ... a partridge atop a pear tree. He is impressed with both. A card explains it was sent by his true love. The day after Christmas three more birds and a pear tree are on his sidewalk. He is sure that readers have figured out what is happening by now.
The first dramatic illustration fully covers the double-page spread with drummers, geese, dancers, swans, partridges, milkmaids. You can only imagine; the overwhelmed narrator feels a phone call is needed. (Trudy (his true love) answers on the fifth ring. An argument ensues, ending in a hangup and sadness for the narrator who has only tried to be honest about how he is feeling about the menagerie. He has many sympathetic guests.
He decides to cycle to his mother's home. Stunned by the number of visitors outside, his mother needs an explanation. He offers a gold ring as he has many. She refuses, wanting only to keep the one his father gave her. It's time to take their leave. The shenanigans that happen as the large horde of people and animals make their way home simply adds to the fun of it all.
"Our people grew and grew
and spilled into the park.
My new friends and I met
fun-runners running,
electric bikers biking,
skateboarders leaping,
line dancers dancing."
On it goes until they are back home with more ideas than enough to help others, and raise money for important things. Suddenly, the day arrives for Trudy's return. No longer angry, he enlists from his friends to welcome her back. He explains that her gifts changed his life; they encouraged him to think of others and share which made everyone very happy.
The hilarious and heartfelt ending makes it a book to be shared with all ages. Little ones will love the song and the hoopla; older students will understand the finer points of the gift meant to be sent to Trudy's true love.
I have read it aloud numerous times (to myself), and can't wait to have a Christmas read with my granddaughters in July. Bravo!
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