The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Celebration of Nature

Christmas song, adapted and illustrated by Briana Corr Scott. Many readers will be familiar with this traditional song, but what Scott has added to it are gorgeous illustrations that tie in the old lyrics with new takes on nature. Five days into Christmas, true love presents “Five golden rings” (p. 9). Instead of an illustration of just golden rings, Scott depicts magpies that have presumably stolen the rings and are holding them in their nest. For “eight maids a-milking” (p. 9), the readers see beautiful butterflies collecting pollen from stunning flowers. “Nine ladies dancing” (p. 11) are really ladybugs flitting around flora while “Ten lords a-leaping” (p. 13) are magnificent rabbits. This nature-inspired take on the classic song is refreshing and engaging.

In addition to this creative tale, there is an appendix at the back of the book (“About the Images,” p. 19) that talks through each illustration with the author’s reflections on why she chose to illustrate how she did, such as her encounter with butterflies in the summer that inspired “Eight maids a-milking” (p. 9). This charming insight adds a very personal feeling to the book.

Scott’s illustrations are whimsical, colorful, and full of movement. Each page beholds creatures, plants, and flowers that fit beautifully with the song’s lyrics and encourage an appreciation of nature. Young and old readers alike will be captured by the melodic prose partnered with detailed, lovely pictures.

Briana Corr Scott’s The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Celebration of Nature, a beautiful take on a classic song, is sure to be re-read every holiday season.