The Twelve Birdies of Christmas

The traditional carol is hilariously brought to life as 12 birdies count their way through the 12 days. From beret-wearing French hens to calling birds using their cell phones to scuba-diving swans, this visual reimagining of the holiday song is great fun for the youngest readers. From the artist of Dirty Birdies and Bundle Up, Jennifer Sattler.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$8.99 $8.99
$20.99 $20.99
Interest Level Preschool - Kindergarten
Reading Level Grade 1
Dewey 782.42 E
Lexile
ATOS Reading Level
Guided Reading Level
Language English
Publisher Sleeping Bear Press
Available Formats Boardbook (9781534110946), PDF (9781534167339), Hosted ebook (9781534167506)
Copyright 2020
Number of Pages 24
Dimensions 7 x 6
Graphics Full-color illustrations

The Horn Book - Twelve Birdies of Christmas

The classic “Twelve Days of Christmas” song mentions many birds, but this original board book’s humorous spin devotes every day to them. Instead of a “partridge in a pear tree,” a red-spotted green “birdie in a Santa Claus beard” is the first zany gift. Each subsequent day the corresponding numeral and matching number of birds are pictured for youngsters to count. Mainly white backgrounds keep the focus on the avian antics (the “4 calling birdies” are talking on cellphones; the “8 birdies a-milking” are drinking milk); the birds themselves are very expressive and a colorful collection of shapes and sizes.

Author, Illustrator: Jennifer Sattler

Jennifer Sattler is the award-winning author and illustrator of numerous children’s books, including the new board books Dirty Birdies and Jungle Gym, as well as the picture book Sylvie, and the Pig Kahuna and the Chick ’n’ Pug series. She lives in upstate New York, where she delights in embarrassing her children and having meaningful conversations with her dog, Henry. Learn more about her at jennifersattlerbooks.com.

  • Beginning of Text
  • Birdie 1
  • Birdie 2
  • Birdie 3
  • Birdie 4
  • Birdie 5
  • Birdie 6
  • Birdie 7
  • Birdie 8
  • Birdie 9
  • Birdie 10
  • Birdie 11
  • Birdie 12
Activities for further learning
Author/Illustrator biography
Full-color illustrations