Book Review: The Twelve Days of Christmas

This book is described as “a Pop-up Celebration”, and an “Anniversary Edition”. It is certainly a celebration, and just out in time for Christmas, which is very appropriate. It is not clear from the information provided what anniversary is being celebrated, unless, of course, it is 25 December.

The contents are as on the cover – The Twelve Days of Christmas – and each of the six double-spreads of this smallish but bulky book shows two of the days, one as a centre-piece and one under a folded page. The designs are neat and very clever, with a touch of wit. The piece de resistance has to be the last spread, where some of the twelve days are represented on a Christmas tree replete with lights that flash as you open the book. (At least, we assume that they go out when you close the book.)

The blurb says that “this lavish book is a gift for readers of all ages”. Our comments on The Jungle Book apply, but it would certainly make a nice present for any child who will appreciate it. Apparently Robert Sabuda has also done pop-up versions of other books, including The Wizard of Oz, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: A Classic Collectable Popup (Classic Collectible Pop-Up), The Night Before Christmas (Pop-up book).

Sabuda, R. The Twelve Days of Christmas Pop-up Book Simon and Schuster
ISBN 1-416-92638-0
£19.99