ALA Booklist

The old English folk song gets new legs in this spirited adaptation that showcases the cutie-pie animals that have romped through other Cabrera books. The author's tweaking of the original lyrics (instead of a partridge in a pear tree, for example, her birds host a party in a pear tree) makes this more relatable to the youngest readers, while wizened older readers will enjoy the updates. Cabrera's joyful, naive-style paintings feature rounded, Chagall-inspired hills and crazy angles, along with cozy interiors and big-eyed, rosy-cheeked animals. Scenes are set both inside and outside; for example, 3 little kittens toast marshmallows on the hearth and enjoy hot chocolate, while later, 7 squirrels ski, 9 foxes sled, 10 snowmen sing, 11 reindeer dance, and 12 penguins ice skate. Cabrera ends the book with sheet music for the traditional song, plus the new lyrics. Devotees of other Cabrera renditions of popular nursery rhymes should be duly enchanted.

Horn Book

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... / a party in a pear tree.

Kirkus Reviews

Cabrera continues her series of modern interpretations of classic children's songs with an updated, chipper version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring groups of cheerful animals and other cute characters getting ready for Christmas. The little girl in this version of the folk song is surprised by her "true love" (or, more likely, her best pal), who gives her a flock of tiny birds partying in the pear tree. That gift is followed by two drumming dogs, three cute cats and four magic mice. A story unfolds in Cabrera's bold, naïvely styled acrylic paintings, with the little girl and boy and all the animals gathering around an outdoor Christmas tree under five shining stars. As the song continues, other animals join the outdoor winter fun, along with elves a-baking indoors and snowmen outside singing. Following 11 dancing reindeer and 12 skating penguins, Santa arrives in his sleigh to take the little girl and boy back home. This innovative version of the old song should appeal readily to today's children since the animals and their actions are all recognizable. The new words are quite easy to sing, and the musical notation is included in the final pages. There are many picture-book versions of the old song in print, but this bright, sunny variation is good fun for young children, particularly as a sing-along experience. (Picture book. 3-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Cabrera-s jaunty spin on this traditional tune begins when a boy presents his -true love- with a -party in a pear tree--a rainbow of birds wearing hats and crowns while grooving under a disco ball and joining together in a conga line. In successive wintry scenes, readers meet seven squirrels skiing, 10 snowmen singing, and 12 penguins skating before Santa whisks the boy and girl aloft for a -sleigh ride home.- Creamy colors, rough-looking textures, and thick black outlines continue to be hallmarks of Cabrera-s energetic acrylic artwork. Full lyrics and musical notation are included. Ages 2-5. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1 A child's friend gives her what amounts to a rollicking winter wonderland, from "a party in a pear tree" to "7 squirrels skiing" to "10 snowmen singing" until finally she gets a sleigh ride home with Santa. The charm of this adaptation of the traditional folk song lies in the cheerful acrylic illustrations, which feature adorably bright-eyed and animated creatures prancing about in the snow (all except for the "6 bears a-snoozing," of course). Lyrics and music are included at the end. Lots of appeal for young children. Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library