Review by Horn Book Review
An over-the-top grandma is the one sending presents in this takeoff on the popular Christmas carol. Her gifts on the first six days hew close to the original, but then things take a turn. Rather than seven swans a-swimming, Grandma sends her granddaughter Eloise "seven squirrels a-snorkelling." Smith's vibrantly illustrated three French hens don berets and ascots while carrying French flags. Each page is designed to suggest an envelope with funny details; for example, the squirrels come from "The Rub-A-Dub Home Pamper Service." The twelfth day brings a surprise practical gift, and the book ends with Eloise sending her grandma -- of course -- a thank-you note. Marva Anne HintonNovember/December 2024 p.18 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A whimsical version of a classic Christmas song. Brown-skinned Eloise, an Edwardian-era girl wearing a red hair bow and a dress with a white collar, receives very unusual presents from Grandma, mailed to her daily over the course of 12 days. Initially, the text hews closely to the lyrics of the time-honored song, except that instead of "my true love" doing the sending, "my grandma" is the benefactor. It's a sure bet that readers familiar with that ditty will sing the words instead of reading them, because they're fun to croon and the presents are so over-the-top. They get even quirkier in this clever U.K. import: After the sixth day, the gifts begin to differ sharply from those in the original as Grandma sends Eloise "seven squirrels a-snorkelling," "eight bears a-balancing," and more very odd items, until the last day, when something unexpected arrives in a large, striped carton. (Hint: No animals are involved this time!) Readers will hoot with pleasure, just as Eloise does. (She appreciates this gift, which is much more practical than the others.) The colorful illustrations are comically energetic, enhanced by the inclusion of Edwardian-esque stamps and postage marks in the corner of almost every right-hand page, signifying the cities and companies from which the presents came. Eloise's thank-you note to Grandma appears on the final page, as does brown-skinned Grandma. Be generous this holiday season: Display this delightful book widely at Christmastime. (author's note)(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
