(This book was reviewed digitally.)Ī new classic that will ease children through any holiday season.Ī home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature. Though the book is a funny riff on a familiar Christmas song, there aren’t any Yuletide-specific references, nor does it appear to be set during winter, making this delightful and dynamic story perfect for any time of year. Glenn’s bright art makes inspired use of perspective and a broad palette to emphasize the joys and chaos of large family gatherings. Brown cleverly turns an old tune into a modern, energetic romp. The narrator’s disappointment when the sweet potato pie is eaten turns the repeating verses on their heads a change in language mirrors the shift in attitude familiar to anyone who’s had enough of family for one night. As the night wears on, the view of the house expands to include a long table of food, round tables for games of spades, and a dance floor. Toddlers and aunties and fraternity brothers crowd in.
Counting up from the first dinging doorbell to the dizzying 12th, people arrive-“two selfie queens,” “three posh sibs”-and dishes pile up (“four pounds of chitlins” and the highlight, “BAKED MACARONI AND CHEEEEEESE!”). Recommend for toddlers and preschoolers.Soul food and larger-than-life personalities populate the pages of this catch-all family celebration.īeginning and ending with “a sweet potato pie just for me,” this colorful picture book modeled after “The Twelve Days of Christmas” follows a young Black child as doorbells ring and the house fills with relatives.
The book is full of bright colors and happy faces, with a little girl being the main character that children can locate on each page.įinal verdict: TWELVE DINGING DOORBELLS is a clever twist on a joyful carol that alters it to suit any holiday with family, joy, and good food. Some refrains feature relatives while others feature food - all the best parts of holiday gatherings. The house begins to fill up as the doorbell keeps ringing and more people arrive. The illustrations are lovely and show all the love and joy of family gatherings. Each page spread includes the new phrase as well as those that came before, so it can be sung to the whole song. While it may take a minute at first to get into the rhythm of the song, the words are carefully chosen to suit it well throughout. What I loved: This was a fun twist on the traditional carol that turns it into something that could be used for any holiday when family gathers together.
As the story continues, more relatives arrive at the house, filling it with joy and laughter - as well as plenty of good food. The words could be sung, and build from the first ringing doorbell of the holiday to the twelfth. TWELVE DINGING DOORBELLS is a sweet twist on the 12 Days of Christmas carol that makes the song into one that will work for any holiday gathering.
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