Publishers Weekly
★ 09/12/2022
Revamping “The 12 Days of Christmas” to sweetly bustling effect, Fryer Brown pens a lively refrain recounting a Black family gathering’s doorbell dings, each of which heralds the arrival of more relatives and dishes: “two selfie queens... three posh sibs... four pounds of chitlins... BAKED MACARONI AND CHEEEEEESE!” In Glenn’s citrus-toned illustrations, the child narrator, who sports a magenta dress and green hairbow, regards the growing crowd while awaiting “a sweet potato pie just for me!” As the home becomes increasingly jam-packed and ever more festive (“six toddlers squealing... seven brothers repping... eight players yelling... nine women whisp’ring...”), even the promised sweet potato pie seems imperiled—until a beloved elder comes through. It’s a lovingly chaotic portrayal with a pleasingly ample feel. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Twelve Dinging Doorbells:
A Amazon Best Book of the Year 2022
A Children’s Book Council Favorite Picture Books
A Golden Kite nominee
A Fuse 8 2022 Transcendent Holiday Picture Books
A Children’s Book Council Children’s and Young Adult Favorites
★ "This vibrant celebration of African American families, fun, and culture will be a great addition to library collections."
—School Library Journal, starred review
★ "A new classic."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Revamping 'The 12 Days of Christmas' to sweetly bustling effect, Fryer Brown pens a lively refrain…It’s a lovingly chaotic portrayal with a pleasingly ample feel."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
School Library Journal
★ 09/01/2022
PreS-Gr 2—On the day of a family's holiday reunion, the dinging doorbell heralds each new guest. A sweet potato pie, a pair of selfie queens, and a trio of posh siblings are just the beginning of the many attendees. With every ding, the gathering grows increasingly crowded and noisy as players yell, and toddlers squeal. Though having so many people in one place can feel overwhelming, family's still family and everyone's having fun. It also helps when there's a slice of sweet potato pie left. This picture book, with its lyrics a take on the familiar tune "The Twelve Days of Christmas," is a celebration of African American families and culture. Brown-skinned people in colorful attire grace each spread. The illustrator combined collage art with digital renderings to produce dynamic images of the gathering. VERDICT This vibrant celebration of African American families, fun, and culture will be a great addition to library collections.—Myiesha Speight
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2022-08-17
Soul food and larger-than-life personalities populate the pages of this catch-all family celebration.
Beginning 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. 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!”). Toddlers and aunties and fraternity brothers crowd in. 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. 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. Brown cleverly turns an old tune into a modern, energetic romp. Glenn’s bright art makes inspired use of perspective and a broad palette to emphasize the joys and chaos of large family gatherings. 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. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A new classic that will ease children through any holiday season. (Picture book. 3-7)
