Jenny Overton (1) (1942–2017)

This book is about how the song the 12 days of Christmas could have come about. Francis is in love with Annaple and Annaple's siblings would really like her to get married so they suggest to Francis that he be a little more romantic when choosing a Christmas gift for Annaple and they give him some suggestions. For 12 days the gifts get more and more extravagant.
I really, really liked this book! I liked the setting of a small town. I loved reading about all the old fashioned traditions that people used to do. There was a different tradition for each day after Christmas.
It was so funny! Annaple makes the kids bathe in milk because they have so much of it. At one point "Neighbours whose windows overlooked the street were hiring out places - 'Excellent views, comfortable chairs, and a cup of apple juice on the house.'" It becomes like a festival with everyone gathering and people bringing food.
It was such an entertaining read and fairly short at 150 pages. I'm looking forward to adding it to my Christmas collection.
… (plus d'informations)

Loved re-reading this book from my long ago childhood. Beautifully written, it tells the story of Annaple, who has a decidedly romantic view of marriage and is not interested in the more pragmatic Francis' attempts to woo her. Loosely based on the '12 days of Christmas' song, Francis swings into action, helped by Annaple's brothers and sister who would be happy for her to leave home (they all like Francis) as her cooking is awful and she bosses them dreadfully. As Francis' romantic gestures become more fanciful, Annaple gets sniffier and the whole town follows the wooing with interest.

Daily life, Christmas traditions and the fickleness of emotions make this a really enjoyable read, especially for 9-12 year olds.… (plus d'informations)