Ho Ho Ho and Fa la la!

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with our favorite bear from Darkest Peru? Paddington’s Twelve Days of Christmas by Michael Bond, Karen Jankel, and R.W. Alley (HarperCollins, 2025) was just released in September and as far as we’re concerned, any new Paddington picture book is a special gift.

This story was actually first published in 1988 as Paddington’s Magical Christmas (art by David McKee), and then in 1993 (art by John Lobban). Now for this recently revised edition, longtime and current Paddington illustrator R.W. Alley has created brand new pen-and-ink and watercolor spreads that fairly sing from the pages with energy and pizzazz.

So what is dear Paddington up to this time?

One day while writing Christmas cards he overhears Mrs Bird singing — unusual in itself, but even more surprising since it was about her true love sending her a partridge in a pear tree. What a great idea! Wish he’d thought of it since he needs a special present for the Browns. But when he checks the garden, there’s not a pear tree or partridge in sight.

He then hears Mrs Brown singing that her true love had sent four calling birds, three French hens and two turtledoves — and another partridge in a pear tree. Paddington hurries outside again, only to find none of these things anywhere. What is going on?

And that’s not the end of it. Next, Judy breaks out in song. What was she given? Everything Mrs Brown received plus five gold rings! Wow! The Browns’ friend must be very rich to be able to afford so many presents.

“Over the next few days the mystery deepened.” Mr Brown sang about six geese a-laying (but not a single egg anywhere), and Mrs Bird continued with seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking and nine ladies dancing. Of course Paddington isn’t able to spot any of these things nor the ten lords a-leaping Jonathan’s true love had sent him!

Only one thing to do — consult with Mr Gruber (he’s smart and surely he can explain the mystery). Cup of cocoa in hand, Paddington tells him how “Mrs Bird has fallen in love with a very rich man who has lots of servants and keeps birds.” He mentions all the Christmas presents the man keeps sending that disappear as fast as they arrive.

To Paddington’s astonishment, Mr Gruber has a ready answer: the rich friend has probably also sent eleven pipers piping. He then explains that there really aren’t any presents; the Browns were singing a traditional song about the twelve days of Christmas, which actually gives him a great idea for Paddington’s present to them.

Together, Mr Gruber and Paddington visit all their friends in the Portobello Road Market who are only too happy to help with the surprise. On Christmas morning, a strange procession heads towards 32 Windsor Gardens. Everyone’s singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” bringing the song to life with costumes, drums, pipes, dancing and enthusiastic reveling. Pure joy!

When the parade finally reaches the Browns’ home, Mrs Bird invites everyone in for tea and hot mince pies fresh from the oven. Mrs Brown declares it “the nicest start to a Christmas Day anyone could possibly wish for.” With a bear like Paddington, life is always full of lovely surprises. 🙂

Not only is this a fun and festive way to introduce kids to this iconic cumulative carol, the story doubles as the merriest of counting books. Alley captures the spirit of the season, the coziness of home, and the heartwarming pleasures of family, friends and community. Anticipation is a big part of the holidays, and we see each of the Browns busy with preparations: Mrs Brown decorates the mantel, Judy trims the tree, Mr Brown wraps gifts, Jonathan checks the advent calendar.

Inclusion and cooperation are also important themes, and it’s heartening to know everyone wants to help Paddington give the Browns a gift to remember. How wonderful that clever Mr Gruber, Paddington’s special friend, is instrumental in organizing the parade, while Paddington couldn’t be more endearing or amusing with his antics.

Alley’s impressive level of detail must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. He provides a fresh interpretation of the song with clever variations: the laying geese are wind-up toys, the swimming swans are cupcake toppers, the three French hens appear in an antique painting, and the turtledoves fly out of a magician’s hat. So much for young eyes to pore over, and they’ll enjoy every second spent on every page.

We’re thrilled to add this freshly minted Paddington book to our collection of Michael Bond-R.W. Alley Christmas titles (Paddington and the Christmas Surprise (2015) and Paddington’s Christmas Post (2024)). Paddington represents the best of what anyone can be: good-hearted, fun, polite, friendly, well-intentioned, optimistic, loving. Read Paddington’s Twelve Days of Christmas this holiday season, emulate his ethos and of course, Believe.

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🎄 A LITTLE FESTIVE FROLIC WITH TEA AND MINCE PIES 🎅

No surprise — Basil, Cornelius and the 70-something resident Paddingtons craved mince pies after reading this story. We brewed up a few different teas from our Twelve Days of Christmas Teas collection and had a fine feast.

There’s nothing merrier than sipping a warm cuppa, nibbling on a holiday treat, and chatting with friends, furry or human. Less than a week to go until Christmas!

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PADDINGTON’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
written by Michael Bond & Karen Jankel
illustrated by R.W Alley
published by HarperCollins Children’s Books UK, September 2025
Picture Book for ages 4-8, 32pp.

♥️ Enjoy my review of Paddington’s Christmas Post that includes a Paddington Christmas Tea + a recipe for Gingerbread Bears. 🐻

♥️ Since “The Twelve Days of Christmas” originated in England, here is a rousing rendition by the Exeter University Singers (wait for some fun surprises in this wonderful arrangement by Ian Humpris). BTW, the song’s lyrics were first published in an illustrated children’s book called Mirth Without Mischief (1780). Of the many melodies associated with the song, the most familiar is this arrangement of a traditional folk melody by Frederic Austin (1909).

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Lovely and talented artist, poet, and teacher Michelle Kogan is hosting the Roundup at moreart4all. Be sure to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared around the blogosphere this week. Enjoy your weekend!

**Friendly Reminder: There’s still time to enter the Jane Austen 250th Birthday Celebration Giveaway for a copy of Jane and the Blue Willow Princess by Catherine Little and Sae Kimura (Plumleaf Press, 2025), which is a charming story about young Jane as a budding writer that features iconic Blue Willow china and Cheese Toasties (Jane’s favorite snack). 🙂

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🎄 HOLIDAY BLOG BREAK 🎅

Basil, Cornelius, the 70-something resident Paddingtons and I wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year. In the midst of all the hurry and bustle, hope you take the time to do something fun or special just for yourself. See you in 2026!

🕊️ Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men 🕊️

BTW, have YOU been naughty or nice this year? 😀

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*Interior spreads text copyright © 1988 and 2025, The Estate of Michael Bond and Karen Jankel, illustrations © 2025 R.W. Alley, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. All rights reserved.

**Copyright © 2025 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.