A Porcupine in a Pine Tree

A Canadian 12 Days of Christmas
By Helaine Becker
Illustrated by Werner Zimmerman
Northwinds Press, 2010

Every year around Christmas time people start singing about all the things "my true love gave to me" for Christmas. But does it make any sense to you to be given "swans a swimming" or even "lords a leaping"? Not to me.

In a modernization of the classic song, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree puts a Canadian twist on the tune we all know so well. From the lone porcupine in a pine tree all the way to a dozen bear cubs who like to dance, every item in this book is something that Canadians know well and can relate to.

The illustrations are also a major part of the fun. While the song is silly enough, the various animals in the illustrations are behaving mischievously in every single picture. Reading the book with a child and spotting the silliness in the pictures would be a lot of fun.

Though this book seems to be hard to get with Amazon.com, Canadian sites like Chapters.ca do have this title.