The Twelve Days of Christmas Island; Teresa Lagrange

Christmas Island is home to all sorts of incredible wildlife and plants, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. With almost two-thirds of the island a National Park, it is very much a paradise for the plants and animals that live there and Teresa Lagrange invites you to meet twelve feathered friends whilst singing along to the tune of a well-known Christmas classic.

Originally published in 2013, The Twelve Days of Christmas Island has been republished just in time for the festive season. And whilst there may be a distinct lack of snow and the jolly old fella with a sack load of presents, there is certainly plenty of festive cheer to be found within the pages of this book and a cracking bird-themed twist on a favourite Christmas song that I guarantee will have you singing the words to yourself or to the little one that you share the book with.

You can forget your leaping lords, milking maids, geese-a-laying and piping pipers and instead marvel over twelve winged-wonders, all vibrantly illustrated, that call a tiny island in the Indian Ocean - north-west of Australia - their home. On this Christmas counting adventure young readers get to meet some fantastic native birds including Frigates, Goshawks, Doves and Noddies. Bonus content at the end provides further information on Christmas Island and each of the featured birds.

Now let’s get to singing…‘On the first day of Christmas, the Island gave to me…an Owl in a Lilly Pilly tree.’

With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 3+.