The 13th Day of Christmas
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2025

The 13th Day of Christmas

By Adam Rex

A man receives bizarre gifts, leading to chaos and unexpected joy. Why would his true love send them?

4.3/5 Goodreads · 301 ratings
48 pages
$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A lonely man receives a series of bizarre gifts from his true love, filling his home with birds, milkmaids, and more. As chaos ensues, he seeks answers, turning the mess into a town-wide celebration. But was it all a misunderstanding? Discover the true meaning of Christmas in this humorous twist on a classic carol.

From the publisher

A partridge in a pear tree? Ten lords a-leaping? Now who would want such gifts? And more importantly–why would they be given? Adam Rex investigates in this hilariously heart-warming tale based on one of the best-loved Christmas carols. Our hero is having a lonesome Christmas away from his true love. So when she sends him a gift, of course he loves it–even if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t exactly on his wishlist. Twelve days later, his home is crowded with more birds, milkmaids, pipers, and other guests than he can possibly make sense of. Why would his true love think he’d like this?! His search for answers transforms the disaster into a source of joy for the whole town–complete with a parade, a circus, and a fundraiser for the school library. By the time his true love gets home, the man finally understands what she’s given him: the true meaning of Christmas. But she has no idea what he’s talking about– the whole thing was a wacky online shopping mixup. All she’d meant to buy was a pair of gold engagement rings. She meant to propose! Adam Rex, creator of School’s First Day of School and many other beloved books for children, strikes again with this hilarious twist on the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. Sardonic and earnest in equal measures, The Thirteenth Day of Christmas is a hit for any day of the year. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
48
Reading age
5–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
~459L
For readers who can't stop at one

The next favorite is already out there.

Age-appropriate books selected to help their love of reading grow, delivered right to their door.

Find their book club
Bookroo club box with books for growing readers
More from the creator

More from Adam Rex

Explore Adam's bookshelf
On Account of the Gum
Sale price
$1799

On Account of the Gum

Ages 5–8 · 2020

How This Book Was Made

Ages 3–6 · 2016

Pluto Gets the Call

Ages 3–8 · 2019
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1499

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard

Ages 6–9 · 2023
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books

Boats on the Bay

Ages 4–7 · 2018
The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the Hard Way)
Sale price
$1899

The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His ABC's (the Hard Way)

Ages 3–6 · 2017
Sale price
$1799

Hop Along Boo

Ages 3–7 · 2016

Warning: Do Not Open This Book!

Ages 4–8 · 2013

Everything & Everywhere

Ages 5–8 · 2018
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1899

Little Fox in the Forest

Ages 4–8 · 2017

What Miss Mitchell Saw

Ages 4–8 · 2019

The Balcony

Ages 4–8 · 2019
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
3.1
F&P level
~M
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
556279
Publication
Published
September 9, 2025
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780823456536

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo