The Twelve Days of Christmas in Tennessee

By Alice Faye Duncan, Mary Reaves Uhles (Illustrator)

Part of the The Twelve Days of Christmas in America series

Explore Tennessee's wonders through Carly's festive adventure and unique gifts each day.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 12 ratings

40 pages

$12.95Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

Carly's Christmas visit to Tennessee with her cousin Teddy turns into an unforgettable adventure. From hiking the Great Smoky Mountains to savoring Nashville's hot chicken, each day brings a new surprise. Teddy gifts Carly with unique Tennessee treasures, like rockers rocking and eagles nesting. As Carly immerses herself in the state's vibrant culture, she discovers the magic of the Volunteer State. What other surprises await her in this festive journey?

From the publisher

The Volunteer state is GREAT! When Carly visits her cousin Teddy in Tennessee for Christmas, she discovers how amazing it is. She hikes the Great Smoky Mountains, dances to bluegrass music, tastes Nashville’s famous hot chicken, and meets more than one Elvis Presley. Every day, Teddy gives her a special Tennessee gift, from 12 rockers rocking and 11 eagles nesting to a mockingbird in a tulip poplar tree.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 630L

Themes & topics

Books about Christmas Books about holidays Books about music Books about vacations Books about cousins

Good to know

Stories behind the story

What guides or references did you use while creating the illustrations for this book?

I tried to visit many of the places that Teddy and Carly visit in the book. My favorite place was the Lost Sea Cave in Sweetwater, TN. It's a giant underground lake and what I learned about creating a scene underground is that it's very DARK. I put the family in the boat looking up at the crystals that sparkle on the cave roof. By Mary Uhles (illustrator)

Are there any details of this book that you particularly love that readers should watch for?

On day 12 the cousins visit Memphis, TN known for, of course, Elvis. Count them, there really are 12 Elvis (Elvi?) dancing on Beale Street By Mary Uhles (illustrator)

What was the hardest part about creating this book?

On one of the final spreads Teddy and Carly see all of the creatures and characters they visit over the twelve days. That was a LOT of characters to get on one spread... and they are not small things, one of them is 7 trains choo-chooing! Fortunately for me I knew that there is a train bridge that crosses the Mississippi river in Memphis so I used that to my advantage... but you have to see the book to see how! Let's just say there are some daredevil train riding Elvi and line and dancers... By Mary Uhles (illustrator)

For readers who can't stop at one