TWELVE DINGING DOORBELLS

Soul food and larger-than-life personalities populate the pages of this catch-all family celebration.

Beginning and ending with “a sweet potato pie just for me,” this colorful picture book modeled after “The Twelve Days of Christmas” follows a young Black child as doorbells ring and the house fills with relatives. Counting up from the first dinging doorbell to the dizzying 12th, people arrive—“two selfie queens,” “three posh sibs”—and dishes pile up (“four pounds of chitlins” and the highlight, “BAKED MACARONI AND CHEEEEEESE!”). Toddlers and aunties and fraternity brothers crowd in. As the night wears on, the view of the house expands to include a long table of food, round tables for games of spades, and a dance floor. The narrator’s disappointment when the sweet potato pie is eaten turns the repeating verses on their heads; a change in language mirrors the shift in attitude familiar to anyone who’s had enough of family for one night. Brown cleverly turns an old tune into a modern, energetic romp. Glenn’s bright art makes inspired use of perspective and a broad palette to emphasize the joys and chaos of large family gatherings. Though the book is a funny riff on a familiar Christmas song, there aren’t any Yuletide-specific references, nor does it appear to be set during winter, making this delightful and dynamic story perfect for any time of year. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A new classic that will ease children through any holiday season.