Taking the words of the traditional English folk-song and Christmas carol, There Was a Pig Went Out To Dig as her text, illustrator Melissa Sweet delivers an engaging holiday picture-book, one that will have plenty of appeal for young animal lovers. Included by Lucy Broadwood in her 1893 collection, English County Songs, this carol follows a series of animals as they undertake all the traditional farming activities, pairing animal and task based on rhyme - a pig digs, a cow plows, a sparrow harrows, a crow sows, a sheep reaps, a drake rakes, and a minnow winnows - with everything occurring on Christmas day, in the morning.

With an informative foreword by John Langstaff, about the origins of the song, and the rural folk customs from which it most likely sprang, and colorful artwork, done in watercolor, gouache and collage by Melissa Sweet, On Christmas Day in the Morning is an appealing holiday title. I wasn't familiar with this song, before picking it up - I immediately thought of another Christmas carol, I Saw Three Ships, when I saw the title - and was pleased to expand my knowledge. I also appreciated the illustrator's note, about the meaning behind the motifs she used, in her decorative borders. There's not much of a story here, but for readers looking for picture-book presentations of Christmas carols and songs, it will still be a winner. ( )

Although this book has been reprinted with new illustrations, this edition is delightful. The illustrations by Antony Groves-Raines have a medieval feel, with humorous details such as a sea-sick angel in "I Saw Three Ships." Also includes Piano settings by Marshall Woodbridge. ( )