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The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas
  • Published: 4 November 2026
  • ISBN: 9781774885345
  • Imprint: Tundra Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $39.99

The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas

Formats & editions
EBook
6 Oct 2026
Hardback
4 Nov 2026
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A joyous celebration of Jamaican food — and of Christmas — set to the traditional song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, a debut picture book by acclaimed author Zalika Reid-Benta.

A joyous celebration of Jamaican food — and of Christmas — set to the traditional song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, a debut picture book by acclaimed author Zalika Reid-Benta.

On the third day of Christmas, mi granny gave to me three beef patties, two sorrel drinks and some saltfish with some ackee. And then coco breads and Champagne colas. Plaintains and black cakes and breadfruits and yams — and don't forget the rice and peas!

This playful twist on the classic Christmas song builds a delicious festive feast, Jamaican style. As Granny bakes and roasts and fries, her family prepares for the season, shopping and decorating and "helping" in the kitchen, hungrily watching the dishes come together.

A joyful seasonal celebration of family and food.

Includes recipes for ackee and saltfish.
  • Published: 4 November 2026
  • ISBN: 9781774885345
  • Imprint: Tundra Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $39.99
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About the author

Zalika Reid-Benta

ZALIKA REID-BENTA is a Canadian writer. Her debut novel River Mumma was shortlisted for the 2024 Trillium Book Award and her debut story collection Frying Plantain won the 2020 Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the 2020 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Literary Fiction. Her second novel The Seacliff Hotel will be published in Spring 2027 and her picture books, The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas and Esme’s Happy Place, will be published in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
portrait photo of Zalika Reid-Benta

Praise for The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas

PRAISE FOR River Mumma:
"A powerful yet funny, thrilling yet zany exploration of the past and present, a must-read." —Toronto Star