The Twelve Mehs of Christmas by Gudetama

October 7, 2019
In a greeting card–size bah-humbug version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a curmudgeonly broken egg could not be less enthusiastic about the season: each day leading up to the holiday is more “meh” than “yay,” even as the egg receives gifts from a “true love.” In Gudetama’s simply expressive artwork, the egg is seen recoiling from the festive offerings, appearing in some images as a veritable puddle of yolk, in others like a beached whale. As the gifts accumulate—they include “five jars of mayo,/ four strips of bacon,/ three Russian dolls,/ two Swiss rolls,/ and a hot cup of matcha green tea,” readers may become puzzled—and worried. Is the egg on the Christmas morning menu? Refreshingly, the eggy protagonist doesn’t even crack a smile on the 12th day: “Is Christmas over yet?” It’s a sly reminder that Christmas isn’t everyone’s favorite time of year. Ages 10–up.