On the third day of Christmas, a mademoiselle from Paris sent her true love three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. But -- the hens never arrived. . . .

Colette, Poulette, and Fifi end up delivered not to Philippe Renard, but to Phil Fox from the Bronx. Phil can’t believe his luck -- a free lunch right on his doorstep! But his plans to dine on the delectable fowl are foiled as the French hens work their Christmas magic on him, proving that the spirit of the holidays can bring the most unlikely folks together.

Margie Palatini is the author of The Web Files; Mary Had a Little Ham; Moosekitos; Moosetache; Mooseltoe; Broom Mates; and Zoom Broom, among many others. Margie Palatini lives with her husband and son in New Jersey. Visit her Web site, www.margiepalatini.com.

Richard Egielski has won numerous awards over the course of his illustrious career, including the 1987 Caldecott Medal for Hey, Al (by Arthur Yorinks). His most recent titles for Hyperion are Liberty’s Journey (by Kelly DiPucchio) and The Web Files. Richard Egielski lives in New Jersey with his family.