Carl's Christmas [Hardcover]

Alexandra Day (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Carl

A family's faithful dog and the baby left in his charge share an adventure-filled Christmas Eve.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The words "Take good care of the baby, Carl"--practically the only words in Day's books about the lovable rottweiler--trigger giggles of delight from readers of all ages. And though Carl's Christmas has much in common with its predecessor, Carl Goes Shopping , the new book has charms all its own. Carl is imbued with enough "good will towards man" to warm a whole town, and on Christmas Eve he and his infant charge venture forth to spread holiday cheer. Carl donates a basket of goodies to the needy (the baby contributes his hat), then lends his "voice" to a group of carolers. Back at home, awakened by strange sounds, Carl investigates; his expression as he comes face-to-face with his first reindeer is priceless. While this may not be Carl's most original adventure, it's still a delight, bound to please the good dog's old friends--and win him plenty of new ones. All ages.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

" 'We're going to Grandma's and then to church. Take good care of the baby, Carl' " is the opening and sole text for this wordless story of the canine Carl and his babysitting talents. In the parents' absence, Carl gives the baby a ride downstairs where they decorate a potted plant. Then, the unflappable dog gets the baby into his outdoor outfit and they're off to town. Once home again, Carl greets the cow-faced reindeer, ushers Santa through the door, helps disperse gifts, and sees the jolly old fellow off up the chimney. Day's paintings are fond renderings of the rottweiler and his baby charge in their modern-day, old Victorian mansion. Readers may wonder how a dog gets a baby into sleepers and up on his back for the ride to bed, but no matter in this fantasy. Carl lovers don't ask questions--capable Carl can do anything.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (October 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374311145
• ISBN-13: 978-0374311148
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In addition to The Christmas We Moved to the Barn, Cooper Edens has writted many ppular children's books, including If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow, and his popular Santa Cow books. Mr Edens lives in Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars H-E-L-L-OOOO!!! "Carl" is a wonderul FANTASY!, November 16, 2003

By 

"wowe59" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carl's Christmas (Hardcover)

A absolutely WONDERFUL book! One in a series of "Carl" books, that are beautifully illustrated and "told" in the most lovely way for young readers...thru the illustrations! My son totally enjoyed this book when he was much younger (which did NOT prompt him to try and ride our 2 Rotts, as some seem to have a problem with) and it has become an absolute favorite for one of my nephews, who is 3 yrs. old...the "adults" who write in ridiculous unproductive reviews, as has been posted here in the past, and need a forum to discuss child endangetment issues, need to find another venue...this is not the place; Childrens books, for the most part, have always been based on FANTASY! Parents help by teaching their children the differences between fantasy and reality...yes, even to 2 year olds! If the thinking of a few "joyless" people who have posted their "reveiws" here in the past on this book was the norm, then I guess Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, et. al., should be "arrested" for child neglect too, for kids might try jumping off roofs to fly! Go Carl!!!

PS...And here's a thought: if you have children sitting on your pets, as the reveiwer from Stockton CA (reveiw posted Nov. 26, 2002) has a problem with, and can't get the kids to stop, then maybe it is time to do your pets a favor and find them new homes!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Illustrated Fantasy, May 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Carl's Christmas (Hardcover)

Of course no one would leave his/her baby with an ordinary dog--but this is CARL! Carl can dress the baby and care for the baby. Let's face it. The story is totally make believe. Santa arrives at the home too and leaves by traveling up the chimney. I don't suppose I would expect that in real life either. The illustrations are lovely. There are very few words in the book, so it is fun to tell the story in your own words. I think Carl's Christmas as well as the other Carl books are charming.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids Love the Impossibility of It, July 18, 2005

By 

BLB (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carl's Christmas (Hardcover)

In spite of the reservations of some earlier reviewers, I'd say our kids love the Carl books precisely BECAUSE nobody would use a rottweiler as a babysitter or as a pint-sized saddle horse for a toddler! We laughed and made a big deal to our kids that nobody would ever do any of this.

It is a bit over the top to consider this a dangerous book. If you've ever read the stories made up by very young children, in fact, these are quite tame. They enjoy thinking about being in control and what wild things they could do if the grown-ups weren't around. It's not as if your kids are going to try balancing a cake in the air while standing on a ball or will try flying a kite indoors after reading "Cat in the Hat." Although the pictures are realistic, these books are in that league.

PS The art in these books is beautifully and lovingly done, almost love letters to dogs and young children. They are a pleasure to look at, regardless of your age.