Customer Reviews

Carl's Christmas

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Overhearing a man at the bookstore ask for a "baby's first Christmas" book, this one leapt to mind. It's an enjoyable tale about a family dog keeping watch over the baby at Christmas time. They leave the house on their own and journey through the snow-swept streets of town enjoying a variety of Christmas scenes sure to warm the heart.

There is almost no dialogue in the book, which allows parents to narrate the story at the language level of their child. Children, too, would be able to pick up the book and follow the story simply through the beautiful illustrations. Carl being left to babysit may bother some readers, but I accepted the premise as fantasy and was captivated by the colorful, touching images of Christmas as experienced by Carl and his young charge.

This was one of my daughter's favorite first books (she is now 5 years old). Carl is an endearing character that will make a dog lover out of any child. The fun of the book is that there are no words, so the story is whatever you make of it, which makes for some great discussions. In the "story" Mom and dad leave Carl to babysit the baby. It is set at Christmas complete with snow & Christmas tree. My daughter still enjoys it because using the imagination is fun at any age.

Alexandra Day does such a fine job with Carl and the little babies in her books. Carl's Christmas is the cutest book she's published. I own a Rottweiler and have a 3 month old so it really hits home reading about Carl's adventures. All of Ms. Day's books are just great and open the imagination of all readers!

The pictures in the book are brilliant! Carl has all those real expressions we rott owners know so well. He is everything the breed is. The pictures are perfect though and that makes the whole book. Miss Day is very talented in my opinion.

My daughter (age 7) checked it out of her school library to "read" it to her baby brother (age 2). It was great to see them bonding by sharing a book. Both are aware that it is just a silly story and not "real". They enjoyed it so much and several times in the week that she had it at home that I decided to buy it for them for Christmas. It will be something they can share with each other that both enjoy....and because they are so far apart in age it is wonderful to have something they both like.

Any child will enjoy this delightful book. Parents will enjoy "reading" it to their children. Most children understand the difference between reality and a work of fiction. And if they don't then it's the parents' responsibility to teach this concept to their children.

I discovered Carl about 21 years ago when I had my 4th child at the age of 40. My son loved the books then and even NOW. He is a Marine and came to visit us at CHRISTmas. I ordered Carl's Christmas for my 5 grandchildren and my son loved to reunite w/ the story as we told it to the babies.
I have collected all the Carl books and keep them in a special place where my 5 children can see them for themselves and their children.
Carl's Christmas is a simple and lovely story. A perfect fantasy for the season. The colors throughout the book are beautiful drawing you into each scene.
I would recomend this lovely book for children and adults who still have the dream of a dog being your best friend!

These are my favorite books for my grandkids. It allows them to come up with the story and it is different everytime. The pictures are so fun and lively. This author is truely amazing.