The Christmas Humbugs Edition 1. (Individual Titles) [Hardcover]

Colleen and Michael Monroe (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Individual Titles

Christmas is coming but someone is playing tricks! Torn stockings and broken candy canes reveal that The Christmas Humbugs have arrived at this holiday home. But do not fear, lively rhymes and merry illustrations by Colleen and Michael Glenn Monroe lift spirits and let readers know that not even the Humbugs can dampen Christmas cheer. (20021230)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Illustrator Michael Glenn Monroe has called his Christmas Humbugs out of retirement--a fuzzy bunch of tiny pranksters that first appeared in Monroe's high school sketchbooks--to take part in a fun Christmastime caper, ably recounted by Monroe's storytelling wife, Colleen.

Each year, the Humbugs (who look sort of like furry green grapes with wings and red jelly-bean noses) search out "cheerful houses" in which to cause mischief. But the Humbugs "aren't trying to be nasty, in fact the opposite is true, they're testing Christmas spirit and how strong it is in you." The Humbugs flit around as they break candy canes, unravel stockings, sneak peeks at Christmas packages, and even eat Santa's cookies (although "drinking Santa's ice cold milk isn't as easy as you'd think, if the Humbugs are not careful they might fall into the drink").

It's not surprising that Michael Glenn Monroe has hung onto this story for so long, given how cleverly it explains away the many frustrations of the season--and his playful details, like the Humbugs' jingle-bell antennae and red and white striped socks, reveal a Christmas spirit obviously in good working order. Colleen Monroe stays right in step with her artist husband, making fun references to "humbug rodeos" and some serious but not too smarmy asides ("The Humbugs know true spirit isn't bothered by their tricks, the tiny pranks they play take just a little time to fix"). (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Review

"...humorous enough to keep even the grouchiest amoung us from saying 'bah, humbug!' this holiday season..."
-- Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA) (December 8, 2002) (UNKNOWN 20021215)

"Anyone whose holiday spirits need a lift will enjoy this book..."
-- News (Ann Arbor, MI) (December 30, 2002) (News (Ann Arbor, MI) 20021208)

"...The colorful artwork is outstanding in this 32-page picture book... each page generates a smile."
-- Standard (Aiken, SC) (December 15, 2002) (Standard (Aiken, SC) 20021208)

"...young children will love the mischievous humbugs, and their parents will appreciate the sentiments of the tale."
-- Chattanooga Times (December 8, 2002) (Chattanooga Times 20021208)

"...Monroe's vivid and whimsical artwork brings the little tricksters to life in technicolor glory..."
-- Vindicator (Youngstown, OH) (December 8, 2002) (Vindicator (Youngstown , OH) 20021201)

"...lively rhymes and merry illustrations lift spirits and let young readers know that even Humbugs can't dampen Christmas cheer..."
-- Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI) (December 8, 2002) (Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI) 20021201)

"...Children will enjoy the picture of humbugs bowling with glass ornaments and switching gift tags on neatly wrapped presents. It's mischief, but it's merry."
-- Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) (December 2002) (Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) )

"...The poetry makes The Christmas Humbugs a good read-out-loud book to beginning and non-readers."
-- Rochester Eccentric (December 2002) (Rochester Eccentric (Rochester, MI) )

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (December 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585361089
• ISBN-13: 978-1585361083
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Christmas Tale, November 22, 2002

By 

K. A. Hearne "Word Lover" (North Vernon, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Humbugs Edition 1. (Individual Titles) (Hardcover)

I bought this book at a writing seminar for teachers. It is a delightful Christmas story to share in your classroom or with your own children. The Humbugs are adorable little bug like creatures who try to test the strength of your Christmas spirit. It's about having Christmas spirit and how it can't be crushed because of the things it represents. It's a terrific and timeless tale!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel the Christmas Spirit, December 10, 2008

By 

Mom of 2 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Humbugs (Paperback)

This is one of our favorite Christmas books. The illustrations are nice and it reminds us that the spirit of Christmas is the important thing- not how many gifts are under the tree. There are "humbugs" all over testing the Christmas spirit in children and adults alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very cute!, November 13, 2005

By 

Anne-Marie Gilliland (Near D.C., USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Humbugs Edition 1. (Individual Titles) (Hardcover)

I thought this story was a brilliant idea. The illustrations are colorful and funny. I think the humbugs will capture children's imaginations. Younger children might be trying to stay awake to catch humbugs now, instead of just Santa Claus.

Only problem I had with the book was at times the rhyming of the narration was a bit forced and so in reading it I lost the tempo and thus a little enjoyment.