Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies [Hardcover]

Claudia Mills (Author), Catherine Stock (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Gus and Grandpa

When Gus goes to Grandpa's house to bake Christmas cookies, they discover that they don't have any sprinkles. On the way to the store, they pass a Santa collecting money for the poor. Gus contributes two quarters and is rewarded with a "God bless you." Returning home, Gus and Grandpa are visited by three neighbors, each bringing two dozen cookies. What are they to do with so many cookies? Gus knows! Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2. A warm story that's true to the holiday spirit. Gus and Grandpa enjoy baking cookies together for Christmas. They love to yell at the dough when it sticks, eat it raw from the bowl, and cut out holiday shapes with their cookie cutters. While shopping for ingredients, they see a man in a Santa suit ringing a bell, and Grandpa explains to Gus that he is collecting money for poor children. Gus puts his two quarters in the kettle, and they return home. After three neighbors stop by, each with two dozen cookies for Grandpa, the two bakers suddenly have too many goodies, and Gus asks if the same children who needed his quarters could use the extra cookies. Off they go to take them to the Santa with the kettle, who offers to take them to the Christmas party at the homeless shelter. The sentences in this beginning reader may be simple, but they say a great deal, e.g., "Gus felt warm inside, even though it was still snowing." The watercolor illustrations effectively portray a kindly, slightly stooped, but spry Grandpa and an eager little Gus, a perfect team whether they are baking cookies, standing outside surrounded by soft white snow, or just thinking together.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"In this gently humorous chapter book, a boy and his cookie-baking grandfather are inundated with holiday goodies from neighbors-and discover a way to share with homeless kids. The expressive watercolors are a lovely accompaniment to the simple, lyrical text."-The Washington Post

"Gus and Grandpa make Christmas cookies for themselves, but several neighbor ladies don't realize that men can bake, too, and bombard the duo with cookies. What to do with all the dozens of baked goods? Gus, who has experienced the joy of giving when he contributes to a street-corner Santa's coffers, comes up with the idea of donating the cookies to children less fortunate than himself." - Booklist

"A warm story that's true to the holiday spirit...The sentences in this beginning reader may be simple, but they say a great deal...The watercolor illustrations effectively portray a kindly, slightly stooped, but spry Grandpa and an eager little Gus, a perfect team." - School Library Journal

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux; 1st edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374328234
• ISBN-13: 978-0374328238
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,563,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Story for Anyone at Anytime, April 3, 2010

By 

Julie Belle (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies (Paperback)

Oh, if only everyone could have a grandpa like Gus...
I was originally drawn to this book while searching for books for my son (there aren't alot out there for little men, anymore). That it was a Christmas book was a wonderful plus... but as we read and re-read this, we always take away so much more. Our older daughters would come and sit down to listen to this very sweet, little re-aloud and we would come up with ideas on how we could contribute - not only at Christmas, but year around!
We still read this wonderful little book (always followed by baking some delicious sugar cookies) even though our children are much older. They "pile" up around me as we have wonderful, warm memories of when they fit in my lap and we are inspired all over again to help others!
On a purely superficial note: The watercolor illustrations are as beautiful and heartwarming as the story itself.
Many Blessings,
Julie