Petunia's Christmas [Hardcover]

Roger Duvoisin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

While taking a walk in the snow, the pet goose Petunia meets Charles, a most charming and handsome gander. Handsome, yes–and hefty, because poor Charles is being fattened for Christmas dinner by the farmer next door. Will the gander of Petunia’s dreams be served up roasted, with applesauce on the side?

Petunia’s determination to save Charles, even if it means posing as Santa Claus, results in “one of the simplest, funniest, and most original of Christmas stories,” wrote the Chicago Tribune when this book was originally published in 1952. A yuletide classic by a Caldecott Medal winner, Petunia’s Christmas is still making children laugh as it shows the true spirit of Christmas.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Petunia the irrepressible goose employs all of her wiles to prevent a handsome gander from being served up as the Christmas entree at Windy Farm. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

While taking a walk in the snow, the pet goose Petunia meets Charles, a most charming and handsome gander. Handsome, yes–and hefty, because poor Charles is being fattened for Christmas dinner by the farmer next door. Will the gander of Petunia's dreams be served up roasted, with applesauce on the side?

Petunia's determination to save Charles, even if it means posing as Santa Claus, results in "one of the simplest, funniest, and most original of Christmas stories," wrote the Chicago Tribune when this book was originally published in 1952. A yuletide classic by a Caldecott Medal winner, Petunia's Christmas is still making children laugh as it shows the true spirit of Christmas.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394808681
• ISBN-13: 978-0394808680
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,193,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Time favorite, July 8, 2003

By 

"wahlta" (Urbana, IL USA) - See all my reviews

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

I loved this Christmas story as a little girl! I have read and reread it over the years. Now as a teacher for almost 20 years I get to share it with my class each year as my favorite story. It encourages them to think of others during this busy season. It is a beautiful and fun lesson about loving and what you can do for others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky and Gorgeous, old fashioned but not out of date, June 13, 2006

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

The Petunia books are among my favourites from my childhood and are still enormously appealing to children. This story was originally published in 1960 and while elements might not appeal to some people now, it is in fact subversively a wonderful tale.

Petunia is goose who lives at Pumpkin farm. During a walk in the snow one day she comes across another goose called Charles at Windy Farm, he is being fattened up for Christmas dinner. Petunia is a pet so is not being fattened up - however she falls in love with Charles and vows to help him escape.

First she dresses up by painting herself as a terrible dragon. It works, but only briefly. Charles is led back to the farm - he is 20 pounds in weight and worth 75c a pound So then Petunia hatches a new plan, collecting pine to make christmas decorations and selling them, then she makes other decorations.

When she has enough money she rushes to the farm to buy his freedom. The farmer and his wife are so taken with her devotion that they give her Charles and her money back. She and Charles have a marvellous christmas party with all the animals (and Mr and Mrs Pumpkin) and live happily ever after with all their goslings

I am sure you can see the appeal. There are some gender roles in this with the farmer and his wife, but then there is Petunia who is tenacious, clever and completely out of stereotypical-female-role. She is a great role model as she peseveres until she finds the solution.

The drawings are in the sketchy style of the period with many as line drawings and some coloured. They are very appealing but sometimes I think I prefer the rich lush characters in other books. Petunia is a lovely quirky character to look at and to read about.

There are other Petunia books and I would highly recommend those as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Petunia'a Christmas - book, February 12, 2010

By 

Dag (Ca) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Great "feel-good" Christmas story for kids - can do Christmas activities with it - at home or in the classroom. Very colorful pages. An old favorite:)