Rover Saves Christmas [Turtleback]

Roddy Doyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Christmas is under threat! Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer only works one night a year-but, unfortunately, he's chosen Christmas Eve to take a sickie. When your star sleigh-puller is stable-ridden with the flu, what do you do? You call Rover...Join Rover, Robbie, Jimmy and Kayla, and all the other stars of the Giggler Treatment for a fantastic race against time...as Santa embarks on a sleigh-ride he'll never forget...

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Although most grownups know Roddy Doyle better from his Barrytown comic novels (including The Commitments), he's thankfully returned for a children's book follow-up to his ridiculously ridiculous The Giggler Treatment. What's the cast of kids from that nimble-witted book leaving on the mantel for Santa? One of their mother's cans of Guinness. Oh, and 27 cheese sandwiches (minus the crusts).

Doyle's decidedly Irish, self-referential silliness gets a workout on Christmas Eve as Robbie and Jimmy Mack find themselves "very bored and very excited" waiting for Christmas Day. They leave a carrot on the mantel, too, for Rudolph, but soon discover that the red-nosed reindeer's on strike. ("Look, man, next year, maybe," Rudolph tells Santa. "It's a mid-life thing. I need a rest.") So it's soon up to Rover, the smartest dog around, to save the day and lead Santa's sleigh. How smart is Rover? He's got "a brain the size of Africa tucked into a head the size of a baked potato." And like all dogs, Rover "pooed, yes, but then he sold his poo.... The fact is very few dogs are brainy enough to sell their poo."

Few holiday trips could possibly promise to be this fun and funny. In addition to throwaway references to poo and wee, Harry Potter, and "diet water," Doyle often talks straight to the reader ("Chapter Six--The Teenage Years: I don't want to be Chapter Six. I never asked to be Chapter Six.... You don't understand my music"). Captain Underpants fans and like-minded kids (and grownups) will appreciate such respect for their intelligence--and their sense of humor. (Ages 8 and older) --Paul Hughes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The cast of The Giggler Treatment makes a return engagement for the holidays in this invitingly loopy escapade. Rudolph languishes with the flu and Santa appeals to canine Rover and his young owners to take over for the evening. Doyle addresses readers directly on numerous occasions, and if the fun feels a little frenetically self-conscious at times, it's still enormously entertaining. Ajhar's frisky drawings add to the mayhem. Ages 8-12.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606292209
• ISBN-13: 978-0606292207
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Roddy Doyle is the author of eight novels, a collection of stories, and Rory & Ita, a memoir of his parents. He won the Booker Prize in 1993 for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. He lives and works in Dublin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Move over Grinch..here comes Rover, November 8, 2001

By 

Metta Bear "one who appreciates value.." (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rover Saves Christmas (Hardcover)

Roddy Doyle has indeed done it again. This book ( a sequel to The Giggler Treatment) has all of the traits that made the original a must read book, wit, intelligence and a great sense of fun.

Rover is not your basic 'dog next door' and neither is the book. As you might expect, Rudolph has decided not to guide Santa's sleigh on Xmas Eve and it is up to Rover to make sure that all the good kids in the world get their toys.

If anyone has read "The Giggler Treatment" to know what to expect. A fun romp where the reader (from 8 to 80) never knows quite what is going to happen next, but that the gifts will arrive on time.

Unlike some authors Roddy Doyle does not insult his reader, while giving them an exciting and playful story.

Read the Giggler Treatment to your class first if you are a teacher like I am , and then expect your class to want this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Rover, November 30, 2001

By 

Emilia Palaveeva "ema-in-seattle" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rover Saves Christmas (Hardcover)

THis book is FUNNY. I spotted it in the children's section in our bookstore and decided that it is somethign worth getting for my son (a couple of years will pass before he is old enough for ths, but as an ambitious mother I have already started building a library--I kow it is silly, but it is amazing how many really good children's books are rarely reprinted)

I read it and was laughing out loud. It is a simple story--Rudolph goes on strike and Santa needs to use Rover, the dog. The short chapters are hilarious, and the illustrations are beautiful. Some situations are absurd, and this absurdity is reinforced by the way the novel is structured (with recurring chapters and ads).

Doyle has a great, multi-layered sense of humor, that borh children and adults will enjoy. He reminded me a lot of Terry Pratchett.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book, January 9, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Rover Saves Christmas (Hardcover)

This is a great book. It is so, so funny. It is a great Christmas book. I love the author, he writes really funny and entertaining books. I think it was as good as "The Giggler Treatment." I can't wait for his next book for kids.
Ethan Young age 7