Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? [Hardcover]

Jan Brett (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

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

Every year, trolls knock down Kyri's door and gobble up her Christmas feast. But this year, the trolls are in for a surprise: a boy and his pet ice bear on their way to Oslo have come in from the cold. And once the ice bear is finished with the trolls, you can bet they won't come knocking next Christmas Eve!

Once again, Jan Brett creates an original Christmas story full of warmth and magic. Featuring beautiful borders, intricate illustrations, and a stunning display of the Northern Lights, Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? will rightfully take its place among Jan's Christmas favorites with the whole family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Knock knock. Who's there? More trolls to add to Brett's (Christmas Trolls; Trouble with Trolls) canon. Apparently, the trouble with trolls is that they're always making trouble. Luckily, they never get any smarter. In this Arctic story, a shy Finnmark girl fends off lurking trolls with help from a traveling boy and his pet polar bear. An icy landscape shimmers under the northern lights while bright Scandinavian frocks and household items give the scenery a kicky dash of color. Brett simultaneously reveals another angle of her tale via intricately designed side panels that frame the main event. The lifelike polar bear, both hulking and docile, is a scene-stealer. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-In this story based on a traditional Norwegian folktale, a boy traveling from Finnmark to Oslo with his pet polar bear stops by Kyri's hut on Christmas Eve. The guests help to frighten away the trolls who come to wreak havoc and steal all of the holiday treats. The pleasure here lies mostly in the lush, richly textured illustrations, with Brett's distinctive borders that incorporate Norwegian folk motifs and trolls romping through skies lit by the Northern lights. Scenery aside, the children are rather one-dimensional, but the bear is handsome and heroic and the trolls satisfyingly ugly and naughty.-V. W.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399238735
• ISBN-13: 978-0399238734
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Norse

More About the Author

Jan Brett is the author of the New York Times bestselling Gingerbread Friends, The Three Snow Bears, and The Mitten, as well as many other classics. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift from Jan Brett before Christmas Eve!, October 18, 2002

By 

Jeff Renner (Sammamish, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? (Hardcover)

Jan Brett has again combined a charming story with delightful characters and her usual stunning artwork. Each page is a visual treat; casual readers will miss the subtle clues and detail skilfully blended into the borders. The story invites lingering on each and every page. Although the story is aimed at children aged 4 through 8...readers of all ages will love this treasure. It adds Brett's usual magic to story time...and for readers without children of that age-buy it...you'll enjoy it yourself!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing illustrations, weak story., October 15, 2003

By 

Just Another Opinion (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? (Hardcover)

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and amazing. Unfortunately, this book isn't merely a picture book. It is also a story book, and the story doesn't have a lot to it. Essentially, a boy with a polar bear comes to a girl's house in the snow, and his bear scares away the trolls that steal Christmas supper. No part of the story is very well developed, and it really is kind of boring. At least I think it is, as do the kids in my life. However, the illustrations are magical. So, what to do? Check it out at the library. Not worth a purchase.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations, Dissappointing Story, December 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? (Hardcover)

This book looked so beautiful I just had to get it. While the illustrations are well worth it, the story lacks everything. It starts off seeming to be a great adventure and then sorely dissappoints the reader. On two pages, the little girl Kyri wonders how her food tastes "Is the sausage salty enough? I wonder if the porridge is creamy enough?" Who cares? We want an adventure with the polar bear as it seems to indicate on the cover. The only section in the book that really involves the beautiful polar bear on the cover is when the trolls burn the polar bear's nose and he roars after them. Aside from that, it's a rather dull story. If you want to have the beautiful illustrations, I recommend it, if you thought the story would be fun and exciting - don't bother - check it out at your local library instead.