| Title | : | Oh, What a Christmas! |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 054524210X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780545242103 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 32 |
| Publication | : | First published September 1, 2011 |
Oh, What a Christmas! Reviews
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I’m not that crazy about the graphics, but this was a cute book. It’s also a new little idea and twist on an old idea. Santa is up in his sleigh and the reins break (how since it’s magic, I don’t know, but go with it). His sleigh crashes into a barn and the reindeer are gone.
Santa hitches up the sleigh to all the animals in the barn: pigs, sheep, goats, horses, cows and dogs and off they go with some Christmas magic. It’s funny to see the animals up in the sky. The kids thought this was the funniest thing. The nephew gave it 5 stars he laughed so much. The niece gave it 4 stars.
I like at the end that the animals get presents and the cow is given a pair of red high heel pumps. Very funny. It’s a cute story. -
When the harness keeping his reindeer attached to his sleigh breaks one Christmas Eve night, Santa comes tumbling down from the skies, crash-landing next to a barn. The sleepy barnyard animals come out to investigate, and the Christmas gift-giver has an idea: why not use these diverse creatures to pull the sleigh this year? What a Christmas that would be!
Pairing an amusing story idea with cute, colorful artwork, Oh, What a Christmas! makes for an engaging holiday picture-book. I don't think it will become one of my own Christmas favorites - I doubt I will ever pick it up again, quite honestly - but it is quite sweet, and the illustrations, although a little flat, do have some charm. I don't know that I strongly recommend this one, but if you are in the market for new retellings of Santa's Christmas Eve journey, you might want to give it a try. -
Christmas Eve is here! Santa’s sled is loaded with goodies and gifts for children around the world, but when the reins connecting his flying reindeer snap Santa is going to need some extra help. Fortunately for Santa he lands in a barn full of animals ready for a Christmas adventure in the skies! Before you know it the presents are delivered and there’s a special surprise for Santa’s newest helpers.
This is purely a fun enjoyable Christmas read for little ones and those reading it to them. Both Littlebug and Turkeybird spend most of the book in fits of giggles as they watch the weary barn animals fly through the air helping Santa. Even though we don’t stress Santa much in our home they do know that he certainly shouldn’t be being helped by barn animals, but his reindeer. What we try to stress is that it’s important to help however we can when someone is in need, which is just what the barn animals do no matter how confused they may be about accomplishing the task at hand.
This new take on the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas is incredibly delightful. Michael Garland applies his characteristic gorgeous illustrations to a fun adventure with Santa and an entire cast of weary but helpful barn animals. Oh, What A Christmas! is a picture book we’ll continue to read each and every Christmas season as we strive to bring laughter and a spirit of giving to our home.
Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my site,
There's A Book. -
It's Christmas Eve, and Santa's harness is a little too worn out--it snaps, sending the reindeer one way and the sleigh another. Having landed in a barnyard, Santa decides to hitch the farm animals to his sleigh and make his annual deliveries with them as substitute reindeer.
Although there is plenty of imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia to keep things moving, the story lacks creativity. The problematic possibilities of cows, pigs, sheep, a goat, a horse, and a dog pulling Santa's sleigh are glossed over and everything goes exactly as originally planned once the new "team" is harnessed and readied.
Children may still enjoy the benign story and the computer-generated illustrations. -
Read by: Mary
Author/Illustrator: Michael Garland
Genre: Fantasy
Interest Level: K-2
Grade level Equivalent: 2.5
Lexile Measure®: 620L
This story is about Santa Claus on the night of Christmas and how harness breaks from the reindeer and he crashes. He crashes into a barn and sees all the barnyard animals. He ensues their help, and they become his new team. They travel all around the world delivering all the presents. This is a good read aloud and the pictures bring the reader in. This story teaches that even when problems arise, to never give up. -
The harness on Santa's sleigh breaks and his reindeer continue to fly while Santa and his sleigh plummet to Earth. Luckily they land in a field near a barn. Santa convinces the farm animals to fly his sleigh and off they go to continue the special night. A cute concept, but I am not a fan of digital illustration and did not really care for the pictures. The text was not strong enough to make it a favorite either, but it was worth reading once.
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A group of barnyard animals become the heroes on Christmas Eve when Santa’s sleigh becomes separated from his reindeer mid flight. On Santa’s big night, he finds himself stranded in the middle of nowhere and needs help. The vibrant illustrations are really fun, making this a nice book to share with young readers during the holiday season. This book would be a good way to have a classroom discussion about problem solving in stories.
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What a fun ride. I love books that reimagine Santa delivering Christmas presents and little kids do too. The pictures are lovely and include the little details children love; like the expressions on the animals faces and watch out for the sleepy dog. A great book to get children involved in the sounds of the sleigh and the animals.
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I loved this book! The children think it is hilarious that Santa has to hook farm animals up to his sleigh after the reindeer get loose. For added fun I had Santa at one of my storytimes and he told the kids that this has happened to him in Africa. Prancer and Vixen got away and flew home and he had to hook up two antelopes to his sleigh. Cute story.
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An interesting tale about a Christmas Eve like no other. Santa and the reindeer get separated and after a crash, Santa and some barn animals have an adventure to last. The illustrations are breathtaking - so vibrant and real. It is a fun story that children will laugh at and want to read over.
Read the review on my blog
Book Reviews and More. -
Fiction; Juvenile/Christmas
4 stars
We try to pick up a few new books every year to add to our Christmas book collection and this is definitely one to consider. The cute story and adorable images blend together flawlessly to create this great little book. My daughter and I really liked this one a lot. -
This is the cute tale of Santa and his unlikely cast of characters, the farm animals. After the harness to his sleigh breaks and the reindeer take off, Santa crashes into a barn and has the dilemma of delivering the rest of those presents all over the world. This story is one that my elementary students really enjoy.
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This is such a cute book! It's a fun read for any kid. Younger ones can count animals, identify them, make their noises, and be eager for Christmas within its pages. Older kids will see the parody of another more familiar Christmas story, and enjoying reading it a different and fresh new way! Great family read!
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An okay alternative Christmas tale, mostly appealing to children who are fans of Michael Garland's previous books. The artwork is the standout star, with beautiful depictions of barnyard animals that sub in for the wayward reindeer. For readers of Christmas picture books.
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Oh, What a Christmas! is a fun book that will have the little ones giggling. Santa and the reindeer come apart as they are flying on Christmas Eve, and Santa ends up crash landing just outside of a barn. The farm animals offer to help him out. Cute story and great pictures.
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Oh, there are plenty of good things about this book but the fact is it is boring. While the illustrations are wonderful, the use of vocabulary is great, the story is one dimensional and without sufficient depth to entertain any but the littlest children.
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The art work is vibrant and adorable. The story is cute as well! We thoroughly enjoyed this new tale and was surprised I haven't read anything like this before.
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Gorgeous illustrations, so-so story.
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This would make a great read-a-loud Christmas story. 3.5/5 Stars
AR 2.8 -
Awesome story. Santa has a great solution to a real problem!
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FUN Christmas story with great illustrations! My kids thought really liked it.
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Nice story, bad art
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Cute and silly but in the end not really a must have for the season. The illustrations are ok but have that computer made appearance and I really prefer hand drawn art.
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Tooooooo Cute!
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I loved the illustrations and the author used plenty of action words (thud, stomp, thwack) to keep kids entertained and engaged with the story.
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cute story
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Love the illustrations
