MERRY CHRISTMAS, GUS

Gus the dog doesn’t like anything about Christmas—but maybe it doesn’t have to be all about him.

Grumpy Gus makes it clear, with his severe unibrow and unsmiling snout, that he does not like Christmas. His small canine companion, identical to Gus except for size and cheerful expression, tries decorating him with Christmas lights and bringing him candy canes. Friends sing carols. They make snowdogs in the snow. None of this produces the slightest smile from Gus. When Gus shows just how much he dislikes Christmas, his small companion curls up by the fire alone. Then Gus has second thoughts. Perhaps Christmas isn’t just about his own dislikes. Perhaps he can do nice things for loved ones. He wraps gifts and redecorates, so when the smaller pup wakes in the morning, there are parts of Christmas to enjoy together. With these new experiences, Gus changes his mind about Christmas…though the gift he receives returns the frown to his brow. This simple story features straightforward text paired with clean illustrations and contrasting moods and personalities that make for a humorous reading experience for very young listeners and independent readers alike. Gus’ realization and the resultant turn of events offer satisfying social-emotional layers that point at the true meanings of holidays, relationships, and giving. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A great read for any season.