The Christmas Mystery ($23.00; Nov. 1996; 256 pp.; 0-374- 12329-2): Intelligent Nativity story by Norwegian philosopher/novelist Gaarder (The Solitaire Mystery, p. 621, etc.), full of heart and warmth. As ever, Gaarder offers a didactic subtext. Joachim's father buys him a homemade, 40-year-old Advent calendar from a dusty bookstore. The calendar has a door to open for each December day leading up to Christ's birth. Behind each door lies a picture. But when Joachim first opens the calendar, a small slip of paper falls out containing a substory that goes on day by day as each door is opened and a fresh sheet appears. The substory tells of little Elisabet, who runs off in pursuit of a lamb only to find herself on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. Each day's episode adds a new pilgrim to her group, until there are wisemen, angels, shepherds, and sheep; two millennia of history unfold backward. In yet another story, a girl named Elisabet, who was kidnapped 40 years ago, turns up as a middle-aged woman on Christmas Eve, mingling the celebration of Christ's birth with a contemporary event. For adult children.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-374-12329-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1996
The commotion over preparations for Mama’s surprise birthday party form the basis for Quattlebaum’s latest, told from the point of view one of the daughters in the household. “To buy” and “to do” lists are quickly compiled with the help of two well-meaning aunts, slapdash Aunt CeeCee and nitpicking Aunt Belle, with nary a thought given to what could go wrong. In no time, little sister Flo is boo-hooing and younger brother Squeal nearly gives away the surprise. The father forgets the password, the cats tear into the presents, and the cake is still “bald as a stone” as the clock tick-ticks toward party time. Only a “take-charge kind of girl” can save the day, and the young narrator does precisely that. Mama’s surprise is no surprise to readers, but despite the anticipated event, it’s the prelude that counts. Snazzy Jazz-Age-inspired drawings are as full of fuss and frenzy as the party preliminaries themselves. Chesworth uses comic-book style panels to divulge action and dialogue balloons to deliver sharp humor. A whispered conversation not meant to be heard by Mama is cleverly rendered in silhouette. This is ideal for those who prefer the fixings over the fanfare of the festivities themselves. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: May 11, 1999
ISBN: 0-385-32275-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999
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BOOK REVIEW
PLB 0-06-027359-3 The timorous specter from this team’s The Teeny Tiny Ghost (1998) reappears for a thrilling, hair-raising adventure. Woefully faint- hearted, the teeny tiny ghost knows he must practice being brave and in the school yard he valiantly faces the intimidating playground slide. However, when he returns home to discover empty rocking chairs moving on their own, mysteriously billowing draperies, and rattling chains, the apprehensive apparition’s courage is tested. Winters’s suspenseful story lends itself to a rousing recital at story hours; the steadily building tension as the diminutive spirit searches the house will generate delightful shivers, while the prosaic climax, in which it is revealed that Cousin Brad is completing his “hide and haunt” homework, prevents the tale from becoming too frightening for a younger audience. Munsinger’s merry illustrations, overflowing with many humorous touches, contribute to this gleefully boisterous tale. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 31, 1999
ISBN: 0-06-027358-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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