It's Christmas, David!

October 18, 2010
The beloved, boisterous, shark-toothed star of Shannon's No, David! and other books is sooo ready for Christmas. But as is his wont, David lets his enthusiasm run wild, earning him reprimands from his offstage mother. He can't resist snooping for gifts ("No peeking!") or sneaking cookies ("No snitching!"), and a "Sorry, you were naughty," letter from Santa suggests the worst case scenario. Worry not: Shannon's having just as much fun as David is, and his mixed-media art and
kinetic kid's-eye-view pull readers in for a happy Christmas morning. Ages 3–7.

September 1, 2010

Wild-child David returns for his fourth full-length romp as he tears through the Christmas season at his usual breakneck pace. The title page shows a full-length view of Santa from beard to boots, establishing him as another authoritative adult, along with David's mom. Her cautionary commands are heard from off-stage throughout, reminding her son that Santa is watching as David attempts all the usual pre-Christmas tricks as well as more creative capers. Shannon's irresistible illustrations show David's emotions careening from hope to anticipation to sadness to joy, with a masterful use of perspective keeping the reader on the same emotional level with the little boy. The touching final page shows David clutching his new fire truck and a note from Santa, with Mom's protective arm around him as always. (Picture book. 2-6)

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October 1, 2010

PreS-Gr 1-Christmas gives more opportunities to admonish the irrepressible David in this familiar story that nonetheless feels fresh with the added holiday trappings. Temptations abound as the beloved rascal attempts to track down hidden presents, snitches cookies, presents his lengthy wish list to Santa, and stays up late with his face pressed up against the window on Christmas Eve. Cheekier moments include a recurring scene from the first book of David heading for the horizon clad only in a winter hat, mittens, and boots, and his name written in telltale yellow letters in the snow. Emotions are easily conveyed, from David's hyper anticipation, to his very real fear that maybe his behavior makes him unworthy of Santa's attention, to the comforting and blissful endpage.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2010
Preschool-G Christmas comes to the David series in the form of new temptations for this lovable wild child. But the pleasures of trying to peek at presents and snitch cookies are tempered by the discomfort of a formal holiday dinner and the nightmarish fear of receiving a lump of coal from Santa. The pithy text is hilariously illustrated in dramatically composed, richly colorful illustrations. Echoing No, David! (1998), Shannon even re-creates the memorable summer scene of naked David leaping joyfully down the sidewalk, this time comically clad in just boots, mittens, and a knitted cap. An unusually funny read-aloud for Christmas.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)