Patrick Jennings

Claudine wasn't very impressed with Santa Claus. He spied on people, judged whether they were naughty or nice, and broke into their homes (even if it was to deliver presents). Determined to keep him out this year, she determines to be naughty, in order to get on his bad side. Unfortunately for her, she's an essentially good child, and a few naughty tricks can't fool Santa...

Author Patrick Jennings takes an unconventional approach to the Santa story in Naughty Claudine's Christmas, spinning a show more holiday tale that fearful and/or sensitive young children, worried about incursions by strangers in the home, might find very relatable. The accompanying artwork by Suzanne Kaufman is colorful and appealing, capturing the sweetness and sense of humor in Jennings' story. Recommended to anyone looking for new Christmas picture-books, especially those that address Santa's visit. show less

I picked this ARC up at ALA on the strength of the adorable cover and the clever title. I knew I was in good hands about 30 or so pages in, when I realized that I wanted to grab Zaritza and give her a good shake. Jennings has created an entirely believable 11-year-old drama queen who just walks right off the page, and one who I really didn't like at all for much of the book. I warmed up to her plenty by the end.

Zaritza has a complicated life- a little baby sister, a cranky mom, an over the show more top dad and math homework. Lots of math homework. So much math homework that she's in danger of being kept out of the fifth grade play unless she gets it turned in. She's entirely self-centered and scheming, full of herself and full of drama in equal measure. How she learns that other people (and ferrets) might be something other than her supporting cast.

Nicely drawn characterizations, involving plot and lots of laughs. Recommended for your favorite fifth-grader. show less

I really wanted to like this one. It's about a guinea pig! And Fuse #8 really, really liked it (unfortunately, I can't find her review because of the blog switch, but it's probably on Amazon).

But I didn't like it. Mainly because I couldn't stand his parents. His dad is an obsessed control freak and we're expected to feel sorry for him because he's having trouble dealing with being a housedad and having to do housework. Excuse me? His mom has apparently been working as a paint mixer for 20 show more years, so who was doing the housework before his dad came home? AND working a full-time job? But I don't like his mom any better. She's either incredibly manipulative or extremely stupid. The guinea pig acting like a dog was kind of cute, his friends were interesting, and the main character was ok, but I just couldn't stand the parents. I don't have a problem with weird or unpleasant parents, but it drove me nuts to have them presented as ok and normal. Grr.

At least that's how I felt about it. Someone else might get a different feel from the story and think the parents were cute.

Verdict: I couldn't stand it, but will probably get it eventually for my private collection of guinea pig books, just because I am an obsessive collector.

ISBN: 978-1606840535; Published April 2010 by Egmont; Borrowed from the library; Added to my personal wishlist show less

Woodrow is the class outcast until Toulouse shows up as the new kid. Toulouse is very short, wears a suit, and totes a briefcase. Woodrow is drawn to Toulouse in a protective sort of way because he knows what it's like to be picked on. As their friendship warms, Woodrow finds the confidence he needs to stand up against the bullies picking on Toulouse. A warm story about bullying that acknowledges classroom dynamics and doesn't get preachy. I can see this as a good book discussion in show more elementary school. show less