Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 19, 1993 TAG: 9312190220
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: D-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Reviewed by PEGGY C. DAVIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This is another in the "Carl" series of adventures. Like the rest, it features adventure, bright pictures and a not-quite- real story that works. Words begin and end the book but the middle is left to the reader.
Carl is the embodiment of that big dog we all know and love. (The one I know is named Sasha, and for some reason Sasha thinks I'm a long-long Granny.) Carl loves children and takes responsibility when adults make foolish mistakes that result in children being left alone to their own devices. It may be that Carl can even read since the duties of the day get done once Carl checks the board at the day-care center. Children can get great comfort from knowing that Carl is there to care. This is one that even little folk can read alone or with help.
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Adapted for Theater. Illustrations by Stephen T. Johnson. Andrews and McMeel. $14.95.
This adaptation uses much of the original dialogue, but the work is for the stage. If done as a "read-aloud" so that the listeners can see the pictures, it should be very successful. The story is so popular and supposedly so well-known that any offering is apt to be a commercial success. However, if I were choosing an edition, I would look beyond this one.
The Christmas Wreath. By James Hoffman. Illustrated by Jack Stockma. School Zone. $12.95.
This is a charming story that includes a massive polar bear, Santa Claus, his elves and Mother Nature all at the North Pole. The pictures are bright, in intense colors of wonderful scenes that combine a Christmas fantasy and the realistic ideas we all have of the cold North Pole. Children of all ages should be able to enjoy this mixture of fantasy and reality. It uses the wonderful features of snow, water, ice, light, natural greens and a haunting animal - the polar bear. "The Christmas Wreath" should become a favorite for this year and years to come.
Peggy C. Davis reviews books regularly for this page.
by CNB