Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner? ANNOTATION
A houseful of relatives turns "Mrs. C." and Santa's Christmas into a string of surprises, from the arrival of a pet polar bear to Cousin James B.'s flaming plum pudding.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family overfor Christmas dinner. There's Uncle Alfred the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, and from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant to the meal itself, it's a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time—even the frazzled hosts!
With its brightly colored illustrations, a playful speech-bubble narrative, and a story bursting with humor and seasonal cheer, Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
The table's set for family fun with all the fixings-and fussing-that come with holiday gatherings when Santa decides to invite all his relatives to Christmas dinner. A surprised but supportive Mrs. C. gets things in order while "Nick" delivers toys. Soon the house guests include a few whiny nieces and nephews, a diva sister and a kleptomaniac Cousin Ulla. Everyone's offers of "help," and an unexpected polar bear guest keep the raucous repast rolling. DePaola's (Strega Nona) successful recipe of humor, family wamth and universal situations works to delicious effect. Comical talk balloons and Cousin Ulla's swiping of Claus goods on each spread add a dash of holiday hilarity. Ages 4-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen
It is good to know that Santa's family is as messy as most people's. Santa gets the hare-brained idea to invite the whole gang plus an old friend over for a Christmas dinner, despite Mrs. Claus' concern that it might not be the best plan. Whiny nephews and nieces (they did not get what they wanted for Christmas, and at least get to whine to the actual source), butt-inski aunts and uncles who tell Mrs. Claus how to cook, and drama queens who consider the family the perfect stage are all familiar characters to most readers. And do not forget old friend Lars, who insists on bringing his pet along, in this case an enormous polar bear! The chaos is lovingly depicted in dePaola's trademark, colorful illustrations. Everyone agrees it was a great Christmas after all, but you cannot blame the Clauses for hanging out a "Do Not Disturb" sign at the end. 2004, G. P. Putnam/Penguin, Ages 3 to 8.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-When Santa invites his family and his friend Lars for Christmas dinner, things get a little raucous. Children will find funny details to appreciate in dePaola's signature drawings-executed here in a red and green palette-and lively narrative, with dialogue-balloon asides. The result is a fun celebration complete with Lars's pet polar bear and a flaming plum pudding.-V. W. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Santa Claus invites his entire extended family to Christmas dinner in this longer story, told partially through text and partially through speech balloons in the illustration panels. The large cast of characters, introduced through family photo album pages, includes Santa's aunt, cousins, and his brother and two sisters and their families, and an old friend. All the problems of a big family get-together arrive in sequence: cranky kids, a bossy cook, an unexpected guest, and a definitely uninvited pet: a polar bear. The actual dinner is an admitted mess, with the polar bear crashing onto the table and stealing the turkey. While some of the family troubles are laughable, others aren't very funny, and some problems will be amusing only to adults who understand the particular issue or cooking problem. DePaola's characters are as roly-poly and humorous as always, however, and his legions of fans will love Santa's big family, warts and all. (Picture book. 4-7)
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