Lyle at Christmas

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4?This action-packed romp features, of course, the lovable crocodile who, as usual, saves the day?with much wackiness along the way. Mr. Grumps, a neighbor, is stricken with a severe case of holiday blues. To add to his gloom, his cat, Loretta, runs away, and Lyle and the Primm family must step in to save the holiday. In a funny, twisting turn-of-events story, Lyle ends up in jail, but is rescued and the misunderstanding cleared up. Loretta is returned, and the whole cast of characters gathers for Christmas Eve dinner. Lively, humorous watercolor-and-ink illustrations perfectly complement Waber's expressive text. Lyle at Christmas?or anytime?is pure joy.?LFCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Parents' Choice®
Another endearing adventure with everyone's favorite crocodile, Lyle's Christmas story features the usual idiosyncratic cast of characters and fast-paced, scene-shifting plot. Story and illustrations create an amiable portrait of city life at Christmastime, where coincidental circumstances turn strangers into friends. A 1999 Parents' Choice® Gold Award Winner. (Ann DeForest, Parents' Choice®).

From Booklist
Ages 5^-8. 'Tis the season to be jolly, but Lyle's neighbor, Mr. Grumps, is down in the dumps, instead. "I am having the blahs," he moans, and everybody obligingly tries to cheer him up--especially that lovable crocodile, Lyle. But nothing does the trick; nothing, it seems, can lift the man out of his sorry, sorry holiday blahs. But then his pet cat, Loretta, disappears, and Mr. Grumps finally has a good reason to be unhappy. Has Loretta gone for good? Will well-meaning Lyle get himself into a pickle trying to find her? Will there be reason for celebration on New York's East 88th Street? Lyle's legions of fans can guess the answers, but the croc is so darned--well, lovable, and Waber's pictures are so much fun to look at, that no one will want to miss this latest installment of the adventures of America's favorite reptile. Michael Cart

From Kirkus Reviews
Mr. Grumps's ``down-in-the-dumps'' approach to the Christmas holiday leads to the disappearance of Lyle's favorite feline friend in this reassuring tale about the love of family and friends. When Loretta, the cat, disappears, the Primm family at East 88th and Mr. Grumps know exactly what they want for Christmasher safe return. Prunella, the Cat Lady, takes Loretta in; an out-of-work actor, Hector, happens to know both the Primms and Prunella and provides the means (and requisite misunderstandings) to a happy resolution. Waber (Bearsie Bear and the Surprise Sleepover Party, 1997, etc.) demonstrates again an uncanny ability to convey a multitude of emotions in a few strokes, giving each character in the Primm household a distinct personality. Especially charming are the scenes of Lyle engaged in the household chores of washing dishes, making the beds, scrubbing, dusting, sweeping, and waxing. Fans of the big green crocodile will welcome this holiday adventure. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Christmas is an especially festive time for everyone"s favorite crocodile, Lyle. Lyle loves Bird and Loretta the cat, who live with Mr. Grumps. He loves East 88th Street, the house he shares with the Primms and his mother. Lyle"s only problem is that he can"t decide what he wants for Christmas. However, not everyone is filled with holiday cheer. Mr. Grumps has the holiday blahs—so much so that even his adored cat, Loretta, has had it with miserable Mr. Grumps. And then, just a few days before Christmas Loretta disappears and the entire neighborhood joins Mr. Grumps in the hunt for the lost cat. Will he be able to find Loretta before Christmas and restore the holiday cheer to East 88th Street?

Card catalog description
At Christmas time, Lyle the crocodile helps Mr. Grumps search for his missing cat Loretta.


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