| Title | : | Arthur's Christmas (Arthur Adventure Series) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0316111805 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780316111805 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 31 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1984 |
Arthur's Christmas (Arthur Adventure Series) Reviews
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I love the artwork of this book. It’s not as bright and glossy as the later ones, but it’s so beautiful and it reminds me of being a kid.
I have never heard of this, but Arthur is trying to figure out what to give Santa for Christmas. I never even thought of doing something like that. I was pretty selfish as a kid and I was all about me, me, me. I did enjoy giving gifts too.
DW, Arthur’s sister really rocks in this story. I do love the ending. Arthur tries to cook in this story and he needs to do some more study in the culinary arts, but his gift did come from the heart.
I get why Arthur is so popular. This was a great book and it’s making me a bit of an Arthur fan. My niece enjoyed this book and gave it 3 stars. She figured out right away what DW did at the end. My nephew thought the story was ok. He wasn’t excited to think of giving Santa a present. He gave this 3 stars. See the difference there. My niece thought it was decent and that’s her 3 stars and my nephew thought it was only ok, not an excited voice there and that’s his 3 stars. They mean different things to those 2. My niece grades really tough and she loves doling out 1 and 2s with glee. The nephew doesn’t really care so much right now. Interesting right? -
This is a good book, from one of my all-time favorite picture book illustrators.
Marc Brown always seems to do such an excellent job of pairing deep, beautiful (and simultaneously homey and comforting) illustrations with stories that make one laugh and become surprisingly involved in what's happening. Arthur's adventures had me 100% hooked from the very first day that my first-grade teacher read me my first one, and I've been a fan ever since. This story of Arthur's Christmas, as he tries to figure out what he might be able to get Santa Claus himself for the holiday, is as entertaining and funny as I have come to expect from the series. It teached me the spirit of Christmas! :-) -
1) Book Summary: Arthur's has this impression of what Christmas should be but soon as Christmas approaches Arthur's realize it's not going planned the way he wanted it to. It took till the end of the day for Arthur to realize as long as you're around your family that's all you need.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile: Grade level is preschool to 3rd, the interest level 4-8 years old, and the lexile is 530l.
3)Appropriate classroom use (subject area): during language art mostly during our themes week
4)Individual students who might benefit from reading: Majority each child loves Christmas well depends on their religious background. It is a cool book to read and enjoy.
5)Small group use (literary circles): I wouldn't use this a small group because I don't want to leave anyone out the group just because of family's belief system.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) : I wouldn't use this as a whole class read aloud as well for the same reason for the small group use.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area: Arthur's Thanksgiving, and Arthur's Halloween
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available: Kindle, Library Binding, Paperback, Mass Market Paperback -
The start to the story was so cute, with the brother/sister bickering. D.W. said “For heaven’s sake!” The store was full of presents and for him to just pick one. Arthur held a box for a hot water bottle, saying “It had to be just right. I want Santa to like it.” They both had on red boots and they were adorable.
It showed the difference between sweet Arthur wanting a thoughtful gift for Santa and D.W. who wanted to hurry up and get home to see what their grandma got her. When they got home she added 10 more things to her Christmas list. Arthur was so cute as he hugged his grandma; he had on red sneakers and one foot was lifted. D.W. asked her grandma if she had a present for her, while Arthur asked if she thought Santa would like mittens or gloves.
The pages in the house were really cute. I liked all of the colors. There was a lot of greenery. Arthur, D.W. and their grandma were in the living room, where there was a green and burgundy zig-zag patterned rug, a light green couch with big dark green polka dots and a big fern behind it, a green chest for the TV to sit on, green walls, a green dotted picture frame with a grassy scene, houses and ships on the water, and a green branch coming out behind the picture. In the other room there was their Christmas tree with blue angels and red balls. D.W. was cute in her pink onesie holding dog biscuits from a box that said “Good Dog” while their dog stood on two legs begging. Arthur was cute in his blue striped pajamas, fretting that he hadn’t found the right gift for Santa.
There were only 2 days left to shop, and the next day they went back out and looked. I was surprised they could bring their dog in the store while they shopped. Arthur even asked Santa what he wanted but Santa only laughed and said “You just leave the giving to me.”
The picture of D.W. sitting on Santa’s lap patting his stomach, and him with his mouth as an O like it surprised him was so cute.
Buster told him to be careful coming down his chimney because his parents always forget to put the fire out. Santa just laughed again and said he would use the front door. Santa asked Francine if she had been a good little girl and she said she’s always good. Arthur’s face was cute because his tongue was out as he looked up like he was making a yuck face. I didn’t know if it was because he was like yeah, right, Francine is never good. Santa had a box of pizza under his chair and a bottle of prune juice and I didn’t know if that was supposed to be gross or what, because it seemed like it would have been written if it was supposed to be.
I never understand the writing in here, because it’s so hard to understand who’s speaking. The author has the same person speaking, but breaks up what they’re saying and puts it on different lines.
“I’ll have a banana split with six scoops of bubble gum ice cream,” said Santa.
“With double hot fudge, whipped cream, and nuts.”
That should have all been on the same line.
Arthur was cute sitting on the stool in the ice cream shop, with his little boots crossed and wearing a jacket with a fur collar. I guess the prune juice wasn’t odd at all, because there were prunes in the candy counter, along with dirt. It’s odd how flavors like that are paired with normal things like nuts, oranges and lemons, and normal ice cream flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are featured with Bat Wing, Frog Chip, Moose something, Ant Sherbert, Horseradish, Shoe Lace, Horseradish, Bumpy Road, Pizza Ripple and Egg Shell. Since they’re all animals they should all have wacky flavors and no human flavors, or they should just be all regular flavors and no animal diets because the two don’t go together.
The Santa Sundae was a cute touch, a Santa figure popping out of chocolate ice cream.
Arthur was still determined to get Santa the perfect gift. That night he held a Spears Wish Book. His parents and grandma suggested items to get for santa; his dad a colorful tie, his mom after-shave and his grandma long johns. D.W. thought he was taking it too seriously and told him to do what she did and get everyone the same thing.
That day his family was going caroling but he couldn’t because he still had to get Santa a gift. Arthur was adorable with his hands in his jacket pockets bundled up with a scarf up right around his neck. D.W. even wanted him to go so she wouldn’t be the only kid, and because Mrs. Tibble gave out a present and hot chocolate.
It was weird though what he chose to have Santa doing. He was standing at a car wash, a sign that said “Hanukkah Xmas Special Xenia Car Wash” and drinking a diet root beer. A better idea could have been had for that one. Another was at the Golden Chop Stick “eating subgum chow goo.” I guess an easier-pronounced dish couldn’t have been found. I have no idea what that is or how to pronounce it, so kids would be lost. He saw another at the deli, Arthur was so cute peeking above the counter, with only his eyes showing. The waitress ordered “Catch a fish, hit it with rye, and put a pair of shoes on it!” I know some dishes have crazy code names, but the funny factor is in learning what the real dish is. It had no meaning at all because the author didn’t say what dish he ordered. What a waste.
When he got home he saw Santa on TV eating pickled peppers. It was cute how he kept seeing Santa everywhere, first at the car wash, then moments later at the restaurant. Then he said Santa must have run to the deli, and he said Santa sure ate a lot. That’s when Arthur got an idea.
D.W.’s room was cute. It took me a second to figure it out, but through her open door you can see a sign on the wall above the staircase saying Presents Go Down Here with an arrow pointing down and another lower down Christmas Tree This Way with an arrow pointing to the left. On her wall there were 3 signs with arrows pointing to the left to the door. Follow the Red Arrows, This Way to the Christmas Tree and Dear Santa Put presents Under the Tree.
Arthur sweetly said her name after he counted the money in his piggy bank, and she knew immediately he needed money. Surprisingly she asked him how much he needed, if only he promised to stop being such a grouch. They went shopping and he gave her half of his list. There was a tall, thin Santa with health foods in his cart.
It was cute that while Arthur was in the kitchen making something, his dad asked what all the noise was and D.W. said he was making a mess. Arthur sneezed and asked his mom how many cups of pepper went in pickled peppers, and his mom said “Maybe I should help.” It was nice that Arthur said “No, please. I want to make Santa’s present myself.” And then he told her to just tell him how many sticks of gum went in subgum chow goo, which I take has no gum in it, and D.W. said “Poor Santa.”
When he was finally done cooking and had set the table for Santa, the pages were priceless. There’s a tableful of gunk, awful dishes that look like something out of the trash. Kids would really get a kick out of it. One plate had brown stuff and pickles on it. A sundae was in a bowl with chop sticks, and there was a plate full of something with sauce, bananas, apples, cherries and two shoes. There were bottles of diet root beer and prune juice, and sprouts surrounded with odor lines coming out of it. It was great because his mom looked dismayed and D.W. looked cross-eyed with her mouth open on one side. The grandma had her wrist to her chin and the dad was the best, he had a hand to his mouth and was pointing with the other, asked “What’s that?” Such a cute display of good intentions gone wrong.
He had made pickled peppers, hot fudge sundae on bubble gum ice cream, and subgum chow goo. He had combined all of the foods he had seen the Santas eating around town. His grandma asked what was moving and Arthur said it was a pizza to go. It was funny how his mom said if they want Santa to come they better go to bed and D.W. said if they want him to come they’d better do something with that food.
It was really sweet-and unusual-of D.W. to be so sweet to Arthur. She couldn’t sleep because she knew Santa wouldn’t want anything to do with Arthur’s concoction.
“I have to do something,” she thought. “Poor Arthur worked so hard. But if Santa gets one whiff of Arthur’s present, he’ll never set foot in the dining room—much less eat any of it.”
She was careful not to step on the squeaky step coming downstairs. The next morning Arthur woke up to find a big note on the tree, (which was way too big to be on the tree, and to have a huge safety pin holding it in place. And their tree was like 3 times as big as it was earlier in the book…) saying “Dear Arthur, You were so nice to take the time to find out my favorite foods and make them. Thank you. You also teached me about the Christmas spirit. Love, Santa. P.S. Aren’t you lucky to have such a nice little sister?”
How adorable! It was complete with the grammar mistake that D.W. made earlier in saying that she teached the dog a trick. It was also cute how she threw in the compliment about herself. Arthur was so happy that he ate it all. They looked so sweet in their pjs, Arthur with bunny slippers and D.W. standing with her arms crossed. Their poor dog though! I didn’t notice right away, but the poor thing’s stomach was dragging the ground, his tongue was out and his cheeks pink; he looked exhausted and was a telling sign of where the food went. An amusing touch and true to children, but I felt bad for the dog! It would have been better had she just thrown it all out.
It was so nice to finally have an identity for Arthur, because I never knew what animal he was supposed to be. The author explained he grew up with 3 sisters and their grandma Thora-which was the name for the gma in here-used to tell stories. When he had his first son he told him bedtime stories. One was about an aardvark who hated his nose, named Arthur, and that was the first book of the Arthur Adventure series. How cool!
I really enjoyed the illustrations because everyone looked so cute! This was such a sweet story that I enjoyed from beginning to end. It would have been better had a few minor details been different, like Santa’s diet and activities and Arthur’s present. I thought the hot water bottle in the beginning was a great present for Santa, to keep his drink warm! It was a sweet tale of making your own gift instead of just buying it and putting thought into it based on what you’ve noticed of that person. Arthur showed responsibility in wanting to make the food all by himself, and D.W. had some great lessons in helping siblings out, what with the shopping she did, lending him her own money, and writing that note to make Arthur feel good about his present. I would have liked to have seen what D.W. bought everyone that was the same present, but it ended off at a good point. -
I can't believe they were looking in a drugstore for gifts. His sister said "This store is full of presents. Pick one and let's go!"
I thought it was sweet how Arthur wanted to get the perfect gift for Santa. "It has to be just right. I want Santa to like it."
Arthur looks cute in his red boots and coat.
Idr intil recently having watched a couple Arthur episodes how bratty his sister was. She wants to hurry and get home& see how many presents her grandma got her.
-that's funny the grandma shows up, and sister asks her about presents and aren't ur asks her if she thinks Santa would like new mittens or gloves, and she says "whatever happened to, 'Hello, I'm glad to see you?"
I like that their house is all decorated for Christmas.
The tradition of Santa pictures! Usually it's pulling the beard so I'm surprised she patted his belly. Maybe that's a tradition idk about!!
That's so cute buster warned Santa about the fireplace!! And santa's mouth is in an O. Buster looks so cute!
Francine said she's always good and Santa replies with "always?" Haha!
& Arthur is standing below with his tongue out!
Kool Guy aftershave!
Dw saying "just do what i do. Get everyone the same thing."
Arthur was reading Spears wish book. I wonder what that is.
Arthur looks cute with the balloon.
Subgum chow goo.
Santa in so many places! Arthur said "Santa sure eats a lot."
Diner talk: 'catch a fish, hit it with rye, and put a pair of shoes on it!"
'Papa piper's pickled peppers.'
He said DW in a sweet voice and she immediately knew he wanted money.
Arrows for Santa to the tree! lol
I'm surprised Arthur wanted to make food for him!!
Their dogs name is Killer??
Goo rhymed with DW.
How funny! His dad looks horrified at Arthur's food, everybody's staring at it wondering what it is.
"If we want Santa to come, we'd better do something about that food."
"Poor Arthur worked so hard. But if Santa gets one whiff of Arthur's present, he'll never set foot in the dining room--much less eat any of it." She avoids the creaky stair.
I can't believe DW left the note!!
& I just noticed the dog looking all fat and exhausted. He ate the food!
I wasn’t sure how D.W. was going to handle it, but I didn’t think she’d give it to the dog. I thought she’d probably throw it all away.
So far I haven’t seen a nice moment from D.W. until the ending of this book, when she actually left a note from ‘Santa Claus’ to make Arthur feel good, after all the trouble he went to finding the perfect gift for him, and then making all his ‘favorite’ food. That was sweet. I just wish the book had ended on a slightly different note, and had lasted longer, instead of ending right after Christmas morning. of course, it’s a common theme in children’s book, I’ve realized, for the story to just end suddenly, and not really wrap up well.
I like reading books that are also tv shows, because when you read them, you feel like you’re watching the show. I liked the illustrations, and how everything felt like Christmas. The illustrator didn’t skimp out. I liked that the pictures took up the whole pages and were full of color, and had lots to look at and take in. I also like that these books are funny; that’s always enjoyable. -
This is a very good Arthur book.... Arthur uses the days leading up to Christmas to figure out the perfect gift to leave for Santa Clause. DW gets aggrevated at him often.... but in the end after watching commercials on TV and seeing Santa around town 'eating' he decides to use his money to buy ALL of Santa's favorite foods and combine them. DW sneaks down and helps Santa out in the end all the frustrations of the week helped her to see the greatest gift isn't getting gifts but is to give them.
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As in most of Marc Brown's books about Arthur, there is always a moral message. This one speaks to children about thinking about others before yourself, as Arthur seeks to find the perfect gift to give to Santa this year.
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Most classes are not allowed to celebrate Christmas due to the different cultures. This book could be read to students who celebrate Christmas and when you are not able to think of an idea for a gift that this is the book to read.
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Santa always brings the perfect gifts for children, but this year Arthur is planning on giving Santa a gift!
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This was a wonderful Christmas story. I would have gave it 5 stars, if not for the ending.
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Such a cute story! It was so great to see a kid more interested in giving than receiving during Christmas. A rare gem, indeed!
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A heartwarming tale of Arthur trying to find the perfect gift for Santa
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I believe I have come across Arthur. My impression is of a popular franchise. I didn't take to the story portion of "Arthur's Christmas", 1984 but do admire, ardently, that Marc Brown is his own illustrator and he is very good! Let me start my review with a synopsis: Arthur believes he should furnish a Christmas gift for Santa Claus and wants to choose it well. Of course he is the fictional, universal figure of the gift-givers in our lives. Thus Santa-costumed blokes appear everywhere and Arthur looks to their activities for clues about their preferences.
This little adventure is well-meaning and ends touchingly but some concepts did not fit for me. Parents assuredly would be proud of a child capable of thinking reciprocally about the world's benefactor and I can imagine them letting him go ahead his plan, if he targeted one. To let him stress over spending money, particularly without knowing where to bestow it while any number of Santa-actors are parading around town, was a stretch too far. This wasn't a child who was eager about coming up with a personalized idea. He thought he needed to buy an exceptionally good gift and I am baffled his parents let him fret over that.
Another detractor for me was an enormously greedy sister. I know her behaviour was emphasized to contrast Arthur's generosity and how she comes through for him at the eleventh hour. However the useless shopping expedition and tacky attitude filled the majority of the book. Arthur's confusion over the eclectic Santas was cute and his gift idea, derived from them. I loved the clear warmth from their Grandma Thora and parents. Marc's drawings are the delightful highlight: colourfully, skilfully-detailed and whimsically so, too! My favourite is the second: the grocery store abounding with amusing sundries! -
“Arthur’s Christmas” is another classic “Arthur” book from the brilliant mind of Marc Brown and it is about how Arthur tries to find the perfect present for Santa Claus. “Arthur’s Christmas” is a beautiful book about learning the true meaning of Christmas that children will definitely enjoy.
Marc Brown has done a great job at both illustrating and writing this book. Marc Brown makes this story extremely cute and heartwarming as Arthur tries to find the perfect gift to give to Santa Claus and he tries to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Children can easily relate to Arthur as many children tried to find the perfect gift either for Santa Claus or for the person they care about, while noticing that it the spirit of giving that defines the true spirit of Christmas. Marc Brown’s illustrations are great as Arthur looks more updated in this book as he still has his long nose, but it is much shorter and he does not have any fur on his body like he does in the earlier “Arthur” books. Also, the illustrations in this book are extremely colorful as children see many Christmas decorations in every image.
“Arthur’s Christmas” is an extremely cute story about learning about the true spirit of Christmas and giving to others. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is no inappropriate content in this book. -
Arthur's Christmas is one of a series of picture books intended for primary and even intermediate aged children. In this particular book we join Arthur a couple of days before Christmas when he he is searching for a perfect gift for Santa Claus. Eventually Arthur notices the different foods the various Santa's were eating around town and combines all of them as a special present for Santa. The arthur series is loved by many children and adults, each novel creatively displays the theme in an easy way for children to relate. The theme of this particular book is to be kind to others as well as do not give up because something appears to be difficult and being unselfish. The main characters Arthur and D.W. Are effect because they appear to be just like the average pair of siblings with being rude to each other yet helping out one another when the duty calls. D.W. Is very similar to an actual child her age with the most concerning thoughts being of self gain, such as when her grandmother came to visit and before saying hello she asked for presents. The book contains full page illustrations with bright interesting colors that depict what the text is describing. In a classroom setting I would use this book as a computer lesson by allowing the children to log on to Arthur's website to play educational games and complete educational activities.
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Back to revisiting the books of my childhood. This one has always been a holiday favorite of mine. Now though, I can see how snotty D.W. really is towards Arthur. Poor Arthur tries his hardest to get Santa a good present and no one appreciates his work. But, although I feel kinda sorry for Arthur, I think Killer got the short end of the stick. Just eyeing his stomach grazing the floor, his eyes downcast, and tongue hanging out sickly....I can only imagine how D.W. managed to get rid of Arthur's cooking. =)
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Great christmas book, especially if you are a Marc Brown fan. Arthur has trouble deciding on his christmas gifts but through out all that he keeps seeing Santa Claus, its a book that was read in my kindergarten class and everyone loved it!!! Its a good text to self connection book even if the students do not celebrate christmas for the students who don't know it is a good insight in on it and it is humorous like most Arthur books.
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Arthur wants to buy a present for Santa. He is worried about Santa really liking his gift. Arthur puts a lot of thought into his gift and decides to make his gift.
Arthur finds Santa eating at different times and sees what he orders. Arthur then goes home and makes all of Santa's favorite.
D.W. decided to fix Arthur's present and on Christmas day a letter is left from Santa.
Very cute story. -
Arthur wants to find the perfect gift for Santa Claus and it cannot just be any ordinary gift. He does not want it to be any ordinary things, he wants it to be special.
Students can learn that giving is not just about something expensive but something that someone will truly care about.
For this you can have students make something for someone special in their lives and have them give it to them as a gift. -
Arthur wants to get Santa something special for Christmas. He gets D.W.'s help and creates a bunch of wacky dishes that he thinks Santa will like. The next morning there is a letter from Santa thanking him (we all know that D.W. wrote it).
