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stephxsu's review
SECRETS OF A CHRISTMAS BOX is another of those books that is difficult to market. At around 200 pages full of mostly text, it’s too advanced for a toddler or early elementary school kid which is probably the ideal audience for this story. The occasional small illustration will not satisfy the young audience’s desire for literary participation. And the infantilizing tone of the book will turn away older readers.
Perhaps the best thing one can do with this book is to have it as a holiday read-aloud, or a bedtime story for really young children. The author is a pretty successful writer for the silver screen, but his tendencies to “write young” show in the clichéd dialogue: the human parents of the house in which the tree is located, for example, only address one another as “love” and talk of mundane subjects that come straight out of a fifties TV sitcom like Leave It to Beaver. Indeed, Hornby’s original idea had been to write this story as a screenplay for an animated film, and I believe it would’ve worked a lot better that way. Little kids would be much more entertained if the cheesy story and writing were accompanied by cool animated effects.
It was a cute idea, but it’s extremely difficult to get past the writing to grasp the themes of this book. Parents and guardians of young children can consider this as a cute little story to read by the fireplace (you can really ham up the voices with this dialogue), but those who don’t have small children may want to pass on this one.
Perhaps the best thing one can do with this book is to have it as a holiday read-aloud, or a bedtime story for really young children. The author is a pretty successful writer for the silver screen, but his tendencies to “write young” show in the clichéd dialogue: the human parents of the house in which the tree is located, for example, only address one another as “love” and talk of mundane subjects that come straight out of a fifties TV sitcom like Leave It to Beaver. Indeed, Hornby’s original idea had been to write this story as a screenplay for an animated film, and I believe it would’ve worked a lot better that way. Little kids would be much more entertained if the cheesy story and writing were accompanied by cool animated effects.
It was a cute idea, but it’s extremely difficult to get past the writing to grasp the themes of this book. Parents and guardians of young children can consider this as a cute little story to read by the fireplace (you can really ham up the voices with this dialogue), but those who don’t have small children may want to pass on this one.
chemwiz77's review
2.0
I thought it would be this kind-hearted adventure that my 8 year old daughter and I could share. I got a somewhat scary, very sad tale that was only a Christmas tale due to it revolving around Christmas tree ornaments. I would not recommend this to anyone who wants to read this as a heart-warming Christmas tale with their children. There was a lot of unnecessary extra and this book could have been about half the length. Not a re-read for us. One of the reviews inside the book said they would read it together as a Christmas tradition. Say what? No thank you. This is not the heirloom, pass down book I expected.
hisaacson's review
3.0
Full review at:
http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/tis-season-holiday-books-2009.html
http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/tis-season-holiday-books-2009.html
faithfulgirl4's review
3.0
If you've ever wondered what happens on the Christmas tree when the family goes to sleep, this is the book for you! I also learned how my packages get those little rips in them just from sitting under the tree. It's a great way to start the holiday season reading one chapter a day right up until Christmas Day! At 25 short chapters, I envision families sitting around a fire next to the tree reading this festive story about Larry, Debbie, and Splint.
Larry is a snowman ornament who carries a tree shaped umbrella with him everywhere he goes. Debbie is an adorable reindeer who's a bit smitten with Larry. Splint is the newest ornament on the tree and is having a hard time finding a place to fit in. The tree is decorated and the family goes to bed so it's time for the "Awakening Ceremony". Larry is trying to find his brother Terrance but he's nowhere to be found. How could he have not made it to the tree this year? Larry is determined to leave the tree and find him even though it's totally against the rules. Debbie and Splint agree to help him out. Along the way, packages are torn, the evil white box purrs, and steps are mastered with a paperclip and yarn. Will Terrance be found? Can Larry, Debbie, and Splint survive this adventure into the unknown world away from the tree or the Christmas box? What happens when a mutiny happens on a Christmas tree?
I would advise parents on this one as it does become a bit violent towards the end. I wouldn't personally recommend reading this to youngsters under 8. I was going to read it to my 6 and 4 year olds and I'm glad now that I didn't before I read this. I know they would be terrified of the tree and would have nightmares as well. Otherwise, it's a great read for your yearly festivities!
Larry is a snowman ornament who carries a tree shaped umbrella with him everywhere he goes. Debbie is an adorable reindeer who's a bit smitten with Larry. Splint is the newest ornament on the tree and is having a hard time finding a place to fit in. The tree is decorated and the family goes to bed so it's time for the "Awakening Ceremony". Larry is trying to find his brother Terrance but he's nowhere to be found. How could he have not made it to the tree this year? Larry is determined to leave the tree and find him even though it's totally against the rules. Debbie and Splint agree to help him out. Along the way, packages are torn, the evil white box purrs, and steps are mastered with a paperclip and yarn. Will Terrance be found? Can Larry, Debbie, and Splint survive this adventure into the unknown world away from the tree or the Christmas box? What happens when a mutiny happens on a Christmas tree?
I would advise parents on this one as it does become a bit violent towards the end. I wouldn't personally recommend reading this to youngsters under 8. I was going to read it to my 6 and 4 year olds and I'm glad now that I didn't before I read this. I know they would be terrified of the tree and would have nightmares as well. Otherwise, it's a great read for your yearly festivities!
carolsnotebook's review
4.0
This book is a magical read for December. Amber (9) and I read this together and both enjoyed it. To use Amber’s words, “Larry and Splint rock! It’s awesome.” It was a fun read, with lots of adventure for the pint-sized heroes and Amber definitely did not see the twist coming at the end. I did, but that’s partly because I had to peek ahead, just to make sure that all three were safe.
This will definitely be one we read again next year. I can see reading it out loud to younger kids, too. It’s delightful. I doubt Amber and I will look at the ornaments on the tree in quite the same way. Imagine what kind of mischief they may be getting into when we’re all sound asleep.
This will definitely be one we read again next year. I can see reading it out loud to younger kids, too. It’s delightful. I doubt Amber and I will look at the ornaments on the tree in quite the same way. Imagine what kind of mischief they may be getting into when we’re all sound asleep.
mjmbecky's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this hearty little tale of Christmas, and the heart-stopping adventure of a small group of Christmas ornaments out to find their friend and brother (who didn't make it to the tree). However, I did feel that the writing resembled a script, more than a story. Some of the jarring issues in writing slowly worked out somewhat by the middle of the book, and I thought the story itself was a cute idea.
I actually think that this would make a fabulous children's story, marketed to and for children. As it is now, in it's hardcover form and several hundred pages, you do think this will be a Christmas story that has adult appeal. This didn't necessarily strike me as a book for adults, but one that would make a great read if read aloud to children or pre-teens.
I actually think that this would make a fabulous children's story, marketed to and for children. As it is now, in it's hardcover form and several hundred pages, you do think this will be a Christmas story that has adult appeal. This didn't necessarily strike me as a book for adults, but one that would make a great read if read aloud to children or pre-teens.
catrev's review
4.0
Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby is a perfect read aloud story for families. The tree-dwellers wake up each year after being placed on the Christmas tree and circle the branches looking for old friends and meeting new ones. Larry the snowman and Debbie the reindeer girl are thrilled to see each other again but devastated to find that Larry's brother is missing. Along with newcomer Splint, a wooden soldier, they break the rules of the Elder and leave the tree to find their sleeping place, the Christmas Box, in hopes of discovering a clue. The story begins as a charming imaginative tale about what happens on the Christmas tree when everyone has gone to sleep, but transforms into a gripping thriller, still appropriate for children, about the meaning of friendship. There are a few slightly scary spots, making this appropriate for ages 6 and up, but the story is compelling and kids will love the idea that their tree comes to life each night.
kaylana's review
3.0
This was a fun and cute Christmas story. Ornaments on a Christmas trees come to life each year...Larry the snowman can't find his brother Terrence this year and decides to find him beyond the tree's border with the help of his two friends Debbie and Splint. It did take on a bit of a dark turn towards the end, but I think you can use this as a good learning opportunity for kids. I'm going to enjoy reading this one to my son as he gets older each year for Christmas! The book also has many drawings throughout the book that are really fun!
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