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43rd out of 392 books
—
549 voters
Red Ranger Came Calling
Using glowing, hypnotic images and a funny, provocative text, the narrator relives his father's most amazing childhood Christmas. A moody young boy living with his aunt on an island, "Red" Breathed sees himself as the "Red Ranger from Mars", his hero from the movie serials, and cannot picture life without the gift of a Red Ranger bicycle. Red is far too "swanky a human bei...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
September 1st 1997
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
(first published 1994)
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This book has been among my Christmas collection for a couple of years, but I avoided reading it because of the disturbing cover. At the encouragement of a good friend, I courageously opened the cover and began to read handed the book to my husband and made him read it aloud.
With the emotional distance this provided, I found the story wonderful (definitely worth four stars) and, though I was hesitant to look at them, I only truly disliked five of the illustrations.
Amelia steals the show.
With the emotional distance this provided, I found the story wonderful (definitely worth four stars) and, though I was hesitant to look at them, I only truly disliked five of the illustrations.
Amelia steals the show.
Red Ranger is a Christmas tale that manages to be both spunky and nostalgic in tone, and it deserves a permanent place on one’s Christmas bookshelf. And, yeah, it is set not far from Seattle, on Vashon Island. The only flaw, I think, is the somewhat garish, mid-1990s, computerized coloring job; there’s something of a ‘fever dream’ quality to it that doesn’t quiet work.
Being a fan of Berkeley Breathed from back in his Bloom County days, when I saw an article online about an unusual sight - a bicycle trapped in the trunk of a tree - and that the sight of said bicycle inspired Mr. Breathed to write a story, which had become a sort of a cult Christmas classic.
Of course, I had to find it, and despite it being into the New Year when I did, I was charmed by this story of an 'ostrich-egg headed' boy, who, while visiting his aunt during the Christmas holidays (someth...more
Of course, I had to find it, and despite it being into the New Year when I did, I was charmed by this story of an 'ostrich-egg headed' boy, who, while visiting his aunt during the Christmas holidays (someth...more
A truly unique book with the most unique ending ever. My dear friend Nikki, an avid reader and goodread's contributor, gave me this book for Christmas.
I will be using this book (thank-you Nikki) as a ninth grade writing challenge. I'll read the book, then ask students to consider the unusual geographical or man-made landmarks in their own city or state and then instruct the students to write their own legend--quirky, funny, serious--sort of in the same way that we retell the legend of the Indian...more
I will be using this book (thank-you Nikki) as a ninth grade writing challenge. I'll read the book, then ask students to consider the unusual geographical or man-made landmarks in their own city or state and then instruct the students to write their own legend--quirky, funny, serious--sort of in the same way that we retell the legend of the Indian...more
Red Ranger Came Calling is not your daddy's typical Santa Claus tale, but it is based on one told by the author's father, who guaranteed it as true. Breathed's gift for depicting strong expressions of emotion is on full display, but it is not his illustrations which tell this story. Red Ranger is a book to be enjoyed by the whole family; lucky readers will relish the sound of the storyteller's prose and dialogue rolling off their tongues as much as listeners will engage with the masterfully susp...more
Deliciously told, wonderfully illustrated. (Yes, I'm an old Bloom County fan.)
I'll admit, I felt trepidatious reading the serious tone set by the late 1930's backdrop ... and then I lost myself in tales of tuna fish and Venusian Hottentots. Classic Breathed prose. And the illustrations — oh my!
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories, especially when young Red learns to ... well, you'll see. And yes, his poor dog, Amelia, dose make a valiant effort to steal the show.
If you loved Opus, and kn...more
I'll admit, I felt trepidatious reading the serious tone set by the late 1930's backdrop ... and then I lost myself in tales of tuna fish and Venusian Hottentots. Classic Breathed prose. And the illustrations — oh my!
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories, especially when young Red learns to ... well, you'll see. And yes, his poor dog, Amelia, dose make a valiant effort to steal the show.
If you loved Opus, and kn...more
Apr 24, 2011
Lori
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
lovers of christmas stories
Shelves:
children-picture-books
A wonderful christmas story about a young boy who discovers, for the first time, that maybe the holiday isn't about what you get, but what you give, and that believing isn't just for those who don't know any better.
Fabulously illustrated, full of great humor and just a little magic, this one is a keeper.
Favorite passages:So if not exactly a Tweed bicycle, then surely a treed one...placed there by a strange old man whose ears had failed him before his heart did.
Fabulously illustrated, full of great humor and just a little magic, this one is a keeper.
Favorite passages:So if not exactly a Tweed bicycle, then surely a treed one...placed there by a strange old man whose ears had failed him before his heart did.
And then up from some unexplored cr
...more
Dec 03, 2009
Rachel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
children
I really enjoyed this imaginative and story about what a little boy wants for Christmas and eventually gets (sort-of). It's a true story about the author's father, named Red, not after his hair but the Red Ranger aka Buck Tweed (a 1930s superhero who battles space Nazis and saves princesses in distress. All Red wants for Christmas is an "Official Buck Tweed Two-Speed Crime-Stopper Star-Hopper bicycle", but it is the Depression and no can afford anything. He passes by a house belonging to Sander...more
Ok, so i have always been a fan of Opus, and Bloom County, one of my favorite comics. But this story reminded me of the types of stories my dad would tell, and the way he would tell them. The story is great, the illustrations are magnificent, and my boys love the book almost as much as I do. It is my new favorite Christmas read. Or at least it still is, as i bought it several years ago, and just rediscovered it.
BTW, Berkley Breathed is a veritable genius, as if you didn't know.
BTW, Berkley Breathed is a veritable genius, as if you didn't know.
Put off by the illustrations and particularly the cover, I hesitated to read this for several days after getting it from the library. But that said I really liked the book. It is truly a holiday book with a warm and sweet ending! Actually I found I only disliked the illustrations of the boy and thought the elves were delightful. While I definitely should have recognized the author is the same as Opus comic strip, I did not. If you haven't read this holiday book, please try it!
We can't say enough about this clever, hysterically funny, eventually heartwarming tale of a Red Ranger-obsessed, sour young boy and his misadventures. If your family celebrates Christmas, a reading of this book could easily become a treasured annual tradition. The book contains lots of sophisticated vocabulary, but the pictures and context should allow children in first or second grade and up to access the story.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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My ten year old son checked this out from the library today because he wanted me to read it. You see, his teacher last year had read it to his class and he had been thinking about it lately and how it proves that Santa Claus is real. We read it together. The illustrations are not exactly my taste but still quite good. The story is excellent.
What a fun Christmas story to share with the kids. Set in the 1939 depression era with a little boy who seems to have had enough disappointments to not believe in anything. The highlight is when HE learns to give magic to the last person you would expect needs it. The art is different and compelling and a wonderful part of the story.
I have read this delightful book to my children at Christmas for 29 years. I was invited to read it to second graders for several years. In a few years, I will share it with my granddaughter. Children love the realistic emotion and the superb fantasy. Couple all that with a surprise ending and you have a favorite for all ages.
This has become my ultimate Christmas story. What child (or adult) can deny a great illustrated story that ends with irrefutable photographic evidence of the existence of Santa! I told the story while showing the book to about 30 adults and children at a Thanksgiving party and held their rapt attention to the very end. Each person then had to see the book for his/her self. A new family tradition is born.
This one IS my all time favorite Christmas book! I know I have said that before... but it's hard to narrow it down to one! This book is a MUST HAVE- a perfect story for 5th-6th grade kids and grown up kids! He is a great writer- beautiful language and the illustrations are detailed and interesting and unusual.
This beautifully illustrated retelling of a Christmas story from Berke Breathed's childhood weaves within it a shiny new Red Ranger bicycle, a mysterious old stranger, and a young boy who can't afford to believe.
Book is a little too wordy. Great for adults to read! Wonderful twist. The best!!!
Book is a little too wordy. Great for adults to read! Wonderful twist. The best!!!
I'm not a fan of Mr. Breathed's comic "Opus" (it takes up way too much space in the Asheville Citizen-Times Sunday funnies), but the joy of this story and the magic of the final image have convinced me that he can do more than write about a dumb penguin.
I love reading this book to my 4th grade students. They are so proud that they are older and question the Santa Claus idea. Then when the book is over they have no idea what they think anymore. Crazy word choice and a long read aloud but so worth it
This is one of my new favorite books of al time. It has rather a lot of words for a picture book, but every word only adds to the story. I was entranced by the whole thing. This will definitely be one to add to my personal bookshelf.
Obscure, but still my favorite Christmas book. It has fantastic pictures and a sarcastic, but poignant story. It makes me cry every time. Even though, I don't think it's supposed to be sad. It's hopeful. And true. . . or maybe not.
A wee long to read aloud, but I'm a little lazy about that. The kids loved Amelia the dog floating on the ceiling and the bike at the end. I may have gotten a bit sniffly there at the end... Could be great for a 5-7ish boy.
This mysterious tale written with restrained but humorous flare reaches dramatic heights in its otherworldly images. Red, the main character, is pictured in wide-ranging emotionally charged poses, his face surprised, slumped by disappointment, pleading, and ablaze in anger; the illustrations command the viewer’s attention to the strong display of light and shadow, some shadows taking on a larger than life existence on the page. The wordy sentences don’t miss a beat, adding to the dark tone of th...more
This is a really fun book with a message. The illustrations are hilarious, and the story itself is really funny. This is a great part of our Christmas books collection.
An irreverently and hilarious touching christmas story that I get more out of than Kaleb. But it's humor and sentiment that I want him to grow to appreciate. Addie loved it.
Loved this wonderful story perfect for the older child that is beginning to question the reality of Santa! I kept hearing the narrator's voice from the move The Christmas Story in my head as I read this. And I loved the little twist at the end!
Not as well known as Breathed's other Christmas book but more enjoyable because of how personal it is, based on a story his father swears is true.
This has to be one of the absolute best Christmas stories for children and adults alike...it is right up there with "The Grinch..". I LOVED it!
The absolute hands-down best Christmas book in the history of great Christmas books. A read-aloud-on-Christmas-Eve tradition. Love this book!
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Guy Berkeley "Berke" Breathed is an American cartoonist, children's book author/illustrator, director, and screenwriter, best known for Bloom County, a 1980s cartoon-comic strip which dealt with socio-political issues as seen through the eyes of highly exaggerated characters (e.g. Bill the Cat and Opus the Penguin) and humorous analogies.
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Dec 11, 2010 02:25pm