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Harvey Slumfenberger's Christmas Present
One Christmas Eve, Father Christmas returns home after a hard evening's present delivering. Having put his reindeer to bed, he is just about to go to sleep himself, when he makes a distressing there is still one present left in his sack. It is for Harvey Slumfenberger, a poor boy whom Father Christmas knows only ever gets one present - the one that Father Christmas brings him. So, tired as he is, Father Christmas sets out alone for Harvey Slumfenberger's home far, far away on top of the Roly Poly Mountain. But will he get there on time? The author/illustrator of this picture book, John Burningham, has twice won the Kate Greenaway Medal - for " The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers" (1964) and "Mr Gumpy's Outing" (1970). He has also won the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award for "Granpa" (1984). His other books include "Alphabet", "Numbers", "Colours", "Opposites" and the "Rhymetime" series.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 1993
3 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
John Burningham
158 books107 followershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...
Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.
John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.
From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).
Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.
Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.
John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.
From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).
Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 29, 2021
Father Christmas gets home after a busy night and finds he has one present left in his sack. The reindeers are exhausted so he puts them to bed and starts the journey to Harvey Slumfenburger's house on foot. He knows Harvey won't get any other presents, so he asks for help along the way to make sure he delivers this one.
John Burningham's illustrations are lovely as always, this is a fun read with lots of different modes of transport used for the important mission. It's a happy ending and we always had fun trying to guess what was in Harvey's present.
John Burningham's illustrations are lovely as always, this is a fun read with lots of different modes of transport used for the important mission. It's a happy ending and we always had fun trying to guess what was in Harvey's present.
December 25, 2024
3.75 *
Poor Harvey needs his Christmas present! I remember reading this quite a while ago and even tho it isn't my favourite Xmas book it is worth a wee read. The illustrations are a bit basic but a couple of pages are cute.
The story has that repetitive chorus that kids will love and each attempt to get Harvey his present has some disastrous consequences. Will Santa get Harvey his present... And what is it that he gets!
Poor Harvey needs his Christmas present! I remember reading this quite a while ago and even tho it isn't my favourite Xmas book it is worth a wee read. The illustrations are a bit basic but a couple of pages are cute.
The story has that repetitive chorus that kids will love and each attempt to get Harvey his present has some disastrous consequences. Will Santa get Harvey his present... And what is it that he gets!
December 10, 2011
I've read this book outloud (complete with hats and all my best mustered accents) probably over 60 times. It never ceases to delight. Such an incredible book on the importance of the individual. It made for great journal writing the other day with my 7th graders.
December 22, 2020
trochę przez pomyłkę wraz z zakamarkowym adwentowym kalendarzem na 2020 nabyliśmy "Prezent gwiazdkowy" wydany przez Dwie Siostry. I niestety klops. Adresowany dla dzieci na etapie fascynacji powtórzeniami. I choć ilustracje super nie poczułam klimatu.
September 27, 2011
It is Christmas Eve. Father Christmas and the reindeer are home at last - they are very tired as they have been delivering presents to children all over the world. They have something to eat and Father Christmas puts the reindeer to bed. One reindeer isn't feeling too well and Father Christmas thought that all it needed was a good night’s sleep. Finally Father Christmas has his pyjamas on and is just about to get into bed when he notices that there is still a present in his sack. The present is for Harvey Slumfenburger. Father Christmas knew all about Harvey Slumfenburger - he knew that his parent's were too poor to buy him presents, he knew that the only present Harvey would get would be the present Father Christmas brought him and he knew that Harvey lived in a hut at the top of Roly Poly Mountain, which was far, far away. Father Christmas was very tired, the reindeer were sound asleep but he knew he had to get the present to Harvey. So he put on his coat over his pyjamas, put on his boots and hat, picked up the sack and started to walk through the cold winder night to the hut where Harvey Slumfenburger lived at the top of Roly Poly Mountain, which was far, far away. It's a long and arduous journey requiring many modes of transportation, but Santa will not be deterred. And with the final five words of the book, John Burningham shows why he is a master at writing for children.
This is a magnificent book which highlights Christmas spirit. The gift itself doesn't matter as much as the journey involved in the gift giving. The last line in the story speculates on what the gift is 'I wonder what it is'. This will encourage the children to speculate on what they think Harvey has gotten from Santa.
The repetitive text is good for getting younger children involved in the story telling - ' my name is Father Christmas. I still have one present left in my sack, which is for Harvey Slumfenburger, the little boy who lives in the hut at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, which is far, far away. And it will soon be Christmas Day'. The wonderful illustrations will encourage discussion.
This book is suitable for children of all ages. I would recommend this book to be read to Reception, Yr 1 and Yr 2 and for Yr 3 + to read alone.
This is a magnificent book which highlights Christmas spirit. The gift itself doesn't matter as much as the journey involved in the gift giving. The last line in the story speculates on what the gift is 'I wonder what it is'. This will encourage the children to speculate on what they think Harvey has gotten from Santa.
The repetitive text is good for getting younger children involved in the story telling - ' my name is Father Christmas. I still have one present left in my sack, which is for Harvey Slumfenburger, the little boy who lives in the hut at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, which is far, far away. And it will soon be Christmas Day'. The wonderful illustrations will encourage discussion.
This book is suitable for children of all ages. I would recommend this book to be read to Reception, Yr 1 and Yr 2 and for Yr 3 + to read alone.
January 8, 2013
I read this book to the children just before the end of my SBT1 placement and it really is a wonderful book.
The story is set on Christmas Eve and Father Christmas has returned home after a long night of delivering presents when he suddenly finds a present he has forgotten to deliver to a boy named Harvey Slumfenburger who lives on the top of Roly Poly mountain.
The story continues to describe the events which take place in delivering the present to Harvery as Father Christmas's sleigh breaks down and has to find alternate transportation.
The story seems to be more suited to a KS2 class as there is more writing on each page than what I have read with this class previously, however I asked lots of questions to keep the children focused. I asked them to use their talk partners to predict what will happen next in the story.
It is a lovely story as it is set at Christmas time and it also has an element of humour which made the children laugh. For example, they particularly liked Father Christmas completing part of his journey on skis.
I will certainly be reading this book again as it brings the excitement of Christmas to life and displays that dedication can get a person somewhere with the help of other people.
The story is set on Christmas Eve and Father Christmas has returned home after a long night of delivering presents when he suddenly finds a present he has forgotten to deliver to a boy named Harvey Slumfenburger who lives on the top of Roly Poly mountain.
The story continues to describe the events which take place in delivering the present to Harvery as Father Christmas's sleigh breaks down and has to find alternate transportation.
The story seems to be more suited to a KS2 class as there is more writing on each page than what I have read with this class previously, however I asked lots of questions to keep the children focused. I asked them to use their talk partners to predict what will happen next in the story.
It is a lovely story as it is set at Christmas time and it also has an element of humour which made the children laugh. For example, they particularly liked Father Christmas completing part of his journey on skis.
I will certainly be reading this book again as it brings the excitement of Christmas to life and displays that dedication can get a person somewhere with the help of other people.
November 28, 2015
This was one of the longer books I've read with my 5-year-old with fewer pictures per chunk of text. But Santa and the drama of getting a present to that poor boy at the top of Roly Poly Mountain held my little one's attention clear through to the end. The story and the illustrations are funny enough to lift it up to one of my new Christmas favorites.
(I think I related most to Santa because I am often wiped out at the end of my day. It made me tired just to imagine trekking to the top of a mountain because I missed one present and my reindeer were sick.)
(I think I related most to Santa because I am often wiped out at the end of my day. It made me tired just to imagine trekking to the top of a mountain because I missed one present and my reindeer were sick.)
November 18, 2020
Nie wiem jak to się stało, ale stało się - za niecały miesiąc 6 grudzień! Z jednej strony szok - kiedy ten rok minął, z drugiej radość, bo kto nie lubi dostawać prezentów. I właśnie o te prezenty się tutaj rozchodzi, bo pewien chłopiec, Korneliusz Klops, może w te Święta nie dostać prezentu. Dlaczego? Cóż... Mikołaj go przeoczył, prezent się sprytnie zapodział i odnalazł już po odbytej podróży dookoła świata. Wszystkie dzieci już mają swoje podarki pod poduszką, w skarpetkach, pod choinką - tylko ten Korneliusz z Marmoladowej Góry... Co robić? Renifery zmęczone, jeden nawet chory. Jedynym wyjściem jest, by Święty Mikołaj samotnie wyruszył i postarał się zdążyć na czas. Więc trzeba się zbierać! Prezent sam się nie zaniesie, ale będzie to długa i niebezpieczna podróż. Czy ta awantura dobrze się skończy? Tego wam nie powiem, ale obiecuję, że będziecie zadowoleni z rozwiązania akcji.
"Prezent gwiazdkowy dla Korneliusza Klopsa", to książka dla dzieci, ale jak to zazwyczaj z książkami dla dzieci bywa - są tak naprawdę dla każdego. John Burningham napisał ją prostym językiem, to nieskomplikowana forma, idealna dla najmłodszych. Jednak nie dajcie się zmylić tą prostotą, bo to właśnie w niej tkwi siła.
Dlaczego tak bardzo mi się podobała ta opowieść? Cenię ją właśnie za ten jasny przekaz, za ten brak skomplikowanych filozofii, za to niewymuszone ciepło. To przede wszystkim mądra książka, która pokazuje nam, że razem jesteśmy w stanie zrobić wszystko. Współpraca jest kluczem do sukcesu, a pomocna ręka wyciągnięta w naszym kierunku jest najpiękniejszym, najcenniejszym prezentem. Jakże to ważny przekaz, zwłaszcza teraz, w tych trudnych czasach! Pomagajmy sobie i dbajmy o siebie, nie bądźmy egoistami, nie narażajmy innych na niepotrzebne niebezpieczeństwo - troszczmy się o siebie.
Lecz ta pozycja, to nie tylko treść, że tak się wyrażę - tekstowa - to również przepiękne ilustracje. I naprawdę nie przesadzam pisząc PRZEPIĘKNE, bo one faktycznie takie są. Najbardziej podobają mi się te minimalistyczne, na których dominują odcienie jednego koloru, a w rogu bohater jest niczym zabłąkana kropeczka. Są to malarskie dzieła, kojące dla oczu i działające uspokajająco (serio). Moją uwagę zwrócił również papier najlepszej klasy. Wydanie jest przepiękne, okładka błyszczy w Słońcu, a tytuł lśni złotem. IDEALNY PREZENT!
Na koniec jeszcze raz was zachęcę do sięgnięcia po tę książkę. Warto, bo nie tylko dostaniecie wartościową treść, ale i piękny wygląd. Jak już pisałam Święty Mikołaj tuż, tuż - więc nie wiem na co jeszcze czekacie. To moja pierwsza propozycja "prezentowa", "świąteczna" , ale nie bójcie się, nie ostatnia.
życzę wam, by za rogiem zawsze stał ktoś, kto będzie gotowy wam pomóc w trudnej sytuacji
8/10
Wydawnictwo Dwie Siostry
"Prezent gwiazdkowy dla Korneliusza Klopsa", to książka dla dzieci, ale jak to zazwyczaj z książkami dla dzieci bywa - są tak naprawdę dla każdego. John Burningham napisał ją prostym językiem, to nieskomplikowana forma, idealna dla najmłodszych. Jednak nie dajcie się zmylić tą prostotą, bo to właśnie w niej tkwi siła.
Dlaczego tak bardzo mi się podobała ta opowieść? Cenię ją właśnie za ten jasny przekaz, za ten brak skomplikowanych filozofii, za to niewymuszone ciepło. To przede wszystkim mądra książka, która pokazuje nam, że razem jesteśmy w stanie zrobić wszystko. Współpraca jest kluczem do sukcesu, a pomocna ręka wyciągnięta w naszym kierunku jest najpiękniejszym, najcenniejszym prezentem. Jakże to ważny przekaz, zwłaszcza teraz, w tych trudnych czasach! Pomagajmy sobie i dbajmy o siebie, nie bądźmy egoistami, nie narażajmy innych na niepotrzebne niebezpieczeństwo - troszczmy się o siebie.
Lecz ta pozycja, to nie tylko treść, że tak się wyrażę - tekstowa - to również przepiękne ilustracje. I naprawdę nie przesadzam pisząc PRZEPIĘKNE, bo one faktycznie takie są. Najbardziej podobają mi się te minimalistyczne, na których dominują odcienie jednego koloru, a w rogu bohater jest niczym zabłąkana kropeczka. Są to malarskie dzieła, kojące dla oczu i działające uspokajająco (serio). Moją uwagę zwrócił również papier najlepszej klasy. Wydanie jest przepiękne, okładka błyszczy w Słońcu, a tytuł lśni złotem. IDEALNY PREZENT!
Na koniec jeszcze raz was zachęcę do sięgnięcia po tę książkę. Warto, bo nie tylko dostaniecie wartościową treść, ale i piękny wygląd. Jak już pisałam Święty Mikołaj tuż, tuż - więc nie wiem na co jeszcze czekacie. To moja pierwsza propozycja "prezentowa", "świąteczna" , ale nie bójcie się, nie ostatnia.
życzę wam, by za rogiem zawsze stał ktoś, kto będzie gotowy wam pomóc w trudnej sytuacji
8/10
Wydawnictwo Dwie Siostry
December 4, 2020
Myśląc niejednokrotnie o Mikołaju, jak go sobie wyobrażaliście? Mieliście przed oczami jedynie przymilnego staruszka z białą brodą w czerwonym ubraniu?
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"Prezent gwiazdkowy dla Korneliusza Klopsa" to jedna ze świątecznych książeczek dla dzieci, jaka gości na naszej półce. Historia ta napisana została przez Johna Burninghama, a wydaniem jej zajęło się niezastąpione Wydawnictwo @dwiesiostry ❤
Opowieść rozpoczyna się w momencie, kiedy strudzony Mikołaj wraz ze swoimi niezastąpionymi reniferami wraca z trudnej wyprawy. Jest Wigilia, 24 grudnia, Mikołaj dostarczył prezenty dzieciom, tak więc może w końcu odpocząć. Jednak nie dane mu położyć się do łóżka, gdyż okazuje się, że w worku na prezenty została jeszcze jedna przesyłka. Kiedy Mikołaj orientuje się, kogo nie odwiedził tego wyjątkowego wieczora, szybko ubiera się z powrotem i wyrusza do domu Korneliusza Klopsa. Nie zabiera z sobą reniferów, gdyż wie, że one również są bardzo zmęczone, jeden nawet się pochorował. Korzysta z własnych nóg oraz życzliwości spotkanych ludzi.
Ta niebanalna historia okraszona pięknymi ilustracjami to dowód na to, że Mikołaj to postać jeszcze bardziej fantastyczna, niż każdy z nas może sobie wyobrazić. Pozwala wypocząć swoi zwierzętom, wszelki trud bierze na swoje barki. A wszystko to z powodu chłopca, który może dostać prezent wyłącznie od Mikołaja, gdyż jego rodzina jest bardzo biedna.
W książce panuje pewna powtarzalność. Mikołaj nie korzysta z pomocy jednego człowieka, a kilku. Każda pomoc kończy się tymi samymi słowami, radą, wskazówką, dzięki którym Mikołaj może dotrzeć do domu Korneliusza Klopsa. Zmieniają się środki transportu, więc Mikołaj tak naprawdę w ciągu jednej nocy podróżuje koniem, nartami, pociągiem, motocyklem czy rowerem.
Polecam Wam tę ciepłą, wprowadzającą świąteczny klimat książkę. Znajdziecie w niej wszystko to, co w zbliżającym się czasie najważniejsze - dobroć oraz otwarte serce.🧡
.
"Prezent gwiazdkowy dla Korneliusza Klopsa" to jedna ze świątecznych książeczek dla dzieci, jaka gości na naszej półce. Historia ta napisana została przez Johna Burninghama, a wydaniem jej zajęło się niezastąpione Wydawnictwo @dwiesiostry ❤
Opowieść rozpoczyna się w momencie, kiedy strudzony Mikołaj wraz ze swoimi niezastąpionymi reniferami wraca z trudnej wyprawy. Jest Wigilia, 24 grudnia, Mikołaj dostarczył prezenty dzieciom, tak więc może w końcu odpocząć. Jednak nie dane mu położyć się do łóżka, gdyż okazuje się, że w worku na prezenty została jeszcze jedna przesyłka. Kiedy Mikołaj orientuje się, kogo nie odwiedził tego wyjątkowego wieczora, szybko ubiera się z powrotem i wyrusza do domu Korneliusza Klopsa. Nie zabiera z sobą reniferów, gdyż wie, że one również są bardzo zmęczone, jeden nawet się pochorował. Korzysta z własnych nóg oraz życzliwości spotkanych ludzi.
Ta niebanalna historia okraszona pięknymi ilustracjami to dowód na to, że Mikołaj to postać jeszcze bardziej fantastyczna, niż każdy z nas może sobie wyobrazić. Pozwala wypocząć swoi zwierzętom, wszelki trud bierze na swoje barki. A wszystko to z powodu chłopca, który może dostać prezent wyłącznie od Mikołaja, gdyż jego rodzina jest bardzo biedna.
W książce panuje pewna powtarzalność. Mikołaj nie korzysta z pomocy jednego człowieka, a kilku. Każda pomoc kończy się tymi samymi słowami, radą, wskazówką, dzięki którym Mikołaj może dotrzeć do domu Korneliusza Klopsa. Zmieniają się środki transportu, więc Mikołaj tak naprawdę w ciągu jednej nocy podróżuje koniem, nartami, pociągiem, motocyklem czy rowerem.
Polecam Wam tę ciepłą, wprowadzającą świąteczny klimat książkę. Znajdziecie w niej wszystko to, co w zbliżającym się czasie najważniejsze - dobroć oraz otwarte serce.🧡
December 19, 2023
🎄🎁🌟🌈Albi Illustrati 🌈🌟🎁🎄
« L'ultimo regalo di Natale » John Burningham
età di lettura: dai 3 anni
~~~
Era la vigilia di Natale. Babbo Natale stava per andare a letto dopo aver consegnato i doni, quando si accorse che nel suo sacco era rimasto un regalo: proprio quello di Beniamino Stamberbugio, il bambino che abitava in una casupola in cima al Monte Rotolo, lassù, molto, molto lontano. Ma nessun viaggio è troppo difficile o troppo lungo per Babbo Natale!
~~~
Mi sono innamorata di questo libricino già dalle primissime illustrazione ( ovviamente copertina compresa). Un racconto molto simpatico dove incontreremo un Babbo Natale un po' sfortunato che farà di tutto per portare l'unico regalino che il piccolo Beniamino Stamberbugio riceve ogni anno per Natale. Sbirceremo tra i retroscena della vita che non conosciamo di Babbo Natale che si prende cura delle sue povere renne malate dopo la lunga notte che le ha viste impegnate nel loro lavoro. Una storia divertente tra cadute e ruzzoloni nella neve che terrà i bambini incollati a queste pagine grazie anche all' aiuto di frasi che si ripetono spesso, quasi come una divertente cantilena. Nonostante ciò si può cogliere anche un messaggio importante per i bambini , possono reputarsi fortunati visto tutti i regalini che ricevono ogni Natale perché c'è qualche bimbo meno fortunato di loro come Beniamino che ne riceve solo uno, addirittura qualcuno purtroppo non potrà avere neanche quello.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
IL VOLUME È CONSULTABILE PRESSO LA BIBLIOTECA PER BAMBINI E RAGAZZI @terrasita.ets
#libriperbambini #libri #libridaleggere #bambini #bookstagram #leggere #libriperragazzi #albiillustrati #libriillustrati #librichepassione #libriperlinfanzia #book #libribelli #books #illustrazione #libriconsigliati #bookstagramtag #booklover #lettureperbambini #libro #consiglidilettura #christmas #instabook #lettura #instalibri #illustrazione #letteraturaperlinfanzia #natale #favole #kids
« L'ultimo regalo di Natale » John Burningham
età di lettura: dai 3 anni
~~~
Era la vigilia di Natale. Babbo Natale stava per andare a letto dopo aver consegnato i doni, quando si accorse che nel suo sacco era rimasto un regalo: proprio quello di Beniamino Stamberbugio, il bambino che abitava in una casupola in cima al Monte Rotolo, lassù, molto, molto lontano. Ma nessun viaggio è troppo difficile o troppo lungo per Babbo Natale!
~~~
Mi sono innamorata di questo libricino già dalle primissime illustrazione ( ovviamente copertina compresa). Un racconto molto simpatico dove incontreremo un Babbo Natale un po' sfortunato che farà di tutto per portare l'unico regalino che il piccolo Beniamino Stamberbugio riceve ogni anno per Natale. Sbirceremo tra i retroscena della vita che non conosciamo di Babbo Natale che si prende cura delle sue povere renne malate dopo la lunga notte che le ha viste impegnate nel loro lavoro. Una storia divertente tra cadute e ruzzoloni nella neve che terrà i bambini incollati a queste pagine grazie anche all' aiuto di frasi che si ripetono spesso, quasi come una divertente cantilena. Nonostante ciò si può cogliere anche un messaggio importante per i bambini , possono reputarsi fortunati visto tutti i regalini che ricevono ogni Natale perché c'è qualche bimbo meno fortunato di loro come Beniamino che ne riceve solo uno, addirittura qualcuno purtroppo non potrà avere neanche quello.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
IL VOLUME È CONSULTABILE PRESSO LA BIBLIOTECA PER BAMBINI E RAGAZZI @terrasita.ets
#libriperbambini #libri #libridaleggere #bambini #bookstagram #leggere #libriperragazzi #albiillustrati #libriillustrati #librichepassione #libriperlinfanzia #book #libribelli #books #illustrazione #libriconsigliati #bookstagramtag #booklover #lettureperbambini #libro #consiglidilettura #christmas #instabook #lettura #instalibri #illustrazione #letteraturaperlinfanzia #natale #favole #kids
December 26, 2021
It doesn't manage the heart of Prep and Landing or Arthur Christmas, both of which have the same basic plot, but it's nice enough, and kids would enjoy it. The art is the real standout quality: the characters and some of the backgrounds are very simple, but sometimes there's a full watercolor painting of a winter sky, and you really want to stop and look at it for a minute.
December 5, 2020
3,5/5
November 12, 2021
Cute Christmas story.
Funny concept of Santa traveling far and wide.
I, too, wonder what the gift for Harvey might have been.
Funny concept of Santa traveling far and wide.
I, too, wonder what the gift for Harvey might have been.
June 1, 2022
A story full of concentration
January 5, 2023
Urocza i ładnie zilustrowana historia o Korneliuszu Klopsie, który mimo wielu przeciwności losu musiał dostać swój prezent gwiazdkowy - i Mikołaj o to zadbał. Polecam!
January 3, 2024
Simply delightful!! I loved it!
December 24, 2024
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
this book is a cosy warm hug
this book is a cosy warm hug
books-i-have-read-to-eleanor
January 4, 2026My brother had this one when we were small. It's much less fun to read aloud than it is to experience as a child being read to. I love the pictures of Santa's creative forms of transport.
December 5, 2024
Overall, the illustrations are what made me give this picture book five stars; they are beautifully drawn.
The writing could have been better. This is one of my favourite Xmas books tbh.
The writing could have been better. This is one of my favourite Xmas books tbh.
December 21, 2013
12/20/13 ** Annual last day before break read aloud. I love this story. It emphasizes the effort and personal caring of one person to another, rather than the materialistic aspect of gifts.
12/21/12 ** Read it again to a new class of fourth graders. Amazing how well it fit in with the discussion of theme and character traits that we've been having.
12/17/2010 Well, I did my annual reading of this book with my class. It is perhaps one of the best books I can think of to highlight the true spirit of giving at Christmas. The gift doesn't matter nearly as much as the journey (time & effort) involved in the gift-giving. The last line of the book speculates on the gift as the author says, "I wonder what it was." An ahhh went around the room as some of my 4th graders began speculating about the gift while others muttered about not knowing for sure.
Another Christmas-book-reading scene that sticks in my head today is the image of one of my very rambunctious students sitting on the floor with a peer reading The Christmas Day Kitten by Herriott. When the boys finished reading aloud together, they sighed quietly said, "That's a sad book." After sitting introspectively for a moment holding the closed book, they asked me how many cat years are in a human year. I loved seeing their total engagement with a book that most of us wouldn't have identified as a book for the 'reluctant reader.'
12/21/12 ** Read it again to a new class of fourth graders. Amazing how well it fit in with the discussion of theme and character traits that we've been having.
12/17/2010 Well, I did my annual reading of this book with my class. It is perhaps one of the best books I can think of to highlight the true spirit of giving at Christmas. The gift doesn't matter nearly as much as the journey (time & effort) involved in the gift-giving. The last line of the book speculates on the gift as the author says, "I wonder what it was." An ahhh went around the room as some of my 4th graders began speculating about the gift while others muttered about not knowing for sure.
Another Christmas-book-reading scene that sticks in my head today is the image of one of my very rambunctious students sitting on the floor with a peer reading The Christmas Day Kitten by Herriott. When the boys finished reading aloud together, they sighed quietly said, "That's a sad book." After sitting introspectively for a moment holding the closed book, they asked me how many cat years are in a human year. I loved seeing their total engagement with a book that most of us wouldn't have identified as a book for the 'reluctant reader.'
December 19, 2011
Between this and The Story of Jumping Mouse, I have been quite weepy this afternoon. I recently saw Arthur Christmas and absolutely adored it; this book evokes the same kind of spirit. Christmas isn't about what you receive, but rather about the act of giving itself. I could easily see this become a household Christmas favorite. I think I'm going to have to buy my own copy. Just a perfect holiday read.
December 20, 2012
One of the cutest funniest Santa Claus books I've seen! When Santa realizes, after the sled's put away and the reindeer are tucked into bed, that he's forgotten to deliver poor Harvey Slumfenberger's Christmas present, he sets off by himself to make the delivery. Through a series of helpers and a variety of conveyances, and a series of mishaps, Santa finally makes his way to the top of the Roly Poly Mountains to deliver the present. I like this Santa's determination and tenaciousness.
January 16, 2016
Oh No! Santa forgot to deliver Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas present! Santa knows he can't let Harvey down! The problem is that the reindeer are already asleep, and one of them is sick. So Santa decides to go on a long journey to get the gift to Harvey. The problem is that Santa may not make it in time. It is a long way to Harvey's house and it's not an easy house to get to but Santa is a stand up guy and keeps pushing on, hoping that he will get there before Christmas day. Go Santa Go!
December 8, 2015
This was Matt's favorite Christmas story - we read it nightly for a long time when he was little - such a cute story about the lengths Santa went through for a little boy named Harvey Slumfenburger.
Full review on my blog:
http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogsp...
Full review on my blog:
http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogsp...
Want to read
August 18, 2014On discovering late Christmas Eve that he has forgotten to deliver one present, Santa Claus wearily makes his way in a variety of conveyances to the top of the Roly Poly Mountain to deliver it.
This charming, funny story perfectly captures the very best part of Christmas spirit.
This charming, funny story perfectly captures the very best part of Christmas spirit.
November 16, 2008
If I could only have one Christmas picture book, this would be the one! It makes me cry every time -- and that's a good thing!
December 10, 2010
'Cause everybody matters to Santa.
February 2, 2015
Original and endearing. Sweet and fun message for the season. My children were a bit incensed by the cliffhanger ending,=) but it lets imaginations soar!
December 23, 2011
I decided to reread a family holiday favorite this evening. Love John Burningham's art and storytelling.
December 25, 2011
This had been a family tradition for several years - recommended along with that other one for tucking the kids into bed. Merry Christmas!
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