A Clever Beatrice Christmas

Clever Beatrice

by Margaret Willey, Heather M. Solomon (Illustrator)

On Christmas Day I will bring you a bell from Père Noël's very own sleigh!

That's the promise Beatrice makes when the children from the village ask whether Santa is real or not. Beatrice is, after all, the most clever girl in the whole north woods. But, while she herself is quite certain that Père Noël is real, can she outsmart him in order to prove it? Or will she finally find herself up against someone who is even more clever than she?

A very special Christmas treat by the Charlotte Zolotow Award-winning team who first introduced you to Clever Beatrice.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Canada

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2006

About the author

I am the author of 9 Young Adult novels, 6 picture books & more on the way in both genres. I have also published reviews, essays and poetry. My best known books are the CLEVER BEATRICE picture books, for which I received many awards and prizes, including the CCBC Charlotte Zolotow award for best writing in a picture book. Recently, I was given the Gwen Frostic Award by the Michigan Reading Association for my contributions to literacy in my home state of Michigan. I have two grown children and live in Grand Haven with my husband Richard Joanisse.

I am the author of FOUR SECRETS,a book about the aftermath of a school bullying incident with graphic novel-inspired illustrations by Bill Hauser.
I am currently promoting my new title with Carolrhoda Lab, BEETLE BOY, about a different kind of bullying, the parental kind, and one boy's long journey out of childhood to escape it. Kirkus called the book "Disturbing and riveting" in a starred review. Starred review Publishers Weekly. Cited as a book of week for Sept 1 from PW.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based upon the French Canadian folk traditions of northern Michigan, Margaret Willey's Clever Beatrice series celebrates the exploits of an intelligent, spirited young girl. In A Clever Beatrice Christmas, Beatrice promises to prove the existence of Père Noël to her three new friends, by bringing them one of the bells from his sleigh, one of the buttons from his cape, and a clipping from his beard. But has Beatrice finally met her match in Père Noël...?

I enjoyed this third picture book devoted to Beatrice's adventures, both for the chance to spend more time with this winsome character, and for the delight of witnessing the Christmas rituals of her community. The sleighing, the making of the Bûche de Noël, and late-night caroling, were all very pleasing. Heather Solomon's illustrations continue to charm, with their rich palette and expressive details. Recommended to all readers who have enjoyed the other Beatrice books.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story in the Clever Beatrice series by Margaret Willey and Heather M. Solomon. It has a Christmas theme and shows how Beatrice uses her wits to help convince local children about Santa's existence. I thought it was a fun tale and I love that Santa was wise to her actions.

The narrative is fun to read aloud and the distinctive illustrations complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about Christmas traditions We really like Heather Solomon's illustrations. One thing that bothered me about this book: Was Beatrice being clever trying to get things from Pere Noel? Is lying/fibbing clever? Of course, Pere Noel knew what she was up to, but that didn't smooth things out for me. My daughter liked the book a lot and it had a really sweet ending.

[Lily Brown-Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the original story and I love this one just as much! It’s so SWEET! And the art is stunning! And père Noël 🥺 and the END! All is perfect 🎄❤️

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best part of reading this was learning about some French-Canadian Christmas traditions.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

age 4 and up-French Canadian setting.

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute winter story about a clever girl interacting with Pere Noel.

[BuggaBoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but a little weird how Beatrice was stealing from Santa

[Marcelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE Clever Beatrice! She is SO clever and funny. I will look for more books about her to enjoy with my kids who were delightfully surprised by how clever she was. I read it aloud several times over the holiday season, every time with a French Canadian accent, which my kids just loved--my college theatre diction and voicework classes are being put to good use!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever Beatrice matches wits with Santa Claus.

themes: Christmas, cleverness, community, friends

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as clever as the others, but a very nice Christmas book. The Quebecois traditions give it a pleasant depth. Recommended to read aloud to ages 5-7.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first when I saw this I thought: the illustrations look just ok, and I don't really like that name, Beatrice. After reading it I thought: wow, that was good, I love it! :)