Naughty Claudine's Christmas

by Patrick Jennings, Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator)

Claudine doesn't think Santa should be allowed to just barge into her house-that's not polite at all! The only way to keep him out? Get on his Naughty List . . .

If you think about it, Santa is a pretty rude guy. He watches you while you sleep. He withholds presents if he decides you weren't good this year. And he sneaks into your house! Uninvited!

Claudine wants none of it-she is determined to keep Santa away from her house this Christmas! And the only way to do it? Be as NAUGHTY as possible. Too bad Claudine's actually a pretty good kid at heart . . .

This out-of-the-ordinary perspective on the beloved holiday figure will have kids rolling with laughter, while letting them know that it's okay to have an opinion different from the norm!

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens

26 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2017

Reviews

[Senator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking on the uncomfortable thought of a stranger breaking into your house -- even if it is jolly Saint Nick, Naughty Claudine's Christmas gleefully tells the sweet and amusing tale of compromise while keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. In short, this is THE new addition you must have on your holiday shelf!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claudine wasn't very impressed with Santa Claus. He spied on people, judged whether they were naughty or nice, and broke into their homes (even if it was to deliver presents). Determined to keep him out this year, she determines to be naughty, in order to get on his bad side. Unfortunately for her, she's an essentially good child, and a few naughty tricks can't fool Santa...

Author Patrick Jennings takes an unconventional approach to the Santa story in Naughty Claudine's Christmas, spinning a holiday tale that fearful and/or sensitive young children, worried about incursions by strangers in the home, might find very relatable. The accompanying artwork by Suzanne Kaufman is colorful and appealing, capturing the sweetness and sense of humor in Jennings' story. Recommended to anyone looking for new Christmas picture-books, especially those that address Santa's visit.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike her peers and her older sister, Maxine, Claudine is not all that impressed with Santa Claus. After all, he secretly watches what others are doing, even when they are asleep, and breaks into people's houses to deliver presents. To her, it all adds up to some shady doings, and she wants nothing to do with the jolly old elf. When she realizes that Santa might be prevented from a visit if she is naughty, that's exactly what she proceeds to do, acting out in uncharacteristic fashion. But Santa has been paying attention, and there are still some surprises in store for her on Christmas morning. Some youngsters may get a kick out this book with its brightly-colored illustrations and a protagonist who takes matters into her own hands to fend off Santa. Honestly, I can relate to this humorous book. I often found it disturbing to think about some stranger coming into my house to deliver presents and worried that he might take things or bother our dogs. Although it's probably unlikely that most youngsters feel the same way, it's comforting to know that I wasn't alone in my concerns about this man and this holiday experience. It made me good to share this book with some worried little ones as the holiday approaches in order to allay some of their fears.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennings, Patrick Naughty Claudine’s Christmas. PICTURE BOOK. Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. Random House, 2017. $17. 978-1101937341

Claudine likes Christmas presents like any child, but she doesn’t like Santa watching her or sneaking into her house at night. She decides that only way she can stop him is to be as naughty as possible.

What delightful change to the traditional Christmas/Santa romp! I loved Claudine’s concerns and she was adorable in her naughtiness as a little child can be. This is definitely a holiday keeper!

Pre-K – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this creative twist on traditional Christmas stories, there’s a little girl who doesn’t want Santa to come to her house. She’s a little weirded out by the concept of Santa sneaking around and spying on children, so she’s determined to keep him from coming. And the only way she can think of is by being naughty. Young readers will definitely giggle at some of her antics, and older readers might be sympathetic to the rest of her family. The vibrant, cheery illustrations will make this one a fun one to share during story time.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are bright and colorful.
The story falls a little flat for me. Claudine is not thrilled that Santa spies on them and comes into their home uninvited. She decides to be naughty so he won't come. This causes a problem with her sister. Fortunately, Santa is wise enough to find a compromise

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, the idea of Santa watching you while you sleep and sneaking into your house should be alarming and off-putting to us! I like Claudine and her scheming to keep Santa away. The ending was pretty cute too. I only wish she hadn't been singing "Silent Night" but I can easily sing a different holiday song when I read the story.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claudine didn't like Santa - mostly that he came down the chimney at night and that he knew everything she did. She decided to be naughty to keep him away, but her sister wanted presents! When there were no presents under the tree on Christmas morning, no one was happy, including Claudine. Cute ending to this very nicely illustrated story.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty good lesson - I hadn't considered that some kids might be nervous at the thought of Santa creeping around their house at night, and I like that Claudine's parents actually took her concerns to heart!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seasonal book that limits its use in which Jennings (who wrote the Guinea Dogs series) tells the story of a girl's effort to keep Santa from coming into her house on Christmas Eve by being naughty. Kids might enjoy her antics, but may not have much appeal after the holiday season.

[Roben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claudine wants Christmas presents – but she is not so sure about Santa breaking into the house and eating up the cookies. (How rude!) So she decides to be naughty to keep Santa away. Sure enough – Christmas morning dawns with no presents. But is it really that easy to fool Santa?

[Lacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me: ....people let their kids get away with stuff like this???

Also Me: *remembers* the time I was a cashier and a small child slapped their mother in the face because she wouldn't buy what they wanted and all the mom did was sigh

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see Claudine's point: she's not opposed to the Christmas spirit, but she doesn't like Santa's trespassing, so she'll try to be naughty to avoid him from coming. The innocent bystander is Claudine's sister. Will a compromise be found?

Fun story.

[judith leaming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why buy this book that starts out so well but ends so flatly? The illustrations are the saving feature and bring the book to life BUT a little more thought about an ending would be the saving grace for this book.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

[Maggie Ignasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute concept and the illustrations really help move along the plot of the story. I would recommend it to patrons for sure.

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute! I liked the ending.

[Monika Kozlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creative. Funny. Loved it

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging illustrations which probably outweigh the story. Kids will enjoy it.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: holiday, humor
Ages: 2-4th grade
Pub year: 2017