It is hard to make sense of this holiday-themed book. The moniker "Auntie Claus," splashed as it is across the cover, is attention-getting. Who is this Auntie Claus? What sort of modern Christmas tale is this, one might wonder? Unfortunately, the story itself disappoints. Sophie Kringle has to decide between being the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker at Miss Crumpet's School for Young Ladies and Gentleman or going on her annual seasonal "business" trip with Auntie Claus. But Auntie Claus does not see it that way. She decides to stay in New York for Christmas because, she says, "You can have your cake and eat it too. At Christmastime that is the rule!" Soon, Auntie Claus seems to be running Christmas from the hotel. Many strange visitors arrive, including the real Sugar Plum Fairy. Initially eschewing sweets, she is coaxed by Sophie to eat some cake and other goodies. Time passes and we are told that "Red is the new black! New York is the new North Pole!" Christmas snow falls, threatening Sophie's performance at her school. The Sugar Plum Fairy has eaten so many sweets that she can no longer fit into her tutu. Sophie feels guilty, knowing that the Fairy could fit into her tutu. It seems a moot concern when the tutu is blown out of her hands and onto the tip of the hotel. Fortunately, Santa arrives and gives Sophie a lift to retrieve her costume. She gives her tutu to the Sugar Plum Fairy so that Christmas in New York is not ruined but then cannot perform in her school play. Auntie Claus proclaims she has the solution to this problem and whisks Sophie off to the North Pole, where she dances around in her coat. It seems the book's inhabitants find this to be a most agreeable conclusion, but I felt it was a muddle. It is hard to see how the solution fits the problem at all, and that is not the only problem with this book. How is it that the adult Sugar Plum Fairy's overindulgence in sweets plumps her out to the size of a very young girl? Was the fairy ridiculously skinny before? Was Sophie unhealthily overweight? What does any of this mean? It must mean that sequels are all the rage. The star of Auntie Claus and its sequel, Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas is back. Odds are good her longtime fans may pick up this title, too. But smart shoppers unfamiliar with this series will stop to read between the covers and will not be adding this book to their holiday traditions. This Christmas children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.
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| Auntie Claus, Home for the Holidays |
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