Carl's Christmas

In spite of the reservations of some earlier reviewers, I'd say our kids love the Carl books precisely BECAUSE nobody would use a rottweiler as a babysitter or as a pint-sized saddle horse for a toddler! We laughed and made a big deal to our kids that nobody would ever do any of this. It is a bit over the top to consider this a dangerous book. If you've ever read the stories made up by very young children, in fact, these are quite tame. They enjoy thinking about being in control and what wild things they could do if the grown-ups weren't around. It's not as if your kids are going to try balancing a cake in the air while standing on a ball or will try flying a kite indoors after reading "Cat in the Hat." Although the pictures are realistic, these books are in that league. PS The art in these books is beautifully and lovingly done, almost love letters to dogs and young children. They are a pleasure to look at, regardless of your age.

A absolutely WONDERFUL book! One in a series of "Carl" books, that are beautifully illustrated and "told" in the most lovely way for young readers...thru the illustrations! My son totally enjoyed this book when he was much younger (which did NOT prompt him to try and ride our 2 Rotts, as some seem to have a problem with) and it has become an absolute favorite for one of my nephews, who is 3 yrs. old...the "adults" who write in ridiculous unproductive reviews, as has been posted here in the past, and need a forum to discuss child endangetment issues, need to find another venue...this is not the place; Childrens books, for the most part, have always been based on FANTASY! Parents help by teaching their children the differences between fantasy and reality...yes, even to 2 year olds! If the thinking of a few "joyless" people who have posted their "reveiws" here in the past on this book was the norm, then I guess Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, et. al., should be "arrested" for child neglect too, for kids might try jumping off roofs to fly! Go Carl!!!PS...And here's a thought: if you have children sitting on your pets, as the reveiwer from Stockton CA (reveiw posted Nov. 26, 2002) has a problem with, and can't get the kids to stop, then maybe it is time to do your pets a favor and find them new homes!

Of course no one would leave his/her baby with an ordinary dog--but this is CARL! Carl can dress the baby and care for the baby. Let's face it. The story is totally make believe. Santa arrives at the home too and leaves by traveling up the chimney. I don't suppose I would expect that in real life either. The illustrations are lovely. There are very few words in the book, so it is fun to tell the story in your own words. I think Carl's Christmas as well as the other Carl books are charming.

Alexandra Day does such a fine job with Carl and the little babies in her books. Carl's Christmas is the cutest book she's published. I own a Rottweiler and have a 3 month old so it really hits home reading about Carl's adventures. All of Ms. Day's books are just great and open the imagination of all readers!

The pictures in the book are brilliant! Carl has all those real expressions we rott owners know so well. He is everything the breed is. The pictures are perfect though and that makes the whole book. Miss Day is very talented in my opinion.