It's Christmas, David! (David Books [Shannon])

You'll either love David or Hate him - there are no in betweens with this character who stars in a number of books. Some reviewers have described David as frightening with his small black eyes and large sharp teeth. Others feel he would be a bad influence on their children. One reviewer was unhappy that after a day of misbehaviour, David is rewarded with a hug in the original story. These books are completely unique. I have never found any other books even remotely like these. I love the David Books though, and so do my sons. My oldest (age 6) says they were the very best of his picture books, and his favourites until James Bond. Even though he is rapidly outgrowing picture books, he still enjoys these, despite the fact that we read them almost every night. My youngest son says the No David books are the best books in the world. The oldest, at age 6 can read the very large black crayon type print with ease. At three, my youngest obviously can not read this, but he can recite it word for, only stumbling on one page with an exceptionally long text. Most of the pages have only one simple sentence, which is very clearly illustrated by the drawings, so this book is ideal for those just learning to read. "It's Christmas David" is the latest addition to our David collection. In this book, it is Christmastime, and while David seems to be a good hearted child, he is just one of those kids who is always in trouble. The cover depicts him knocking down the Christmas tree as he reaches for a candy cane. The first page begins " At Christmastime everyone said ' No David !' ". Each of the following sets of two pages depicts David doing something he should not - from trying to peek at his gifts and get into the Christmas cookies early to running down the street in his boots, mittens and a woolen hat - but nothing else! David writes his name in the snow - making large yellow letters, breaks a window in a snowball fight and causes general havoc where ever he goes. Will he be on Santa's Naughty list? Will he end up with a stocking full of coal? I think these books are wonderful for making children fall in love with reading. The books are completely unique and will have a wide range of appeal - what child doesn't secretly enjoy watching some one else be very naughty? But they will especially appeal to boys who are turned off by the overly sugary sweet fare so often offered to children. Of course there is a place for lovely gentle stories - but I believe there is also a place for wild, irreverent, even subversive, and hysterically funny books. Perhaps these books do set a bad example, but the children always recognise the behaviour as naughty, and it is not malicious. All children misbehave at times ( and very much want to at others). I think it is fair enough to show that even when children make mistakes - they are always loved and valued, and I think this book does just that. I think it is healthy for children to understand that occasional misbehaviour is part of childhood. No child should be expected to be perfect. Everyone does things they should not at times - and that includes grownups! I also think, from an adult point view, this can help us remember to see the humour in such situations, as well as remember how we would have felt as a child. David has an irrepressible energy and is the type of boy that drives parents to their wits end - but he is also full of life and energy - and sometimes we forget what it is like to be so young and full of curiosity. This is a book that will have children even stitches, but even adults will be hard pressed not to have a small laugh or two. It is a wonderful change of pace from the ordinary reading material presented to children and I can not recommend it highly enough. All the same if the idea of a book full of misbehaviour makes you cringe - you'd be well advised to avoid this one.

The David books are based on the childhood experiences of author David Shannon, and the illustrations tell the story perfectly, along with a few choice phrases. In this case, the phrases include "no peeking," "no snitching," "be patient," and many others that most of us can relate to from our own childhood memories, or even some phrases we've probably had to use with our own children. In addition to being reminded what is expected of him with Christmas just around the corner, David has a bad dream that Santa brings him a lump of coal for being naughty. Of course, there is a very happy ending for David, with a lovely picture of him in his mother's arms once more. Not only is the David book series entertaining for the whole family, but the brief phrases in big writing make these great books for beginning readers. We've been getting the David books for our son for the past few years, and now that he is five, he is able to read most of the words by himself. Some of our other favorites include Oh, David! and No, David! .

The children in my pre school love this range of books .

Verdaderamente genial. Para aquellos que les gusta No, David y que están empezando con el inglés, está muy bien. Llamativo, frases cortas y fáciles...

My kiddos love this book and get a kick out of David. A fun Christmas book to add to the seasonal rotation.

The quality is pretty good and my daughter is so happy with it.

Good book! The kids like it

En rolig bok som eleverna älskar. Har haft den som sagobok inför jul i årskurs 2. Det är mycket att tala om på bilderna.