Friday, December 14, 2012

You Better Watch Out...Santa!: THE SANTA TRAP by Jonathan Emmett


Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the site that aims to be on “Nice” list as opposed to the “Naughty”, unlike our little friend in today’s selection.




Remember when the days of writing letters to Santa (as opposed to emails…*grumble*) was a right of passage?  You know, simply a part of the whole holiday ritual.  Write letter to Santa.  Check!  Send it off to the North Pole.  Check!  Leave out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots with celery for the reindeer.  Check!  Those were the days.  Perhaps you are still writing them yourself (if so, yay!) or are helping to instill this cherished tradition within the little ones in your life (if so, double yay!)?  Any way you look at it though, you’re not only carrying on something children have done for ages around the world but reminding them (and yourself perhaps?) that good behavior should be practiced throughout the year…whether presents hang in the balance or not.  Something our little star of the day should have thought more than twice about.  Without further ado, today’s book of choice is…



By
Illustrated by



Twas TEN DAYS before Christmas.
Or eleven depending on how you figure;
ALL the creatures were stirring,
With spoons, straws and finger. (ßEww, I know…it rhymes, just go with it)

Hot chocolate for me
Flavored coffee (blech) for you
Anything warm and delightful
To just get us through.

Through what, you might ask
Why this cold winter’s night;
When creatures are stirring
With all of their might!

What’s with all the stirring?
I’m getting there silly
Just be a bit more patient
Not so willy nilly.

The creatures doth stir
For they know in their hearts
Santa’s arrival is eminent
And the gifts he’ll impart.

But not this year,
If Bradley Bartleby has his way;
Santa will go DOWN his chimney
Just not out the same way.

He has plans for our elf
All jolly and red
And they do not include
A slice of freshly made nut bread.

No, this year he intends
To get just what he wants;
No more socks for this fellow,
Nor even elephants.

In fact he has given
His plan much much thought
And if things go his way
It means presents for us, not.

For who will deliver
The toys in the sleigh
Without a lively quick driver
Leading the way?

That’s right my dear readers
He intends to do him in,
But then again when has Santa
Let someone else win?

He’s a crafty old man
He’ll know just what to do
To avoid the menagerie
Of tiger teeth and elephant poo.

So fear not my friends
For Christmas will live to see another day
Despite the worst intentions of
One Bartleby, Brad-ley.



Whew!  That was an exercise and a half.  ^_^  Here’s hoping you enjoyed it as much as I; now on to the nitty gritty of this review. 

If you hadn’t caught on, I ADORED this book; not loved, ADORED.  The story itself is fantastic if dark because of Brat…I mean Bradley’s disposition.  He’s a spoiled little man from day one, in fact I’m surprised he was even receiving socks from Santa…COAL might have been too good for all the bad deeds he committed.  From biting the midwife to tying up the mailman and a good dozen or more in between, he is the representation of “bad to the bone” through and through…and yet Santa being the kind hearted soul he was still kept him in his gift-giving rotation.  Such a nice guy, that Santa…unlike the trap creating little boy about to get what’s coming to him… 

The steps young Bartleby takes to ensure this Christmas is not filled with warm footwear are creative if not disturbing and you can’t help but wonder how the jolly old elf will pull through.  Don’t worry kiddos, he does (so your presents will be safely delivered on Christmas…yay!) and with much finesse.  I won’t tell you how for seeing, in this case, is believing, but it’s astounding, hilarious and entertaining all at once.  The illustrations only make it even MORE enjoyable depicting Bad Boy Bartleby perfectly, well to me anyway, and all his devious plans.  I remember seeing this one on the cover of the publisher’s catalog and thinking, I MUST know what book that is from!  I simply MUST!  Just take a look at it up there…it says it all without ever uttering a word.  Marvelous indeed!

In conclusion, a GREAT new addition to anyone’s holiday reading list, only with a twist.  You’ll be shocked by his antics, surprised by his dedication (little guy definitely has follow through!) and laugh your holidays socks off at how things turn out in the end.  Recommended read for all ages as it works to remind little ones to be on their best behavior; slightly older ones that while you might not always get what you wished for Santa will not forget you; and older older readers that the magic of the season isn’t in the getting it’s in the giving.  This book is available now from Peachtree Publishers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.


ARC for review courtesy of Emily at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog of wish list worthy material, be sure to visit them online, check out their blog, pin them on Pinterest, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  ALSO, be sure to check out Bradley’s Twitter feed for the BrAdvent Calendar contest where FIVE lucky tweeters will be chosen to win a copy to call their own. 

Until next time…happy reading!



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