Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #407474 in Books
• Published on: 1990-10-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The words "Take good care of the baby, Carl"--practically the only words in Day's books about the lovable rottweiler--trigger giggles of delight from readers of all ages. And though Carl's Christmas has much in common with its predecessor, Carl Goes Shopping , the new book has charms all its own. Carl is imbued with enough "good will towards man" to warm a whole town, and on Christmas Eve he and his infant charge venture forth to spread holiday cheer. Carl donates a basket of goodies to the needy (the baby contributes his hat), then lends his "voice" to a group of carolers. Back at home, awakened by strange sounds, Carl investigates; his expression as he comes face-to-face with his first reindeer is priceless. While this may not be Carl's most original adventure, it's still a delight, bound to please the good dog's old friends--and win him plenty of new ones. All ages.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
" 'We're going to Grandma's and then to church. Take good care of the baby, Carl' " is the opening and sole text for this wordless story of the canine Carl and his babysitting talents. In the parents' absence, Carl gives the baby a ride downstairs where they decorate a potted plant. Then, the unflappable dog gets the baby into his outdoor outfit and they're off to town. Once home again, Carl greets the cow-faced reindeer, ushers Santa through the door, helps disperse gifts, and sees the jolly old fellow off up the chimney. Day's paintings are fond renderings of the rottweiler and his baby charge in their modern-day, old Victorian mansion. Readers may wonder how a dog gets a baby into sleepers and up on his back for the ride to bed, but no matter in this fantasy. Carl lovers don't ask questions--capable Carl can do anything.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Carl the big black dog is babysitting once again, this time on Christmas Eve while his owners go to church...The canine and his charge have a wonderful time...The visual depth of the illustrations gives this sweet book an appeal beyond its primary audience."--Booklist "A delight, bound to please the good dog's old friends-- and win him plenty of new ones."--Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews

Animals as babysitters
I tried this once, where I left the kids with the cat while I went to see my parents (who definitely didn't want to see their grandkids), it didn't work as well as a Rottweiler because when I got home the kids were crying because that stupid cat didn't even feed them. Their diapers hadn't even been changed. This book gives a false impression that if you leave your kids alone with your pet they will go all sorts of places and be taken care of, let me tell you maybe Carl is really special but I have know just a select few who can leave their kids with their pets, and actually have their kids provided for.

Carl;s Chritmas
Excellent illustrations - allows prereading skills to develop before connection to print is made.

Kids Love the Impossibility of It
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.