Product Description

Christmas is coming but someone is playing tricks! Torn stockings and broken candy canes reveal that The Christmas Humbugs have arrived at this holiday home. But do not fear, lively rhymes and merry illustrations by Colleen and Michael Glenn Monroe lift spirits and let readers know that not even the Humbugs can dampen Christmas cheer. (20021230)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #826655 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Amazon.com
Illustrator Michael Glenn Monroe has called his Christmas Humbugs out of retirement--a fuzzy bunch of tiny pranksters that first appeared in Monroe's high school sketchbooks--to take part in a fun Christmastime caper, ably recounted by Monroe's storytelling wife, Colleen.

Each year, the Humbugs (who look sort of like furry green grapes with wings and red jelly-bean noses) search out "cheerful houses" in which to cause mischief. But the Humbugs "aren't trying to be nasty, in fact the opposite is true, they're testing Christmas spirit and how strong it is in you." The Humbugs flit around as they break candy canes, unravel stockings, sneak peeks at Christmas packages, and even eat Santa's cookies (although "drinking Santa's ice cold milk isn't as easy as you'd think, if the Humbugs are not careful they might fall into the drink").

It's not surprising that Michael Glenn Monroe has hung onto this story for so long, given how cleverly it explains away the many frustrations of the season--and his playful details, like the Humbugs' jingle-bell antennae and red and white striped socks, reveal a Christmas spirit obviously in good working order. Colleen Monroe stays right in step with her artist husband, making fun references to "humbug rodeos" and some serious but not too smarmy asides ("The Humbugs know true spirit isn't bothered by their tricks, the tiny pranks they play take just a little time to fix"). (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Review
"...humorous enough to keep even the grouchiest amoung us from saying 'bah, humbug!' this holiday season..."
-- Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA) (December 8, 2002) (UNKNOWN 20021215)

"Anyone whose holiday spirits need a lift will enjoy this book..."
-- News (Ann Arbor, MI) (December 30, 2002) (News (Ann Arbor, MI) 20021208)

"...The colorful artwork is outstanding in this 32-page picture book... each page generates a smile."
-- Standard (Aiken, SC) (December 15, 2002) (Standard (Aiken, SC) 20021208)

"...young children will love the mischievous humbugs, and their parents will appreciate the sentiments of the tale."
-- Chattanooga Times (December 8, 2002) (Chattanooga Times 20021208)

"...Monroe's vivid and whimsical artwork brings the little tricksters to life in technicolor glory..."
-- Vindicator (Youngstown, OH) (December 8, 2002) (Vindicator (Youngstown , OH) 20021201)

"...lively rhymes and merry illustrations lift spirits and let young readers know that even Humbugs can't dampen Christmas cheer..."
-- Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI) (December 8, 2002) (Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI) 20021201)

"...Children will enjoy the picture of humbugs bowling with glass ornaments and switching gift tags on neatly wrapped presents. It's mischief, but it's merry."
-- Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) (December 2002) (Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) )

"...The poetry makes The Christmas Humbugs a good read-out-loud book to beginning and non-readers."
-- Rochester Eccentric (December 2002) (Rochester Eccentric (Rochester, MI) )

Card catalog description
Magical creatures known as the Humbugs do mischievous things to test a household's Christmas spirit.

Customer Reviews

very cute!
I thought this story was a brilliant idea. The illustrations are colorful and funny. I think the humbugs will capture children's imaginations. Younger children might be trying to stay awake to catch humbugs now, instead of just Santa Claus.

Only problem I had with the book was at times the rhyming of the narration was a bit forced and so in reading it I lost the tempo and thus a little enjoyment.

Fun book!
Fun book for kids & adults. Enjoyable to read & a good reminder that the little vexations around the holidays don't have to ruin your Christmas spirit. I'm going to buy a bunch of these as presents.

Magically Funny!
This book is a delight! I purchased it for my grandchildren last Christmas (2004)and they couldn't get enough of it. "Read it again, Grandma!" They laughed, searched for the humbugs in the tree and examined each and every beautiful picture for hiding humbugs. I took it to read to my preschoolers at school and they giggled and paid rapt attention - not an easy feat with 3 & 4 year olds. I'd recommend this book for anyone - a small child or a grownup with a child's heart hidden inside - as a Christmas classic to treasure!