Red Ranger Came Calling

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Summary: Berkeley Breathed's Christmas Magic
Review: Berkeley Breathed is an artist with complete mastery of the written word and the visual image. His talents brought him wealth and fame and a Pulitzer Prize from his wonderful work on the 'toon "Bloom County". Feeling an itch for something a little different, Mr. Breathed began working on children's books and this picture book couldn't be more delightful if you had combined the talents of Gary Trudeau, Norman Rockwell and Dr. Seuss.

The Santa in this story isn't the robust, jolly old North Pole Elf from many other tales. In fact, he is a little infirmed and being looked after by the other elves. His hearing is less than perfect, and one of the key moments in the book comes when he thinks he hears "treed" when our hero Red Ranger has actually said "tweed". But by the end of the tale I felt myself getting a little choked up as Santa and Red come through for each other and restore each other's faith in the spirit of Christmas.

The illustrations are fanciful and colorful and allowed me to read a book which SHOULD have been way over the head of my 3 year old niece. She immediately made me read it again, then promise to read it to her again tomorrow.

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Summary: A Christmas classic in my family
Review: Every Christmas Eve my father would read "The Night Before Christmas" and bible story of Jesus's birth. I was a lovely family tradition, but it needed breath of fresh air.

I discovered "Red Ranger" in a book store long before I had children and bought it for myself. I read it to anyone who would listen and bought copies for friends and family with children.

It's such a magical story - and SO funny! The illustrations alone are hilarious works of art. The end really blew me away.

Now my four year old daughter can't wait until Christmas Eve to read it. We read it every night in December. And every night she believes a little bit more.

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Summary: A New Christmas Tradition - Red Ranger Came Calling
Review: How could you not believe after reading this one of a kind "there is a Santa Claus" book? This is Berkeley Breathed at his best - luring you into the story until you are rooting for the happy ending. And along the way, you'll find the magic that one little boy brought back from Santa in the most unexpected way. I won't give away the ending - but don't peek at the last page. Not only is a picture worth a thousand words, it is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and warm your heart. One for a gift and one to keep - I'm glad I bought two!

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Summary: A Cure for Cynicism
Review: I'll confess right here ... it's usually tough for me to get into the Christmas spirit. And most Christmas books for kids strike me as either lame attempts to rehash worn-out imagery... or stories which are really written for adults to recapture some "warm fuzzies" from their memory banks (never mind the kids, thank you).

This book must contain some powerful stuff ... if it can get a cynical crumudgeon like me to read it over and over to my son. Breathed begins his story with the moping, skeptical, don't-trust- anyone-too-much attitude which I immediately find familiar. But... then ... he magically weaves an unlikely tale which transforms that feeling into one of genuine hope. The "Santa" character is wonderfully (and appropriately) ambiguous. The reader,as well as the story's narrator, is not quite sure whether this guy is the real thing -- or yet another impostor. He doesn't fit the mold, that's for sure. But he does come through (at least it seems it was him) in the end. Oh sleighbells! Don't just take my word for it, read the gosh-darn thing, marvel at Breathed's quirky illustrations. And then feel the swell of hope, which is more than just wishing for nifty presents. A sure winner for children of all ages!

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Summary: Red Ranger Came Calling : A Guaranteed True Christmas Story
Review: This is my favorite book of all time. It touched me from the very first time i read it and a piece of it is always with me. I just resently read it to a class of highschool freshman, and they all fell in love with it too. Its amazing, it made me believe in Santa for the first time in years, imagine what it can do for you.

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Summary: The Best Christmas Story EVER!
Review: Though I purchased this book because I am a long-time fan of anything Opus, this marvelous creation has nothing to do with Opus whatsoever. This tale of a cynical depression era boy is filled with twists and turns young and old will love. The artwork is exceptional, the story creative, and the ending a surpise which will warm the heart of the most confirmed Scrooge.
This is, by far, my favorite Christmas book. Buy several and give them as gifts - I have!