Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

12/15/09

A Christmas Treasure


A few years ago, I discovered what has become my favorite children’s Christmas-themed novel: The Great Christmas Kidnapping Caper by Jean Van Leeuwen. The story follows the ongoing antics/adventures of a mouse named Marvin the Magnificent and his two cohorts, Raymond and Fats, who made their first appearance in The Great Cheese Conspiracy and who also appear in three other novels, all of which are fast-paced and funny and make great read-alouds. Good quality copies, reasonably priced, are hard to find (the book was published in the Seventies) but a full-cast audio edition came out a few years ago, so if nothing else you can always turn on the Christmas lights, snuggle under a warm comforter, and listen to a great Christmas story!

5 comments:

Edie Hemingway said...

Thanks for this fun recommendation, Mark. Especially the audio version!

Christy said...

Just looking at the typography design of this book I can tell it's from the 70s. It's fun to find old gems.

Stephanie said...

Looks like one kids would love!

Lauren said...

I have never read this book! I will look for it-- I love Christmas stories!

David LaRochelle said...

That's a new one for me, too, Mark. I'll keep my eyes open for it.