Jack and Santa

July 1, 2020
"But, Santa, can't you just let Jack be Jack?" And as revealed in this holiday-themed entry in Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series, the answer to that question is nope. Why should Santa reward the bratty behavior Jack (along with readers) has reveled in over the course of six books? It's a lump of coal for you, kid. Will Jack see the error of his ways? Just when we think he might...nope again. Vigorous lines, a mock-scoldy tone, and a cheerful Christmas palette provide a seasonal treat for fans (but don't start newbies here; go back to Hi, Jack!, rev. 1/20).

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2020
"But, Santa, can't you just let Jack be Jack?" And as revealed in this holiday-themed entry in Barnett and Pizzoli's easy-reader series, the answer to that question is nope. Why should Santa reward the bratty behavior Jack (along with readers) has reveled in over the course of six books? It's a lump of coal for you, kid. Will Jack see the error of his ways? Just when we think he might...nope again. Vigorous lines, a mock-scoldy tone, and a cheerful Christmas palette provide a seasonal treat for fans (but don't start newbies here; go back to Hi, Jack!, rev. 1/20). Roger Sutton

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2020
Jack is back, and he's on Santa's "BAD list." Barnett and Pizzoli's rascally rabbit Jack returns in a seventh title in their early-reader series. This time, readers discover that while the Lady and Rex the dog (with whom Jack lives) are on the nice list, Jack is on Santa's naughty list. (In deference to emergent readers' skills, the text labels these the "GOOD" and "BAD" lists.) There's also another list in this story--Jack's wish list, which spills over from one page onto the next two. "Oh boy. That's a long list," reads the wry text, which then goes on to speculate as to whether Jack will receive anything but coal. The story that ensues is well paced and accessible to new readers, its brief chapters cleverly interrogating the very premise that anyone might be wholly good or bad. Barnett's textual restraint allows Pizzoli to ramp up the humor as pictures highlight just how bad Jack has been--and how good. The result is a humane and humorous secular Christmas story that offers the gift of supporting readers' burgeoning decoding abilities with a well-developed, comical story. Both the Lady and Santa present White. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-13-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) You better watch out for this excellent early reader. (Early reader. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.