Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed
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Book Reviews of Red Ranger Came Calling
Book Review: A great book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Berkeley Breathed's father told him a story of Christmas 1939, and this book is that (tall) story. In 1939, his young father was a great fan of Buck Tweed, the Red Ranger, protector of the 23rd century, and was known himself as the Red Ranger. For Christmas he wanted an official Buck Tweed Two-Speed Crime-Stopper Star-Hopper bicycle. But, it was the Depression, and such a gift was not likely to come. Hearing that Santa Claus had retired nearby, the Red Ranger set off to confront him, complete with death-ray/dart gun and red-stained pajama top. This is the story of that confrontation.The story of this book is absolutely hilarious! (My son and I laughed mightily when the Red Ranger panicked and shot Santa in the forehead with his dart gun.) Also, the illustrations are masterfully done, and are at least as funny as the story itself. My seven-year-old son loved reading this book, which was perfectly written for one of his reading ability. As a matter of fact, the last picture has him wondering about the truth of this fantastic yarn!
Though this book might seem to have the lesson that one should believe in Santa Claus, its true lesson is one of caring about others and their feelings. This is a great book, and one that should be given to all families.
Book Review: Berkeley Breathed's Christmas Magic
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Christmas: Belief goes both ways
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember standing in a bookstore (remember bookstores?) one Christmas season and noticing this book in hardcover on the bottom shelf in the cartoon section. I recognized Berke Breathed's name from Bloom County and thought it'd be worth a look see. I'd missed his sharp sarcastic wit since he retired Bloom County.I stood there for a good 30 minutes reading the book from cover to cover, every single page. Beautiful, humorous writing; hilarious artwork... and a message. You didn't really get that much during the Bloom County days.
When I got to the end I was in tears. My sister was shopping with me, and I called her over and said, "Read this from the very beginning, every word, don't peak ahead. Stand here until you're done". Soon we both had tears in our eyes
What a funny beautiful way to describe what the love of Christmas does for us:
Sometimes folks need something to believe in.
Sometimes folks need someone to believe in them.
Book Review: Red Ranger Came Calling
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an AWESOME story for kids and grown-ups alike--for all the right reasons! Berkeley Breathed weaves such a rich and colorful tapestry with his words and the illustrations will make you "fall on the floor laughing!" It is a delightful Christmas story about the human experience and one of enlightment without any deep religious undertones. It's old-fashioned in the respect that it has a "moral." It's tickles one's fancy because the story is based on an actual "thing" that can be visited with wonder and intrigue. I know because my family had to make a "pilgramage" years ago to see it with our own eyes!!
As a Realtor in the Portland, Oregon, area I make it a habit to give this book to clients every Christmas...whether they have kids or not! You certainly won't be sorry for the purchase and I truly believe you're getting an excellent value for the cost. Enjoy!
Leslie Newberry
Cell: 503-349-2727
Book Review: i still believe
Summary: 5 Stars
i firmly believe that had breathed wrote this with adult characters it would not have made the same statement. introduce the child as the main character and it gives us license to bring out the child in us all. the child that was hurt, jaded, and long ago lost the ability to believe in anything magical. i think that is why we pick this up for ourselves and others. i think that is why we stand and cry in the middle of a bookstore. because deep down inside that belief is still there. it just needs to be warmed and nurtured and brought to the surface.
of course, this is not the true meaning of christmas. but i believe in a round-a-bout way it is. it is about belief. it is about a feeling. isn't nice that as grown-ups we can still believe?