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The Rover Adventures #2
Rover Saves Christmas
When Rudolph comes down with the flu, it's up to Rover the dog and the Mack children to help Santa complete his Christmas deliveries.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
14 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Roddy Doyle
127 books1,647 followersRoddy Doyle (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Dúill) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993.
Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.
Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 22, 2011
Is it wrong that I want to keep this book I bought a kid for Christmas? It's freaking hilarious! So I'm reading along, laughing a lot, and I stopped to read the back of the book again. Because there's a lot of wink-wink-nudge-nudge humor in this for adults, I thought Scholastic was making a funny when they listed the author's other books, and wrote "(winner of the Booker Prize)" next to one, and I was all like "haha that's a pretty highbrow joke," and then I was all like "oh wait, holy cow this is *that* Roddy Doyle, the ACTUAL Booker Prize winner, wait he writes kids books?"
It was a fun little moment.
This book is pretty droll, and I wonder if the humor might go over the heads of the US kids to whom this particular edition is marketed. There's a glossary in the back to explain the Irish slang/vocab, and it's funny. There are chapter subheadings that are funny, and there's a funny bit about borrowing an owl from a kid named Harry Potter.
Well played, Mr. Doyle, well played.
There's even a little teeny bit of sappiness along with the chortles, and a bit of a geography lesson as Santa and Rover (the dog) travel around the world delivering gifts.
Haha, just remembered one part where directions to a house are given. One house. Out of all the houses. Hilarious.
Read it!
Sorry, Nolan. This one might go in my stocking.
It was a fun little moment.
This book is pretty droll, and I wonder if the humor might go over the heads of the US kids to whom this particular edition is marketed. There's a glossary in the back to explain the Irish slang/vocab, and it's funny. There are chapter subheadings that are funny, and there's a funny bit about borrowing an owl from a kid named Harry Potter.
Well played, Mr. Doyle, well played.
There's even a little teeny bit of sappiness along with the chortles, and a bit of a geography lesson as Santa and Rover (the dog) travel around the world delivering gifts.
Haha, just remembered one part where directions to a house are given. One house. Out of all the houses. Hilarious.
Read it!
Sorry, Nolan. This one might go in my stocking.
November 28, 2019
Una storia natalizia molto divertente più che per la storia in sé per lo stile di Doyle, pieno di digressioni, personaggi buffi e trovate originali che piacciono ai bambini, ma che fanno sorridere anche gli adulti. Ancora mi aspetto qualche rimostranza da parte del Capitolo 6... E un attimo, vado a sistemare il papillon di magneti al frigorifero, che ha deciso di fare colpo. ;)
December 24, 2010
Although there isn't as much poo in Rover Saves Christmas -- one of the great selling points of Roddy Doyle's first Rover adventure, The Giggler Treatment -- there is enough poo for fans who crave continuity. Rover, after all, begins Rover Saves Christmas as a genius multi-millionaire who got rich selling his poo, then there are references to Winnie the Pooh in three languages, and even some fart jokes along the way. Poo is still well represented, but I am derailing my review of Rover Saves Christmas.
"Get back on track, Brad."
"Okay. I will."
So ... Rudolph, the hippy layabout, is on strike because he's been working too hard (one night a year, as Rover mockingly points out), and Christmas is in jeopardy, so Santa employs Rover's quick wit to help him through the Christmas Eve deliveries. Rover brings his crew, his boys and their baby sister, along with their parachuting toddler neighbour (who can only say "Bum-bum!" How fitting.), and together they help save Christmas, doing all the work for Santa while he eats cheese sandwiches in every country of the world.
They bungee jump down chimneys, distribute their labour equally (it's a lot of work to eat never-ending plates of cheese sandwiches), drop gifts at the end of beds using their tongues, bring joy to grandparents they've never actually met, and race to beat the Sun to Tiera del Fuego.
There are the usual misdirections, odd side journeys (an ongoing war over the best toothpaste), wacky supporting characters (like the long tongued lizards named Hans and Heidi), and multiple endings (one sappy, one horrible, one politically correct to make your parents happy and then the real one), and enough potential voices to stretch even the most imaginative parent's repertoire.
And it is a blast to read, the kids love it (Brontë and Miloš both wanted me to pass on that they would give it five stars too), and reading it just before Christmas is perfect.
"So did you like it, Brad?"
"I sure did. And now I am off to take a poo! And so should you."
"Get back on track, Brad."
"Okay. I will."
So ... Rudolph, the hippy layabout, is on strike because he's been working too hard (one night a year, as Rover mockingly points out), and Christmas is in jeopardy, so Santa employs Rover's quick wit to help him through the Christmas Eve deliveries. Rover brings his crew, his boys and their baby sister, along with their parachuting toddler neighbour (who can only say "Bum-bum!" How fitting.), and together they help save Christmas, doing all the work for Santa while he eats cheese sandwiches in every country of the world.
They bungee jump down chimneys, distribute their labour equally (it's a lot of work to eat never-ending plates of cheese sandwiches), drop gifts at the end of beds using their tongues, bring joy to grandparents they've never actually met, and race to beat the Sun to Tiera del Fuego.
There are the usual misdirections, odd side journeys (an ongoing war over the best toothpaste), wacky supporting characters (like the long tongued lizards named Hans and Heidi), and multiple endings (one sappy, one horrible, one politically correct to make your parents happy and then the real one), and enough potential voices to stretch even the most imaginative parent's repertoire.
And it is a blast to read, the kids love it (Brontë and Miloš both wanted me to pass on that they would give it five stars too), and reading it just before Christmas is perfect.
"So did you like it, Brad?"
"I sure did. And now I am off to take a poo! And so should you."
April 7, 2013
I'm now seventeen years old and I found this book again while going through my shelves - I got it for Christmas when I was six or around that (can't remember), and I thought then that it was genius. Seeing it now, I only want to read it again. I really hope that kids are still reading this book because it's one of the best ones that I can think of from my childhood. It's not too long, but there are so many laughs that it's just absolute quality. I've never come across anything like it since. It's such a unique book in sense of the humour, and if there are any parents out there wondering whether to get this for their kids - do! It's great, and you'll probably enjoy it just as much as they do.
Now excuse me while I go and flick through the magic that Rover Saves Christmas is for a good laugh that can be hard to find these days.
Now excuse me while I go and flick through the magic that Rover Saves Christmas is for a good laugh that can be hard to find these days.
February 7, 2019
Not as good as the first Rover but close.4.5 stars
December 19, 2020
Part of my 2020 Reading Challenge: a funny book
This is my absolute favorite from my childhood. I want to read it every Christmas. Hilarious for both children and adults. It was fun to read this as an adult as I caught on to some jokes that I had not noticed/understood as a child.
My copy is the French version "Le chien au nez rouge".
This is my absolute favorite from my childhood. I want to read it every Christmas. Hilarious for both children and adults. It was fun to read this as an adult as I caught on to some jokes that I had not noticed/understood as a child.
My copy is the French version "Le chien au nez rouge".
January 2, 2012
Read all three of the Rover Adventures trilogy and it is funny and way out there. You aren't sure where the story will go next. Brings the child in you out for certain in a bit of a twisted kind of way. Reading the Giggler Treatment, Rover Saves Christmas followed by The Meanwhile Adventures provided information from the previous books that flowed into the third. Put a smile on my face just picking up the book.
December 22, 2016
Este livro é excelente! Uma divertida história de Natal! Miúdos e graúdos devem ler! Adorei!
December 26, 2024
Lettura surreale e divertentissima, scritta per i ragazzi ma godibilissima anche per gli adulti!
Il cane Rover, accompagnato da quattro bimbi, guida la slitta di Babbo Natale per aiutarlo a consegnare i regali in tutti il mondo durante la notte più magica dell'anno.
Un libro un pò folle che è riuscito a farmi ridere molto!
Menzione speciale per il capitolo 6 (in tutte le sue varianti)...chi ha letto il libro mi capirà! ^_^
Il cane Rover, accompagnato da quattro bimbi, guida la slitta di Babbo Natale per aiutarlo a consegnare i regali in tutti il mondo durante la notte più magica dell'anno.
Un libro un pò folle che è riuscito a farmi ridere molto!
Menzione speciale per il capitolo 6 (in tutte le sue varianti)...chi ha letto il libro mi capirà! ^_^
December 26, 2024
Irish humor, I was surprised to see that this was published in the early 2000s. This story about Rover the dog and four kids who travel with Santa one Christmas when Rudolph is under the weather read more like a story from the 1980s or 1990s. The humor (IMO) is over the top. References to Guinness beer.
December 30, 2020
Best Christmas book ever, don't fight me on this.
January 13, 2019
Quirky, snarky, amusing, and some kids will really love it.
December 27, 2013
Rover salva il Natale è il secondo libro di una trilogia che comprende anche Il Trattamento Ridarelli e Le Avventure nel Frattempo. Sul mercato è possibile trovare le tre opere accorpate, ma, nonostante questo, la storia di Rover si legge benissimo senza bisogno di conoscere le vicissitudini descritte negli altri due. Riassumo velocemente: scaltro cane irlandese Rover deve sostituire la renna Rudolph - la migliore di quelle che Babbo Natale usa per trainare la sua slitta - la notte in cui i bambini di tutto il mondo aspettano trepidanti i propri regali. Ce la farà? Aiutato da Jimmy e Robby Mack - due discoli di Dublino -, le piccolissime Kayla Mack e la sua amica Victoria, e due lucertole che cambiano il nome a seconda della temperatura, Rover ce la metterà tutta per far sì che i giocattoli siano consegnati prima che il sole sorga.
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October 29, 2024senza dubbio uno dei libri più belli che abbia mai letto
December 24, 2020
I think this book would be a great introduction to longer novels- it's 146 pages, but there's a mix of pictures in with that, and relatively large writing. The narrative structure is also very interesting- the narrator occasionally switches focus from the main storyline to different perspectives within the story, or sub-stories to keep the reader interested. The main story focuses on Rover, a dog, and his owners, as Rover replaces Rudolph, and helps save Christmas. There's also use of information boxes to provide context whenever there's a thing in the book children may not be familiar with (for example, at one point in the book the pawpaw fruit is mentioned, and right there on the page below it, there's an information box saying what a pawpaw is, but with a humorous non-fictional information piece on potatoes, a concept the majority of children would be more familiar with). All of these add interest- there's no opportunity for kids to need to put the book down to go and find out what something means, and the added humour makes the book hard to put down anyway.
There's also interesting narrative structure in terms of differing lengths of chapters, with some, such as chapter 10 being just one page long. The book can appear to be random at times, with 'Commercial breaks' and random 'useless' chapters (Chapter 12 is only 2 lines long "I'm not telling. It's a secret". but I like this, I think it adds interest, and prevents any monotony that can come from a straightforward novel, especially for any children who aren't sued to such a long storyline.
Good life-to-text links, because obviously a core aspect of this book is Christmas, which most students will be very excited about. The book is also set in Dublin, with the weather being heavily discussed in the first chapter, which would also be relatable to children in England. There's also text-to-text links; there's the obvious links between this book and most Christmas stories of Santa and his reindeer, but there's also links to the other books by Roddy Doyle, meaning that children who've read his work before will also be interested.
There's also interesting narrative structure in terms of differing lengths of chapters, with some, such as chapter 10 being just one page long. The book can appear to be random at times, with 'Commercial breaks' and random 'useless' chapters (Chapter 12 is only 2 lines long "I'm not telling. It's a secret". but I like this, I think it adds interest, and prevents any monotony that can come from a straightforward novel, especially for any children who aren't sued to such a long storyline.
Good life-to-text links, because obviously a core aspect of this book is Christmas, which most students will be very excited about. The book is also set in Dublin, with the weather being heavily discussed in the first chapter, which would also be relatable to children in England. There's also text-to-text links; there's the obvious links between this book and most Christmas stories of Santa and his reindeer, but there's also links to the other books by Roddy Doyle, meaning that children who've read his work before will also be interested.
March 12, 2025
Esilarante. Specialmente nelle prime 40 pagine.
Il non-sense del primo capitolo è da antologia e mentre lo si legge ci si ritrova a ridere da soli, con la voglia di avere qualcuno vicino con cui condividerlo.
Non avevo mai letto Roddy Doyle e devo dire di essere rimasta totalmente catturata. Ha un’abilità mai vista nel raccontare con scioltezza cose assurde e nel creare situazioni incredibili (compresa la pubblicità del dentifricio tra un capitolo e l’altro, un capitolo che diventa vecchio via via che si procede con la lettura, dediche assurde all’inizio di alcuni capitoli – e solo di alcuni, perché a volte va di fretta -, scherzi e dispetti fatti ai lettori, etc.).
Io mi sono innamorata delle lucertole Omar e Heidi, che cambiano nome a seconda della temperatura, e dei cactus di Dublino.
Ma nel complesso il libro è tutto frizzante e totalmente folle (Tu chi sei?).
Si tratta di una sorta di seguito de Il trattamento Ridarelli (che non ho letto, come avrete capito, visto che questo è il mio primo assaggio di Doyle), in cui era protagonista sempre Rover, il cane ozioso ma scaltro che risolve ogni problema (se ne ha voglia e forza). Ma si può leggere anche separatamente (io l’ho gustato alla grande anche così).
Ogni capitolo è abbellito dalle illustrazioni di Brian Ajhar (che lavorerà con Doyle anche ne Le avventure nel frattempo, terzo della serie di Rover). I suoi disegni sono talmente importanti che lo stesso Ahjar appone una dedica all’inizio del libro sotto a quella di Doyle.
Nonostante la totale pazzia della storia, il finale è riuscito comunque a commuovermi e a farmi riflettere sulla festa del Natale con il passare degli anni. Un messaggio che forse i più giovani non colgono, ma che agli adulti lascia qualcosa (assurdamente forse) di molto profondo.
Per la recensione completa visita il mio blog: https://dilettanicastro.blogspot.com/...
Il non-sense del primo capitolo è da antologia e mentre lo si legge ci si ritrova a ridere da soli, con la voglia di avere qualcuno vicino con cui condividerlo.
Non avevo mai letto Roddy Doyle e devo dire di essere rimasta totalmente catturata. Ha un’abilità mai vista nel raccontare con scioltezza cose assurde e nel creare situazioni incredibili (compresa la pubblicità del dentifricio tra un capitolo e l’altro, un capitolo che diventa vecchio via via che si procede con la lettura, dediche assurde all’inizio di alcuni capitoli – e solo di alcuni, perché a volte va di fretta -, scherzi e dispetti fatti ai lettori, etc.).
Io mi sono innamorata delle lucertole Omar e Heidi, che cambiano nome a seconda della temperatura, e dei cactus di Dublino.
Ma nel complesso il libro è tutto frizzante e totalmente folle (Tu chi sei?).
Si tratta di una sorta di seguito de Il trattamento Ridarelli (che non ho letto, come avrete capito, visto che questo è il mio primo assaggio di Doyle), in cui era protagonista sempre Rover, il cane ozioso ma scaltro che risolve ogni problema (se ne ha voglia e forza). Ma si può leggere anche separatamente (io l’ho gustato alla grande anche così).
Ogni capitolo è abbellito dalle illustrazioni di Brian Ajhar (che lavorerà con Doyle anche ne Le avventure nel frattempo, terzo della serie di Rover). I suoi disegni sono talmente importanti che lo stesso Ahjar appone una dedica all’inizio del libro sotto a quella di Doyle.
Nonostante la totale pazzia della storia, il finale è riuscito comunque a commuovermi e a farmi riflettere sulla festa del Natale con il passare degli anni. Un messaggio che forse i più giovani non colgono, ma che agli adulti lascia qualcosa (assurdamente forse) di molto profondo.
Per la recensione completa visita il mio blog: https://dilettanicastro.blogspot.com/...
September 4, 2022
This was one of my absolute favorite Christmas books when I was growing up. I spent many a Christmas Eve staying up wayyyyy past my bedtime reading this delightful story. Now, as an adult, I look back on this with fond memories & I look forward to reading this out loud to my future kids. And y'all, let me just tell you--this book BEGS to be read out loud.
The story absolutely cracks me up at times. (The chapter 6 thing gets me EVERY time.) What I lovr about the humor is that it is witty, and it isn't over the top. If you can read this book without cracking a smile...you're wrong.
The humor & the silliness are what make this fun for kids, but I also really love the underlying message. Part of the magic of Christmas is believing & hoping in the impossible. Here, Santa is pretty sure Christmas is doomed for the rest of forever, but with a dog & his kids, a little creativity & a little trust...nothing is impossible.
A silly, feel-good tale, this book is a MUST to add to your Christmas traditions!
The story absolutely cracks me up at times. (The chapter 6 thing gets me EVERY time.) What I lovr about the humor is that it is witty, and it isn't over the top. If you can read this book without cracking a smile...you're wrong.
The humor & the silliness are what make this fun for kids, but I also really love the underlying message. Part of the magic of Christmas is believing & hoping in the impossible. Here, Santa is pretty sure Christmas is doomed for the rest of forever, but with a dog & his kids, a little creativity & a little trust...nothing is impossible.
A silly, feel-good tale, this book is a MUST to add to your Christmas traditions!
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December 31, 2022Rover Salva il Natale
Autore:Roddy Doyle
Pag: 160
Rudolf una delle renne di Babbo Natale è malata e quindi non può guidare la slitta la notte del 24 dicembre mettendo a rischio il Natale. Ma Babbo Natale ha la soluzione 3 cioè quella di farsi aiutare da Rover, un cane di Dublino.
Accade quindi che all’improvviso Rover venga trascinato in Lapponia da un elfo assieme ad altri quattro bambini pronti a fare qualsiasi cosa pur di aiutare Babbo Natale in persona…
Un racconto per bambini molto carino e divertente,l'autore è stato simpatico anche a raccontare con scioltezza cose assurde creando anche cose incredibili come la pubblicità del dentifricio tra un capitolo e l’altro, un capitolo che diventa vecchio via via che si procede con la lettura, dediche assurde all’inizio di alcuni capitoli ma solo di alcuni, perché a volte va di fretta , scherzi e dispetti fatti ai lettori.
Ogni capitolo è abbellito da simpatiche illustrazioni
Nonostante la totale pazzia della storia, il finale è riuscito comunque a commuovermi e a farmi riflettere sulla festa del Natale con il passare degli anni. Un messaggio che forse i più giovani non colgono, ma che agli adulti lascia qualcosa di molto profondo.
Autore:Roddy Doyle
Pag: 160
Rudolf una delle renne di Babbo Natale è malata e quindi non può guidare la slitta la notte del 24 dicembre mettendo a rischio il Natale. Ma Babbo Natale ha la soluzione 3 cioè quella di farsi aiutare da Rover, un cane di Dublino.
Accade quindi che all’improvviso Rover venga trascinato in Lapponia da un elfo assieme ad altri quattro bambini pronti a fare qualsiasi cosa pur di aiutare Babbo Natale in persona…
Un racconto per bambini molto carino e divertente,l'autore è stato simpatico anche a raccontare con scioltezza cose assurde creando anche cose incredibili come la pubblicità del dentifricio tra un capitolo e l’altro, un capitolo che diventa vecchio via via che si procede con la lettura, dediche assurde all’inizio di alcuni capitoli ma solo di alcuni, perché a volte va di fretta , scherzi e dispetti fatti ai lettori.
Ogni capitolo è abbellito da simpatiche illustrazioni
Nonostante la totale pazzia della storia, il finale è riuscito comunque a commuovermi e a farmi riflettere sulla festa del Natale con il passare degli anni. Un messaggio che forse i più giovani non colgono, ma che agli adulti lascia qualcosa di molto profondo.
December 31, 2022
È già la notte del 25 dicembre e il Natale è in pericolo perché la renna Rudolph si rifiuta di lavorare; Babbo Natale deve trovare in fretta un sostituto e la scelta ricade sul cane Rover, che vuole portare con sé anche i suoi quattro amici umani. Insieme voleranno in ogni angolo del pianeta per consegnare in tempo i regali di moltissimi bambini.
“Rover salva il Natale” di Roddy Doyle è una breve storia natalizia molto divertente, caratterizzata da personaggi unici; è adatta ai più piccoli, ma godibilissima anche per i più grandi.
“Rover salva il Natale” di Roddy Doyle è una breve storia natalizia molto divertente, caratterizzata da personaggi unici; è adatta ai più piccoli, ma godibilissima anche per i più grandi.
November 30, 2021
Mitä tehdä, kun Petteri Punakuono on heittänyt hanskat tiskiin vuoden tärkeimpänä päivänä? No apuun hälytetään tietenkin Rover, nero koirien joukossa, sillä kuka muu koira olisi tajunnut alkaa myydä omia pökäleitään kepposia tekeville lapsille? Roveria itseään joulun pelastaminen ei kuitenkaan voisi vähempää kiinnostaa, mutta onneksi Joulupukilla on keinonsa suostutella tämä yhteistyöhön. Alkaa huikeaakin huikeampi (ja sekopäisempi) seikkailu, jossa ratkaistaan koko Joulun kohtalo. Eikä unohdeta pitkäkielisiä liskoja saatika "Erittäin ärsyttäviä mainoskatkoja"!
December 21, 2021
I know this is a kid’s book but I’m nearly 40 and enjoyed it just as much as any kid. So funny, even the formal structure of a book has fun injected into it at every opportunity. Festive too. I will be getting this for all my nieces and nephews as Christmas presents in future (so if they read this review - that’s Christmas spoiled for them!)
December 29, 2016
Käsittämätöntä että multa on mennyt tällainen ohi. Puluboi-tyyppinen mainoskimara ja paljon pylly-pylly- juttuja eli ihan mainio. Sesonkikirja joten vaatii hyvät muistiinpanot että kerran vuodessa muistaa (jos niinkään usein). Ääliövinkkarit tää on meille!
April 18, 2019
Pensaba que era imposible reír más que con The giggler treatment, pero me devuelves a Rover, en una historia navideña, que encima te vacila y le añades anuncios de pastas dentífrica entre medias, y es imposible no adorar este libro.
December 11, 2020
This book had me hooked at the last paragraph of chapter one... lovvvvvvvve how it talks to the reader, and the snark mixed with darling Christmas story was perfection!
"The fact is, very few dogs are brainy enough to sell their poo."
"The fact is, very few dogs are brainy enough to sell their poo."
April 5, 2021
The 10yo gives it 4 stars because it was pretty funny but not *really really* funny. Despite this, he giggled his way through the zany chapter titles, the fart jokes and the general silliness. Truth be told, I did, too.
September 15, 2022
Santa has an urgent mission for the ultimate canine entrepeneur in this crazy children's book.
All good children's books are perfectly acceptable reading for adults. All bad children's books should be thrown away.
All good children's books are perfectly acceptable reading for adults. All bad children's books should be thrown away.
December 24, 2016
Christmas, Santa Claus, Rudolph who caught the flu and Rover the Wonder Dog who comes to the rescue... the recipe for a pleasant reading before Christmas.
December 21, 2017
Ein Kindermärchen, welches auch Erwachsenen noch begeistern wird.
December 9, 2019
Thoroughly tongue-in-cheek tale about how Rover fills in for Rudolph when he takes a sick-day on Christmas Eve. Kinda boorish, really.
December 26, 2019
My five year old really liked this book, especially the potty humor bits. It was a fun, silly book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews