Bah! Humbug?

by Lorna Balian, Lecia Balian

Margies bossy older brother, Arthur, believes that Santa Claus is a humbug and he plans to prove it by creating a trap to catch him. But Arthur might be wrong about Santa after all.

Lorna Balian's charming story is reissued with full color added by her daughter, Lecia.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book about a sister and brother. The sister believes in Santa, brother doesn't. Brother convinces his sister to join him in setting a trap for Santa ... to prove he's not real. So, they do. To find out what happens, read the book! :)

The blurb says it is for ages 5-8, but today's so-called sophisticated (jaded) children might not be enthralled all the way up to 8 years old. I'd suggest it for the much younger set. :)

One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.

5 Stars = For sentimental reasons.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one as much as I hoped to after having been charmed over Thanksgiving with Balian's Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers The illustrations here are quite adorable and make me super-nostalgic for my '80s childhood for some reason... but the story is a tad predictable and features the typical mean-bossy older brother and scared-conforming little sister as he makes her sit up with him on Christmas Eve, laying boobytraps so they can find out if Santa is a humbug or not. Of course, there is a "happy ending" but somehow it just didn't really win me over.

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In an effort to keep my library from getting rid of the last Balian book in their collection. It's not at all a bad book. And I love the illustrations' sub-text.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margie’s brother Arthur tells her Santa Claus is a phony. So they set a trap for him. It is an elaborate scheme but Margie knows Santa will come because “Aruthr’s wrong a lot of times.” Santa shows up while Arthur is asleep in a series of textless illustrations.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a very old copy of these which was discarded from a library and it's so, so darling. The illustrations and story itself are both very charming... just so very cute!

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bah! Humbug? is a holiday picturebook by written by Lorna Balian and illustrated by her daughter Lecia Balian. Margie is a young girl who writes to Santa in hopes of receiving a new teddy bear, as her much loved bear Herold is a little threadbare. Her big brother Arthur thinks that Santa Claus is fake, and plots to prove it. Threats and teasing force Margie to go along with Arthur's plan. However, in the wee hours of Christmas morning Arthur just might be proven wrong, and Margie could receive a present better than anything she could have requested.

I know the Christmas season is over, but I just got to this book and had to share my thoughts. The illustrations are delightful and perfectly match the warm feelings of the tale. I found Bah! Humbug? to be endearing, and think it would play very well in families with children of many ages. This would be a great read in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and whenever sibling bullying might become an issue. During the holiday season, this book could keep believers and doubters from getting into battles, but Margie's gift could also serve as a wonderful lesson about what we really want versus what we request.

[Stacie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Bah Humbug, in exchange for review from netgalley.com. The book was written by Lorna Balian and Lecia Balian and published by Starbright books. The book is about Margie and her brother Arthur. Arthur believes Santa is a big, fat humbug and develops a plan to trap him. Margie goes along with the plan because Arthur threatened her (just like any big brother or sister). Arthur is very creative, kind of like Kevin in Home Alone. The graphics are colorful and the font is black, italic, kind of child-like. The book was a quick, easy read and the kids loved it. The book also has an interesting middle and end lol.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi had just moved into this new home for her and her kids.
Next door was Kyle, writer of Jared Strong. The kids loved his books.

His mom had died from cancer 22 years ago at Christmas. His family did not celebrate Christmas anymore. Lexi fixed dinner and helped him to share his feelings, as she did her feelings from her family. The family were trying to share the love of their mother.

In the snow, the family made snowmen where he asked Lexi to marry him.

It was so cute. This is a good book.

[Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are simply delightful.
A big, cynical brother threatens a little, believing sister into setting a trap to determine the veracity of Santa's existence. Turns out, the brother falls asleep and the sister helps Santa w/out tripping any traps. It's so sweet.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever story with illustrations about a younger sister who shows her brother (who thinks Santa isn't real) that he doesn't always know everything when Santa comes down the chimney in the middle of the night while the brother sleeps.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margie believes in Santa, but her bossy older brother Arthur doesn't. To prove his point Arthur sets a trap to catch Santa, and forces Margie with empty threats to help him. On the night in question Arthur falls asleep, and Margie's belief in Santa is reassured.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific tale for the non-believer. Charming and funny with that all important ingredient, Christmas magic!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family favorite at this time of year.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another darling story by Lorna Balian. My favorite is still "Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers," her Thanksgiving offering. In this one, the teddy bear solution satisfies.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written story by Lorna Balian. The illustrations are fantastic. I haven't read her other works, but I'll be certain to get them. I loved the story.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute but probably wait until kids are doubting Santa.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on my blog:

http://buildinglifelongreaders.blogsp...

[Clyde Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite read alouds!!!

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

11/25/2016 ** I"m choosing a book to read at a community event. Hmmm. This is one is light-hearted; it will bring grins.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a cute little story about a younger sister who shows her know- it-all brother that he doesn't really know everything. I loved Herold!