How Murray Saved Christmas

by Mike Reiss, David Catrow (Illustrator)

When Santa's knocked out cold by a Jack-in-the-Boxer's walloping punch, deli owner Murray Kleiner reluctantly agrees to take his place. The suit doesn't fit, Murray smells a bit like pickles, and there's no way he can remember the names of all those reindeer. But with the help of a pushy elf and an eager-to-believe young boy, Murray finds out that even though he's not big enough to fill Santa's suit, he's got more than enough heart to get the job done.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Holiday, Kids, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2000

Reviews

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina and I popcorn read this so it counts

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's be clear: this isn't really for kids. They don't get it. There are a lot of funny allusions that kids aren't old enough to understand. Murray doesn't know the reindeers' names and guesses things like Kramden and Norton, Trixie and Alice, and Richard M. Nixon, for instance. Made me laugh, but kids will just give you a blank look at those words. They might laugh a little at some of the more basic jokes, but most of the humor zooms right over their heads.

That said, if you approach it as a funny story for adults, it's pretty funny. (I kind of like the reindeer named Richard M. Nixon.)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute hoot and a great read-aloud for the holidays! I used to read this one to my students at Topanga. Just imagine a Jewish deli owner who has to help deliver all the toys for Christmas because Edison the elf has yet once again invented an invention that goes awry and knocks Santa out on his very own eve.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Reiss is a hoot and the illustrator is FABULOUS!!!

[Janet Meenehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read aloud with your best channeling of an aging Billy Crystal. Very cliche and perhaps a bit dated, but really a classic. Now I need a pickle.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love. I have to find a copy of this book for my own collection. First off it is illustrated by my favourite kids artist EVER David Catrow. So you know it’s going to be funny. The story is in the pattern of Night before Christmas, but Santa has been punched out and his understudy, Murray from the diner must take over. This is a laugh out loud riot of a read that will become a new holiday tradition as soon as I can find a copy outside a library.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +26

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love this book!!! I crack up every time I read Murray trying (and failing) to name the reindeer. 'On Lipstick, on Dipstick, on Richard M. Nixon!'

[Georgina Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and heartfelt. Murray Kleiner will grow on you as he attempts to fill Santa's shoes (and his suit) while making Christmas rounds. This version of Santa smells like pickles and ham, he has no beard, but he is earnest and invested in giving everyone the best Christmas ever while serving fresh pastrami sandwiches with coleslaw, chocolate milkshakes and bagels and lox. A lovely tribute to deli cuisine and all deli workers! This book has now become one of my new favorites at Christmas. The rhyming of the words is similar to the classic poem The Night Before Christmas, but the style is reminiscent of a combination of works from Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl. The pictures are wonderfully outlandish and sweet.

I know there is a Christmas TV special of this story, but it is different from the way I experienced it in this book. If we had a new holiday TV special or a film, I would cast Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, or Morgan Freeman as Murray (Obviously I'm a big fan of Saturday Night Live comedy alums, they made the best work). I would choose Charlie Day as Edison the Elf. If you have different ideas about your favorite actors to cast for this story, share your ideas below in the comments.

[Emily]

Iris loves this book so much, even though I don't think she gets it. The humor is not really my style, but it is pretty funny to hear her wandering around the house talking about Santa's reindeer Richard M. Nixon.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a few laughs, even a chortle this books was ok
Although, It might not end up in Santa's sleigh.

If you're looking for a story that's strange,
This one is definitely in that weirdy range!

[Cheryl Olseth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite children’s Christmas book we read aloud every Christmas Eve.

[James Empson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read this multiple times out loud to the kids at Christmas and it never fails to amuse, even if it is a little dated now, ~20-years after being published

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for our family every year. So funny.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hap's seal of approval!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Bagels and dogs both make appearances. Not the greatest ever.

[Nancy Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to miss here so take your time and read with a child beyond the preschool years. The rhyming text and illustrations add to laugh out loud fun.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny Christmas story in verse.

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when an elf accidentally incapacitates Santa close to Christmas Eve and enlists a Jewish delicatessen owner to fill in for St. Nick? You'll just have to read this delightful book for yourself to find out! (You won't be sorry, I assure you...) The story and the illustrations (by David Catrow) are engaging and just about perfect.

[Sabrina Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas classic!!!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, amusing and fun. Illustrations are fabulous. Not a children’s book, they may not get the allusions.

[Kerryn Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[R Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book to my kids and laughing so hard I was barely able to finish. I can't wait to read it to my grandson this Christmas.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are going to love, love this book. It will have you rolling with laughter as you share the story of an out-of-commision Santa and his stand-in, Murray Kleiner, a cranky, Jewish deli owner who steps in to substitute for the real thing.

Poor Santa is completely knocked out cold when he investigates a toy handed him. It is a Jack-in-the-boxer and it delivers quite a punch. Santa hits the floor with a thud and is unable to function and perform his Christmas Eve duties. His distraught, worried elf contacts Murray, the deli owner and pleads for his help. Murray reluctantly agrees to the plan and that's when the fun begins.

Murray doesn't fit well into Santa's red suit (it's way too big), he smells like a pickle and he cannot even accurately name the reindeer. He calls then Jumbo, Dumbo and Richard M. Nixon just to give you a sample of the wit and humour you are about to encounter). The rhyming beat will have you moving along with the storyline and the illustrations are hilarious and perfect in all ways. The comicality is offbeat and you (the adult) will get a kick out of the book just as much as your child who is being read to. It is a great twist on "The Night Before Christmas", and even more zany if accents are added to the characters when you read the book aloud. I particularly loved the ending when testy Murray adds a new dimension to Christmas Eve by giving presents to the naughty boys and girls too, proving his heart is kind and tender and everyone should be included in the magical night of gift giving. Santa Murray spreads cheer throughout the land on behalf of beloved Santa Claus who we hope will be fit to resume his duties again next year giving Murray the night off.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new book this year and I came across it after I already wrapped our advent books for reading. So the day it came, I put it in the bin of books we've read so far and my ten year old saw it and immediately grabbed it. He said can we read this one AND the wrapped one tonight? Of course we did!! The story is written in the same tune as the classic "Night Before Christmas" verses but with different words of course. It is quite cute and even had me laughing at times for the references that were used. I'm sure my kids (15 and 10) didn't pick up on all of them, but they did like the story. Event though Murray had no idea how to be Santa, he figured it out and even enjoyed helping out Edison Elf after Santa got hurt. Graphics were colorful and the story was cute. This one will be added to the group of books for years to come.

[Stephanie Klaren]

How Murray Saved Christmas is a fun and thrilling book that can keep the attention of even the youngest reader. The book starts out with Santa all ready to deliver toys when an elf shows him a new Jack-in-the-box that ends up hurting Santa and he can't deliver the toys. The elf finds the next biggest guy around, Murray the dinner owner, to fill in for Santa. Murray is on sure and he has no idea how to be Santa or even what the reindeer's names. Murray is just about to quit when at one stop he meets a little boy who changes his mind about being a Santa fill in. Once Murray is up for the challenge he also decides to give all the bad and good children toys this year and it ends up being the best Christmas ever.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny rhyming story that is similar to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, with some silly characters and humorous rhymes. I love the names that Murray gives to all of the reindeer. We love David Catrow's illustrations, too. It's my sister-in-law's favorite holiday book and we read it at her house. We really enjoyed reading this story together.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered this book today when I substituted in kindergarten. The teacher had it in a stack of holiday themed books that she was reading to the students. Told in rhyming verse similiar to The Night Before Christmas, with wonderfully wacky illustrations, it is probably best suited for older children and definitely adults. Some of the funniest parts were way over the kindergarteners heads, but they loved the pictures just as much as I did, which we all found to be hysterically funny.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rhyme scheme for this book was pretty good and I definitely thought some of the rhymes were clever, but I didn't enjoy the overall story. I felt like I had already heard it somewhere else. I think other people might enjoy this book more than I did, but it wasn't for me.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Jennifer Garlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite read-aloud Christmas stories. The offbeat humor always makes me laugh, and it's such a refreshing change from the treacly sweetness of so many holiday children's books. I love Murray's disastrous efforts to name the reindeer and the many sly jokes and allusions that only adults will really appreciate.

[Jo Miller]

A 'Twas the Night Before Christmas twist about how Santa cannot deliver the toys so it is up to a naughty elf and a restaurant owner to save Christmas. Murray has some troubles at first but then realizes what he is doing is a good thing. Murray and the elf deliver toys to ALL the kids and it was the best Christmas ever. Funny word play, colorful pictures.