The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza

by David Shannon

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This year, the Merriweather family is really going to celebrate Christmas. Instead of simply trimming their tree and hanging a holly on the door, the Merriweathers decide to decorate their whole house. And decorate they do, with colored lights, candy canes, giant snowmen, and a fifty-foot Santa...and soon the family's Christmas extravaganza is the talk of the town!
Award-winning artist David Shannon presents a visual holiday feast-and reminds us that the real joys of Christmas are the people we love.

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

David Shannon is the author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has appeared on numerous book jackets. Shannon is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He and his wife now live in Los Angeles.


David Shannon @ Scholastic

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost every neighborhood has one of those houses. You know the one I'm talking about - the one that is bedecked, festooned, and embellished to within an inch of its life for Christmas. And, confession time here - in my neighborhood, that house is my house.

Meet my husband!



Well . . . he's not quite that bad. But, he does adorn every bush, and one of the smaller trees with lights. He puts out plywood snowmen - in a Calvin and Hobbes inspired scenario, they are aghast at their swiftly melting comrade. My hubby sets up wooden elves, Santas, and a penguin. Only his fear of heights keeps him off the roof, and going the full Griswold. The funny thing to me is how infectious this thing becomes: we move into the neighborhood, and normally staid households suddenly feel the urge to string lights, and buy inflatable reindeer. Before long, the decorating war is on. Why, just the other day, I caught this good-natured exchange between my husband and the guy next door:

Neighbor: Next year we're getting an inflatable merry-go-round.

Husband: We're putting in a nativity scene with live animals.

Neighbor: (Apprehensively) What kind of animals?

Husband: Smelly ones.

I guess my point is - it's easy to get carried away with these things.

Take the case of Mr. Merriweather. One Christmas, he hangs one string of white lights around an outside window. When his neighbor across the street chides him for his "shrimpy little string of lights," Mr. Merriweather decides to kick it up a notch. A really BIG notch.



And, before long, his display is attracting carloads of visitors, and causing anything but a silent night. Younger children may find it a bit upsetting when the neighbors go all torch-and-pitchfork, and things get pretty scary. Happily, it all ends in the spirit of peace and goodwill. Shannon's artwork is always a treat, and the painting on the last page is priceless.

If you live near a home like mine, take heart - January is coming soon. It's a quiet month. Quiet, and very, very dark.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites ☃️❄️🎄🎁🎅🤶

[J9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Shannon is quickly becoming another one of our favorite children authors. Both my 5 yr old and twin 3 yr olds loved it. The story held my 5 yr old captive while the beautiful pictures held my 3 yr olds entranced. Between a level 3 and 4 book, this is not a beginner's reader book, however a wonderful Christmas tradition could be started through an adult reading. This is one I plan on adding to my "to buy" list.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Merriweathers are decorating their home for the Christmas holidays. However, Mr. Merriweather goes a little overboard when creating his Christmas Extravaganza...and reaps the wrath of his neighbors. This definitely reminds me of the film Christmas Vacation....in a miniature children's book version. It's a fun story with great illustrations for children and adults! And....it teaches a good lesson in the end. :-)

[Jools Holmquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my kids’ favorite Christmas books, and it’s a really fun one to read out loud.

A guy gets a little obsessed with decorating his house and things go kind of wrong.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

One strand of white Christmas lights was all it was supposed to be...

Awesome Christmas read for upper grades (I used it last year with 4th, 5th, and 6th and it worked for all for all of them. Right now it lives at 4th grade) about things getting carried away. Like other Shannon books, some of the faces get a bit creepy, but mostly they fit the tone.

Really dig this one, only knocked off a star because it gets a little wordy in places and because you have to read a totally cheesy line about his kids being his real treasure. Ugh.

Find this one up; you'll like it.

If you use it as a readaloud, and I suggest you do, might I also suggest having the kids play judge: let's say the neighbors did decide to sue and you're the judge--who would you side with? I usually play devils advocate a bit and at the end I have them vote.

[Josie Wettig · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza" by David Shannon was a fun read, though I thought it was just okay overall. The story is longer than many picture books, and I think it might be better suited for kids who have a longer attention span because there’s more happening on each page. Even though it didn’t grab me as much as some of Shannon’s other books, I still liked the message behind the story. The illustrations are lively and colorful, which makes the holiday setting feel festive and exciting. Shannon packs a lot of detail into the pictures, and young readers will enjoy looking closely at all the scenes. The character’s expressions and the chaotic Christmas moments add humor and help bring the story to life. What makes this book meaningful is its focus on giving, kindness, and the spirit of celebration. The events show how working together and caring for others can make a big difference. It's a message that fits well with the holiday theme. I would recommend "The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza" for upper elementary students like 3-5th grade, but especially those who enjoy longer picture books or holiday stories. As a future teacher, I would include it around the winter season to support lessons about cooperation, kindness, and holiday traditions.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I miss this book until now? Absolutely beautiful illustrations with a wonderful story on how we can get sucked into a competitive spirit and miss the true meaning of Christmas. One little string of lights turns into a fiasco as a neighbor's comment starts a Christmas decorating war which morphs into a traffic snarling, electricity sucking display that causes the neighbors to use violence. This might be a little scary for young children, but older kids will enjoy the craziness of the displays and how Mr. Merriweather changes from a kind, loving father into this obsessed person who doesn't even take a break to watch his kids in a Christmas pageant.
I found it interesting that the neighbor who entices Mr. Merriweather to start the decorating war is the same one who leads the neighbors in the revolt. There is no one who tried to mediate. And it really is a crime to destroy someone's property. I thought the comment from another reader on discussing the story from a court like approach and deciding what might have happened if the neighbors had taken him to court had appeal.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Shannon is a master of crafting colorful stories, interesting characters, and fun children's books. You can look at A Bad Case of Stripes as another example of a great Shannon book with a similar art style to the Amazing Christmas Extravaganza. This is the story of mild mannered man who begins competing with his neighbors by decorating his house in increasingly creative and dramatic ways until the whole neighborhood suffers. This is a great Christmas story because it involves themes like obsession, family, creativity, and forgiveness. I think the descriptions and illustrations of the decorations inspire creativity and imaginative thinking. This book is a fine addition to any elementary level library as this book is entertaining just with the pictures let alone the words of this well-crafted Christmas story.

[Brianna Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable as it showed how people can get carried away during the holiday season and not pay attention to what is truly important. I was reminded of the Christmas light show where neighbors compete to be the best decorated house for Christmas. So much money is spent and time is taken away from family and friends as people focus on decorating. The holidays are a time to spend with one another not just decorating. Which is what this story in the end reminds everyone of as all come together and admit decorating can be nice and fun but doesn’t need to be a burden or hindering to your time celebrating.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Merriweather gets carried away with his outdoor Christmas decorations after a neighbor makes a disparaging remark about his string of lights. Shannon's story and illustrations work well to capture Mr. Merriweather's journey from someone who enjoys the simple yearly tradition of decorating a tree to the frantic obsession of non-stop competitive decorating. The vertical double page spread is pretty amazing while the neighbors' anger is a bit scary. Surprisingly this is not a sentimental Christmas picture book, but will leave readers thinking about how we go about treating others. Also the last page will definitely put a smile on your face!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. Merriweather goes on a Clark Griswold jag to outdo his neighbors with Christmas decorations, ignoring his family while he pursues his own obsessive ambitions and spending a fortune to satisfy his own selfish desires. No wonder he incurs the wrath of the meanies in the neighborhood, who end up destroying the display on Christmas Eve. What part of this story celebrates the Christmas spirit? Lavish illustrations emphasize the ex-cess in the ex-travaganza.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I were intrigued reading this story about a family who goes overboard in decorating their house for Christmas (aka Clark Griswold) in this important message of Christmas. In the end, it's not about the lights and things we have but the people we have around us. Great story!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderfully illustrated story is about a family - the Merriweather family - who decorated simply for Christmas -- until one year Mr. Merriweather got very carried away! Enjoyable story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas book where a man really over does his decorations. "I guess I got carried away." He learned there is being able to celebrate a holiday without bothering everyone in your neighborhood.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Christmas book

[McKenzie Cooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading stories with my kids for Christmas. This was too long for a toddler but an older 7-10 year old would enjoy. Great way to teach about simplicity and not getting carried away in the holiday’s.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the story. Very fun. One additional star for the illustrations. Awesome!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my class today. It is a good reminder that we don't need all the things, only our loved ones around us. Was a good story. Quick read, students liked it.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We really enjoy reading David Shannon's books, so when I saw this Christmas-themed tale at our local library, I just had to borrow it. It's an entertaining tale and a cautionary one as well. I'm afraid that we go to (almost) the opposite end of the spectrum for decorating and while I remember cajoling my dad into putting up lights on the house when I was a child, we have yet to do so ourselves. At least we decorate a bit inside the house, although it doesn't go much beyond putting up the tree.

The narrative in this story was a bit overwhelmed by the garishly colorful illustrations that show just how crazy a person can get with decorations. There are a few homes around us who get a bit wild, but none can compare to the Merriweather household in this story. It's a fun story to read aloud, and while it's not our favorite book by Mr. Shannon, we enjoyed reading it together.

[Brittney Warf]

Mr. Merriweather is trying to make his house the best house with the most amazing Christmas decorations. He has lights that blink on and off, lights of all colors, candy canes, stars, ornaments etc. He is so focused on decorating hes house that he misses all the cool things going on the neighborhood. Finally all the neighbors have a meeting and decide that the decorations are becoming to much to handle, but before they can do anything about them there is an earthquake and all of his hard work is destroyed. In the end he is happy that his family is safe and he just want's to spend time with them. I love this story because it shows you the value of family and how close family members become around the holiday season.

[Matthew West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a neighbor rivalry during Christmas. Mr. Merriweather puts a small amount of lights on his house which creates his neighbor to mock him. Merriweather decides not to back down and plant even more Christmas decorations on his house and yard which makes his neighbor so mad he and some friends decide to destroy his decorations. However, calmer heads prevail and the situation is remedied. This is a great book to read to your students during Christmas time. Asking your students to grab a box of crafts and to draw their own house with all the Christmas lights they can fit on the page provides for a lot of fun and interesting pictures.

Shannon, D. (1995). The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

[Westcoast_girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a GREAT story.

The story is about a family who, every year, puts up a little string of twinkling Christmas lights. One year, however, the dad decides to go bigger and bigger. More and more. It isn't until his decorations use up all the electricity on their block that his competitive practice is put into perspective. The story goes full-circle when it ends with their house having just a little string of twinkling Christmas lights.

This book teaches a good lesson about consumerism, greed, and competition. It helps remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. This doesn't mean it's a sad, drab, or preachy book though. Instead is is outrageous, funny, and entertaining.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny how one little comment can set someone off to go overboard. This is a funny yet serious tale about decorating your house up at christmas. The heart of the story is a reminder of what is really important at Christmas.

It is a great read and wonderful illustrations. David Shannon was able to project all of his own ideas into the illustrations. It must have been so much fun for him doing them. I am a big fan of Duck on a Bike and this one lives up to it.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was this man who wanted to decorate this house and he said I'm gonna get this house decorated really well. And then he decorated the house for days and days and days and it looked amazing. He never stopped. But maybe somebody doesn't like his house. Read this story to find out if someone is annoyed and if they will break the decorations.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly illustrated (David Shannon outdoes himself) story of the Merriweather family one Christmas, when a single string of lights turns into a crazy adventure. It has a sweet message of how easy it is to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. One of my favorites.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brought back fond memories of driving around with my family to see the Christmas lights in my hometown. We sometimes wondered what the neighbors thought of the bigger productions. Now I know.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This morning we talked about our favorite family Christmas picture books from our Christmas Countdown tradition. This book was in the top five books.

See the other books at:

http://bookdivabooks.blogspot.com/201...

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first Mr. Merriweather decorated his house with so much lights and even a fifty foot Santa behind the house but on Christmas Eve all the people in the village didn't have enough electricity. Read on to find out what the people in the village do.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. I fondly remember sharing this book with students at the beginning of my librarian career, so sad it's out of print now. Would pair well with the tv decorating contest. Somewhat sappy, lush paintings, Duck on a Tractor like ending.