It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies!: The Book of Zombie Christmas Carols

by Michael P. Spradlin

Yes, Christmas is on its way — and all the little boys and ghouls are dreaming of stockings filled with candied eyes and bleeding body parts. You’d better watch out! Santa Claws is coming to town — and he knows who’s been naughty, who’s been naughtier . . . and who’ll taste best with a nice glass of Chianti!

In celebration of this merry macabre season, we present a peerless compendium of more than two dozen of the most soul-stirring, brain-boiling carols composed specifically for the decomposing. Holiday favorites such as “I Saw Mommy Chewing Santa Claus,” “Deck the Halls with Parts of Wally,” and “We Three Spleens” are guaranteed to lift the spirits of the lumbering, shuffling undead and their temporarily still breathing meals-to-be. So put down your gore-splattered baseball bats and raise your voices in song! And sing loudly — to drown out all the screaming.

Genres: Zombies, Humor, Horror, Christmas, Fiction, Poetry, Music

Audio CD

First published October 27, 2009

About the author

Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute, but, misguided as it may be, I actually expected better. The introduction from Christopher Moore was funny, as usual, and there was a pretty good variety of zombie carols in the book, but it didn't live up to my "OMG! I NEED THIS!" reaction on seeing it. It's a good thing that this is a loaner, because I would have been disappointed to have paid $10 for it. In fact, had I done so, I probably would have (shield your eyes for those with sensitive stomachs) cut out the pictures and used them on Christmas cards or something.

The artwork was great - the zombie remixed songs were just OK. They didn't always match up to the tune of the song that they were supposed to be sung to, and seemed pretty repetitive as well. Lots of toe eating, eye popping, and of course brain consumption. But really, Spradlin, you used "Deck the halls with parts of Wally" both IN a song and AS a song - couldn't come up with anything different? How about "Deck the halls with pounds of Molly" or "Deck the halls with slabs of Polly" or "Deck the halls with chunks of Bobby" even?

Overall, this is good, but not great. I have a feeling that 13 year old boys would just love it. :)

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dumb, dumb, DUMB.
The line lengths and rhymes were totally off, there way more pointless gore than fun, and why in the hell do the ZOMBIES have the fire axes and shotguns???
Not worth the time to check it out from the library.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

So…I like zombies. My family knows this and someone decided to gift me with this little book as a little Christmas fun. It's exactly as stated on the cover, they take well-loved Christmas songs and zombiefy them in ridiculous ways. There are illustrations to cover the gist of the song and there's an introduction by Christopher Moore (although I couldn't figure out why, really). It's just another way to spend money, because even though it was supposed to be comical it was too corny and unimaginative. Whatever, no big deal here because if you're expecting something witty and imaginative maybe you shouldn't pick up a book called "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Zombies." As a gag gift I guess this worked, so there you go. Ho, ho, ho or maybe with this book brains, brains, brains.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such goofyness!! New lyrics to old favorites. Delightfully macabre black and white drawings by Jeff Weigel. Introduction by best-selling author Christopher Moore.

[Britt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty lame excuse for a book, but was looking for a quick holiday ebook while waiting in line. Rudolph the zombie reindeer was the best one, but they are all pretty dumb. An 8-year-old boy could easily write this book or better.

[Jillyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an okay little read. As the title suggests, this is a caroling book in which classic Christmas carols that we all know and love are given a twist so that they're about zombies instead.

They're super gory, full of images of rotting flesh and extremities ripping off and words like "ooze" and "goo".

They're not particularly well done- there's a few individual lines of lyrics that are pretty funny or clever. But there's a lot of shoving extra syllables into places where they don't fit, so it's kind of hard to sing along with the lyrics even if you wanted to.

This seems to me like a book fair book, or maybe a bargain book that you see on those last-minute shelves as you are in line to check out at Barnes and Noble.

If you're a 12 year old boys who thinks that blood is cool and farts and boogers are hilarious, then godspeed. This book is for you. It's cute to read through once, but it's not something I'll remember next year, nor will I have an urge to flip through it again.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is as advertised, a book of zombie Christmas carols. But there was too much gore for my taste.

[Prince William Public Libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

This zombie book is so tongue-in-cheek “rotten” that it ends up being totally brilliant! Just as the subtitle clarifies, it is a cleverly concocted cache of Christmas carols turned ghoulish. While it does manage to include 30 popular and classic carols, it is a very short read (approximately 95 pages long, including an introduction and author’s note).

I likened flipping through this book to a train wreck you cannot avoid watching since it is usually NOT my cup of tea. But then I found myself humming along in tune with the words! So, I had to give it several extra stars rating due to the absolute genius of it despite all the gore. Those who either love this genre or are just not looking forward to the holidays (and are sick and tired of hearing the same old repeats broadcast in stores while last-minute shopping) will especially enjoy this crazy collection just in time for the holidays!

- Review by Cori, Bull Run Library Staff

Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.

[Renn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah yes, the Christmas season. What better time than this to break out It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies: A Book of Zombie Christmas Carols? You too can revel in the macabre delight of these excerpts of zombie carols:

“Deck the Halls With Parts of Wally” (to the tune of “Deck the Halls”)

“Deck the halls with parts of Wally,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the Season for brains by golly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Chew we now our friend’s gray matter,
Fa la la, Fa la la, la la la.
Wear old clothes ‘cause fresh brains splatter,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.”

“Eat a Toe” (to the tune of “Let it Snow”)

“Oh the virus outside is spreadin’,
And there’s more and more undeadin’
But when fresh brains are running low,
Eat a toe! Eat a toe! Eat a toe!”

[Katherine Loyacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies by Michael P. Spradlin, an entertaining little book of zombie Christmas carols. It is an amusing twist on traditional Christmas carols, providing lots of laughs while singing them with friends. I love zombies, so this is a fun addition to my book collection.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good art and a funny Rudolph rendition.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like zombies so enjoyed this quick read of Christmas songs zombified however I was disappointed that not all the songs were completed.

[Mandy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun quick read. You can't help but sing the tunes in your head.

[Julie Eastlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a silly little Christmas book. Sometimes we all just need a little silliness especially around the holidays.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was sorta cute, but not fantastic. I liked the humor, but the songs didn't always have the right scansion.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written book of Christmas carols we all love turned into Zombie Carols! Such a fun book to read! I highly recommend it!

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A funny and cute read of zombie Christmas songs. Good for a giggle with the family.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The holidays are a time for merriment and getting together with family and friends to celebrate and share. Part of the holidays has always included caroling, at least for some people. My husband and I love to sing, though we don't sing well, but we like to make up lyrics from time to time. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies! by Michael P. Spradlin and illustrated by Jeff Weigel is the perfect collection of remastered Christmas Carols to liven up the holidays. There's even an introduction by the witty and dark humored Christopher Moore.

First, can you tell what classic novel this line's beginning resembles?

"It is universally acknowledged that there are very few literarypursuits which cannot be improved with the addition of zombies, which are to the written word as cheesy goldfish crackers are to life in general; those little cheesy goldfish crackers also improve nearly everything." (Page VII)

Christopher Moore certainly has a unique perspective on literature and how it can be improved, but in the case of the zombie Christmas carol book, he may be correct. Spradlin's lines are well placed and maintain the rhythm of the original carols. Family members young and old will love to sing to these revised songs -- from It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, I mean, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies to Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly, oops I mean, Deck the Halls With Parts of Wally.

Zombie, the Snowman (Page 39)

Zombie the Snowman was a jolly, happy ghoul,
With a corncob pipe and some boy's nose
And two eyes he got at school.

Zombie the Snowman is a fairy tale, they say;
He was undead, it's so,
But the children know how he came back to life one day.

There must have been a virus in
That old silk hat they found,
For when they placed it on his head,
He began to dance around.

Oh, Zombie the Snowman was alive as he could be,
And the children say he ate brains all day,
And they ran from that Zombie.

Thumpety, thump thump,
Thumpety, thump thump,
Look at Zombie go.
Thumpety, thump thump,
Thumpety, thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Zombie the Snowman knew the brains were fresh that day,
So he said, "Please run, because it's lots more fun when I eat your brain that way."
Down through the village with a femur in his hand,
Running here and there all around the square,
Sayin', "Decapitate me if you can!"

He chased them through the streets of town
And at a traffic cop,
And he barely paused a moment when he heard the cop's brain pop!

Zombie the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way,
But he waved good-bye, sayin', "Please do cry,
I'll eat your brains someday!"

At a short 81 pages, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies! is a fun read and will have you giggling and guffawing and singing. Chock full of gruesome and surreal drawings of zombies in Santa Claus suits and other holiday outfits are eye-catching, and add additional verve to the carols. This humorous Christmas carol book would make a great stocking stuffer and an after-holiday gift. Heck, it would just be a fun gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and any other occasion.

[Brian Sammons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Michael P. Spradlin has taken thirty of the most beloved carols and popular Christmas related tunes and has changed the words to reflect the ever growing Undead American point of view. Luckily zombies are atheists (who knew?) and decided to skip the traditional, Christian Christmas songs like “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the like. A wise choice as no one needs the image of baby zombie Jesus eating brains in the manger. Oh wait, forget I said that.

To add to the overall feeling of wacky wrongness the book evokes so well there are numerous black and white illustrations by artist Jeff Weigel. These depict zombies engaging in a wide array of yuletide yuckiness, such as a merry undead decorating a tree with his own intestines, stockings hung by the chimney with care and the bloody legs still inside them, and other insidiously ingenious illustrations.

For zombie fans getting this book is a no brainer. Ha, get it? Zombies…brains…ugh, never mind. It is a quick, enjoyable read that you’ll catch yourself humming along with as you go.

[Michele Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Reviewed for MonsterLibrarian.com

The book's premise is simple, Christmas carols rewritten as zombie Christmas carols. The book includes such favorites as “Zombie the Snowman”, “I Saw Mommy Chewing Santa Claus”, “We Three Spleens” and “Good King Wenceslas Tastes Great”. There's familiar songs that kids will find hilarious, and more obscure ones that adults will love as well. This is an excellent gift book, and could be fun for sing-alongs at library holiday parties for kids or adults as well.
The illustrations are somewhat gory (rotting bodies, zombies decorating Christmas trees with entrails and bare brains). Being black and white blunts them, but kids under ten or so might be bothered. Still it's a great community or group interaction type book that will make people laugh and get new holiday songs stuck in their heads. Recommended for gifts, collections for zombie lovers and older kids/adults.
Contains: Mildly disturbing art, humorous/cartoonish descriptions of violence

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you really like zombies, you'll love this book. Otherwise, it's just kind of fun. It's kind of a one-joke thing, the lyrics are all about zombies eating humans. There's some talk of being chased by zombies, a virus causing zombies, and even wanting to be a zombie. They're all put to the tunes of popular Christmas songs including both classics and modern favorites like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Some have holiday themes, many don't. My biggest problem with the book is that many of the lyrics just don't fit into the music measure well. They can be kind of forced.

Here's a taste:

Undead moan, are you listening?
In the lane, blood is glistening?
A horrible sight,
We're screaming tonight,
Runnin' through a Zombie wonderland.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! But what made it even more enjoyable is that I actually found karaoke versions of the song and sang the zombie versions of them as I read the book. OMG I laughed so hard while singing "The Zombie Christmas Song" to "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire".......with a start like:

Fresh brains roasting on an open fire
Zombies chewing off your nose

LOL!

But some of the titles were amazing: "We Three Spleens", "Have Yourself a Medulla Oblongata","Deck the Halls with Parts of Wally", and "Eat a Toe" (instead of Let It Snow) XD

Fantastic!

But also, a fun surprising that Christopher Moore, the greatest writer of all time, did the introduction! Woot!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Load your shotgun and say your prayers,
’Cause Zombie Claus comes tonight.
____

Outside the bodies are falling
And Zombies are calling “woo-hoo.”
Come on, it’s lovely weather
To go flesh-eating together with you.
____

Zombie the Snowman knew the brains were fresh that day,
So he said, “Please run, because it’s lots more fun when I eat your
brain that way.”
_____

Oh the virus outside is spreadin’,
And there’s more and more undeadin’,
But when fresh brains are running low,
Eat a toe! Eat a toe! Eat a toe!
_____

I liked this book :) Mind you, I'm no zombie fan and I only saw a film or two on the subject. But the alterations of the songs you hear every Christmas are just really fun :) So are the pictures :) So here's to a Zombilicious Christmas! :D

[Andy Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 30 Christmas carols rewritten to include lyrics about zombies. That's basically it, which is fine as that's what the blurb on the back cover claims it is. Some are funnier than others, and the links to the original songs are a bit tenuous, but it's not a bad effort. There are also a large number of illustrations of fairly good quality that depict some aspect of each song.

OK, it's not really in the spirit of proper zombie fiction, but it serves its purpose in being a fun gift or novelty item for horror fans. It's not hilarious, but it's not bad, and original as far as I know (and I've seen a lot of books about zombies in my time).

[Carrie Rolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zombie Christmas Carols, like "Good King Wenceslas Tastes Great" and "Deck the Halls with Parts of Wally." The lyrics are either funny or so-bad-they-become-funny. There's black and white illustrations of zombies doing festive holiday things, like waiting (with knife and fork) for Santa to come down the chimney, or decorating the tree with entrails from their own gut.

There's an introduction from Christopher Moore, which should tell you all you need to know about whether or not you will think this is funny.

[Ace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a Christmas present a few years back; between this book and the Call of Duty Nazi Zombie Christmas songs, never has a holiday been so undead. The artwork is great; the songs are funny, if not a little repetitive. Some of the line lengths could have fit the song better, but overall, this book features fun carols to sing to or with your family/friends. Just be careful you don't scare them away...

[jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha, again, zombies aren't really my thing, but my brother was SO PROUD of this present on Christmas morning, and my sister finds me softly singing zombie carols at her really annoying, so an excellent Christmas book. Also, the introduction by Christopher Moore is great. I'm totally referring to things as "the cheesy goldfish cracker of whatever from here on out.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strictly for those who love horror. The carols are quirky, although the illustrations may be the best thing about this book. My only gripe is that the piggyback songs (new words to familiar tunes - or, in this case, to holiday tunes) don't always match the rhythm of the words to the music. Otherwise, this little volume will stay on my self until the season rolls around again.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thing I borrowed this ebook from the library. It was very short, but cute! Got a few great laughs out it. Had to play some x-mas music to remember some of the tunes. Some I didn't even know, but Youtube came in handy for that. Loved "I saw Mommy chewing Santa Claus". Like the song so this was just great. I'm a huge zombie fan so its nice to read something fun and cute from this genre.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious, classic carols jazzed up with a sick, Zombie twist.
I was laughing my head off and reading them aloud to my family, they are so funny they are a must for any horror / zombie fan at this time of year.
Illustrated throughout with black and white gruesome yet funny cartoon pictures.
A brilliant read.