The Christmas Party from the Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon Adventures #9

by Mike Thaler, Jared Lee (Illustrator)

While worrying about the class gift exchange, Hubie discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Chapter Books, Childrens, Fiction, Holiday, Humor

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.

Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”

Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.

Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with creativity, inspiring his audiences with a love of language.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-CycleA nice quick read about the spirit of Christmas. Overall, this book was okay. I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the earlier books in the series, but it was still entertaining. I did like the emphasis on giving over receiving, making presents, and being nice all year around, not just around Christmas.Fun illustrations as with the other books, although it did bug me slightly that mistletoe Doris' appearance suddenly changes drastically within the same chapter.Fun read that is different from the typical Christmas book.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Green announces that the class is having a Christmas party, and names are drawn to exchange gifts. Hubie gets stuck with Penny. She gives him a list of gifts that she wants. Hubie only has $2.98 in his budget. After some thought, Hubie decides to give Penny a hand made gift, that only costs time, and effort. Will Penny like his gift, and will the true meaning of Christmas shine through?

[Gage · Rating 5 out of 5]

ha ha ha I loved it!

[Cheryl Martinez]

It was a really cute book, it teaches kids that they should be giving gifts and not wanting to always recieve them.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the boy is caring

[Haleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

read it a second time, 1.12.18, Logan rates it a 3.5

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spirit of Christmas explained by the kids from the Black Lagoon.

[Cathy Hodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I have always like the children in the Black Lagoon classroom. The Puns and the art are great. This holiday story had a wonderful message about giving of yourself & making a personalized Christmas gift. Yes ! But, the gender bias was too much even for a 2006 publishing date. Perfume, Barbies, and pink for the girl gifts... the boy had to get out of the "Fluff" store to get some Dinosaurs counterbalance. . PLEEZE ! The girl would probably like the Action Adventure book and Dinosaurs as much as the boy that Hubie Wished that he picked. And giving the left over gift to the child in the wheel chair???? Why weren't the special ed kids included in the original drawing. Cute kids, Enjoy.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book about a Christmas party at school. It's written from the point of view of a third-grade (or so) boy. I wonder how folks in the disabled community feel about the boy giving his toy to the boy in the wheelchair?

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no way that every person in that school celebrates Christmas.

[Shankar B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when Hubie got a present because he traded a present.

[ULa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and funny.

[Julia Harpel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elementary

[Jarom Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

good