Review Detail

It's Christmas, David! shares how hard it is to be good when Christmas is in full swing and all the fun things to do, see, and eat are there to look at but not touch. David is his full chaotic self and all the hilarious antics he can get up to, such as peeing in the snow and running naked down the street. This beloved children’s book has been adapted to board book format, which is a plus, as it makes it sturdier for young elementary children to keep in good shape.
The board book version of the book is what I am using for this review. Content-wise, I don’t think this book is appropriate for the youngest of readers who will now access it. After all, a board book implies it is for young readers in the baby-preschool age range. I read this with a toddler, and she was engaged with the illustrations, but the story was beyond her stage of development, and there was zero reaction to it. Then it made me realize that even a preschool child who is in a concrete literal stage of development may not see the humor in the story. I could see page after page of David getting scolded being a negative experience for them to read about, especially the heartwrenching moment when David gets no presents and only a lump of coal for being bad. It turns out to be just a dream, and it ends on a cozy, sweet note as all the books in the series do, but I could see that being a rough part for sensitive readers who don’t have many Christmases under their belt to realize it will be ok.
Overall, I love the story and find it hilarious, but would recommend it for elementary age and up, despite the board book format.