Publisher's Weekly Review
Award-winning French cartoonist Trondheim, known in the U.S. for his kids' book Tiny Tyrant, tells a short holiday tale that taps into childlike fantasies. A brother, Petey, and a sister, Jean, go on a Christmas vacation to the snowy mountains with their Mom and Dad and pet monster, Kriss. On the way they encounter another monster chasing Santa Claus and have to rely on their creativity, quick thinking, and a monster of their own to save Santa and themselves. Both Trondheim's art and the English-language translation create a story that could come from the mind of a child, despite its bizarre creatures and sudden surprises. Yet it's also the work of a talented artist channeling that childish wonder into a finely crafted tale for young audiences. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
(Graphic novel. 6-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Two little kids are bummed out when they hear they're spending Christmas in the mountains, and doubly bummed when their parents tell them they can't bring their monster, Kriss, along. But Kriss (a green blob with 3 legs, 4 arms, and 10 mouths) just won't be left behind, which is a good thing because, while driving up a snowy mountain road, they spot Santa dashing through the woods with a different, angry-looking orange monster hot on his heels. Kriss comes to the rescue by distracting the orange guy with a vending machine, but then gets snatched up himself. French comics master Trondheim offers a tale that embraces the inspired lunacy and anything-goes agility of a child's imagination running on all cylinders. His artwork ditches panels entirely to float scenes loosely around the pages, and the story is told in a droll narration instead of through speech balloons. Holiday trifles don't come any zanier nor as weirdly touching as this, and the kids somehow wind up helping Santa save Christmas while Kriss gets a gift-wrapped vending machine of his own.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist
