The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza by David Shannon

A simple effort to brighten up the holidays goes way overboard in this Christmas story about pride going before a fall.

The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza by David Shannon, Scholastic, 1995. 32 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-8

We’ve all seen the Christmas displays of lights and yard decorations that overwhelm the house and make us wonder where all those embellishments are stored the rest of the year.

This story begins when Mr. Merriweather hangs one tiny string of Christmas lights, probably the same sort that my family hangs in an imperfect line on our own front porch.

But when his neighbor sneers at it, Mr. Merriweather rises to the challenge of REALLY impressing everyone. One thing leads to another until the house is overwhelmed with decorations, but at the cost of more than just money.

Bottom Line: A story of pride and selfishness that leads to hurt and conflict finally ends in reconciliation and redemption. Wonderful.

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: The Light Before Christmas Hint: it’s not on a string from the store.
• Resource: A round-up of traditional Christmas picture books
• Resource: Gladys Hunt on Christmas books

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.