School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-5-Another Christmas, another A Christmas Carol, this version stars animals in Victorian garb. Barton the pig, the rich orphan living in the mansion on the hill, hates Christmas because it reminds him of the parents he lost. He has plenty of toys and servants who obviously care for him, but he's turned into a miserly brat. Then one night he's visited by a magical mouse that shrinks him down to mouse size and takes him on a whirlwind tour of Christmas Eve past, present, and future. Needless to say, when Barton is faced with the possible consequences of his own miserliness, he wakes up and decides it's time to make a change. He invites the orphans to celebrate with him and his servants, and later joins them in their caroling. Poulin's oil-on-canvas illustrations are richly colored and lovingly detailed, his animal characters almost too charming. There's nothing new here, but it is an attractive package, and certainly simplifies a classic tale for young readers.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The ghosts of classics past float through Papineau's (No Spots for Gilda the Giraffe!) paper-over-board homage to Dickens, starring a greedy, bitter pig who visits holidays past, present and future courtesy of a magical mouse specter in a nightshirt. When wealthy, reclusive young Barton, a pill of a porker who hates Christmas, is shown the error of his Scrooge-ish ways, the ragamuffin orphans of the town soon bask in Barton's newfound benevolence. Poulin's (Earth to Audrey) dark, textured oils evoke Dickensian-era flavor, while the all-animal cast offers new delights. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
