Why is Howie the puppy so scared that "a big fat man in a red suit is going to come down the chimney? Why are Harold the dog and Chester the cat hearing noises in the basement in the middle of the night? Is Bunnicula's house being invaded by Christmas ghosts?

REVIEWS

Publishers Weekly

Bunnicula characters Harold and Chester are back, in a colorful picture-book format. Once again the ungainly dog, Harold, narrates the story and lends to it his particular canine perspective. Howie, the dachshund puppie, is about to experience his first Christmasbut he's frightened that he will be captured by the ``big fat man in a red suit'' with a sack over his shoulder. Harold's and Chester's overactive imaginations lead them to the basement, where strange noises occur in the middle of the night. Could it be a ghost? Although Howe does not have the space in this picture book to develop the characters as brilliantly as in the novels, the pace is lively and the tone of warm family harmony is just right for the season. With Morrill's sprightly illustrations, this book will enable the middle-grade Bunnicula -phile to introduce the series to a younger sibling.

Publishers Weekly

Howie the dachshund pup becomes convinced that ghosts (like the ones in the story "about the stingy old man and the poor little boy") lurk at Christmastime, and it's up to fellow canine Harold and Chester the cat to reassure him in Bunnicula and Friends: The Fright Before Christmas by James Howe, illus. by Jeff Mack.

Publishers Weekly

The Bunnicula gang returns for a Halloween-like Christmas Eve. PW called this humorous outing "delightful" and "enticing."
 
Children's Literature

Harold, the canine narrator of Bunnicula and other tales by Howe, is back for a Yuletide adventure. Chester, the cat, has him convinced that there are Christmas ghosts (à la Charles Dickens) stalking the house on Christmas Eve. Howie, the dachshund puppy, is terrified of Santa. Of course, the pets raise a ruckus and wake up the entire household. No one seems too upset, especially because they discover that Santa has already visited and left presents. The story is a bit contrived and the target audience may miss part of the conclusion. This picture book will be read by children too young to appreciate Bunnicula, so they may not be familiar with the characters. Also, very young children may not be ready for stories that include vampires and ghosts, even though the ghouls don't exist outside of Chester's imagination.