Red Ranger Came Calling
By Berkeley Breathed
Little, Brown 1994 (reprint)
ISBN: 0-316-10249-0 - Large paperback
Children / Fiction
Reading Ages 4-9 (Read aloud to children up to grade 3)

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.Com
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Berkeley Breathed's Dad was "Red Ranger," named after his hero, Buck Tweed, the Red Ranger of Mars. This is the story of his most amazing Christmas, just the way he told it to Berkeley. Red was spending Christmas with his aunt, as usual, on "a damp little island." Now, Red was a worldly boy who knew that Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny was just twaddle hatched to fool little boys. But when he meets the local recluse, Saunder Clos, and sees a tiny man that looks like a turnip, and must be an elf, he begins to question his own disbelief. The old man gains his trust with a small miracle, and then fails to produce the big one (Red's hearts desire is an Official Buck Tweed Two-Speed Crime-Stopper Star-Hopper bicycle). When he goes to confront Saunder Clos, he ends up comforting the old man instead, Red discovers a miracle within his own heart.

Breathed's full color comical illustrations are wonderful. The sour faced little boy with the orange thatch on top of his head is a character that other little boys will relate to, and his hopes and disappointments are universal. The author's sharp wit may be a bit above the heads of most children of the recommended age level of the book, but, nevertheless, is a terrific story to share for Christmas.

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