A Pop-up book for adults about the Naughty Nineties--that's 1890's--the end of the Victorian Age. It shows what would be incorrect behavior today.

I enjoyed this book. It's tongue-in-cheek humor. I found it fun and giggly. It has the tabs just like the kids' pop-up books. It just something to enjoy and maybe figure those Victorians were not so tight laced as they seemed. Just enjoy!

Derek Brundle loves Christmas. All of a sudden Munkle, a member of S.E.S (Special Elf Service) appears at his bedroom window knocking to be let in. Derek lets her in, and she tells him she needs his help. Derek is baffled. How can he help her? He's only seven years old. Turns out he is needed for a special mission as Santa is missing. Why was Derek chosen for the mission? Will they be able to find Santa?

I enjoyed this story. I laughed as Derek and the elves go searching for Santa. Seems like there are things Derek does not know about his life and finds out from the elves. Also, he learns things about Santa that debunks what we have grown up knowing. Naturally, there is a villain--a truly hiss-worthy villain but I know Derek has the tools (and the brains) to defeat the villain and his minions.

This is a great story for the Christmas season. It is fresh and imaginative. Your elementary school kids will enjoy it and so will you. It will probably become a family tradition to read each year.

Grandpa Mudcake wants a haircut, but Grandma Mudcake says she is too old to give him one, so he has to go out and get a haircut. Grandpa refuses and his hair grows and grows. Finally, he cannot take it anymore, so he goes to find a barber. He tells Bazil the Barber want he wants but Bazil does not speak English very well and Grandpa falls asleep. What a haircut he gets! But is it what he wanted? What happens when Grandpa wakes up?

I enjoyed this story. It makes me want to read more of the series. Grandpa is a grump and Grandma does not seem to be any different. I loved his haircut. I also liked that Grandpa wanted the lollipop at the end of the haircut. This is a perfect book for your early readers. They can laugh over Grandpa's haircut and style.

9 short stories that range in tone from creepy to funny. Each has a paranormal theme.

My favorite story was Forbidden which has Lorenzo, a vampire, bemoaning the fact that no one is afraid of him like in the old days. He also craves garlic and has a way to get it but giving in to his craving contradicts his moaning.

Another favorite was Bad Dog who is Hatach who is a hellhound. He is rescued by a human. He is funny also.

El Emperador is also fun as you get the woman's thoughts and the horse's. The horse seems smarter than the woman. They are an interesting mix.

Silent Partner was good with Charles and the tattoo artist. Charles and his significant other, Janine, reminded me of Howard and Eunice in What's Up Doc? I am not sure if Charles was dreaming or if he had the tattoo. It's a little iffy.

The rest of the stories were okay but not as good as the ones I mentioned above. These stories are worth the few minutes it takes to read them.

More of a 3.75.  I have the ebook and the audiobook.  I listened the the audiobook and it was the most disappointing part of the book.  Being used to hearing Jean Shepard's narration, it was a shock to the system to hear someone else telling the story.  Especially because their narration was bland and a little momotoned.  All of the movie is there--with minor changes here and there.  The story switches back and forth between older Ralphie's present day and him flashing back to memories from his childhood.  It isn't all one long story based on Christmas like in the movie.  It was funny and a little weird considering I have been watching the movie multiple times a year since the 80's.  The story of the movie is ingrained in my memory, so it was odd hearing the story as a mish-mash of seperate memories.  Not a bad story, though I do regret purchasing the audio version.