Christmas will have different meanings for many, but most will often describe it as the season of goodwill, joy, togetherness and celebration – a time when families come together to exchange gifts, share hearty meals and bask in the warmth of each other’s company. Twinkling lights, cheerful carols, and festive jumpers all contribute to the magic of the holiday. But for one particular dog, Christmas is anything but magical. Meet Gus, the most grumpiest dog you’ll ever encounter during the festive season. While most of us will revel in the merriment of the festive season, Gus would rather curl up in a corner and grumble his way through December. Gus really doesn’t like anything about Christmas! But maybe it doesn’t have to be all about him. Merry Christmas Gus!
In Merry Christmas Gus, author and illustrator Chris Chatterton introduces young page turners to a hilariously cantankerous pup who simply despises Christmas and everything about it. From the moment the decorations go up, Gus’s mood goes down. He detests the jingling of bells, the sparkle of tinsel and don’t get him started on the sound of Christmas carols. Festive jumpers make him itch, snow games are a nightmare and mistletoe? Don’t even mention it. With his furrowed unibrow and perpetually disgruntled snout, Gus is the embodiment of holiday gloom.
But Gus isn’t alone and Christmas isn’t all about him and his dislike for it. He has a young companion with him, one who is full of festive cheer and excitement, and he adores everything about Christmas. The contrast between the two couldn’t be more striking – it’s like night and day, apples and oranges, dogs and cats … you get the idea. Where Gus sees Christmas chaos, his companion only sees fun and joy and his enthusiasm for the season is infectious. It is not too long before it starts to chip away at Gus’s cold and icy exterior. Slowly, Gus starts to realise that Christmas might not be about his personal preferences – it might just be about making others happy.
Overall, Merry Christmas Gus is an excellent story about the true spirit of Christmas and how it is a time for others, family and friends. It is a laugh-out-loud story about a grumpy dog that sees the error of his ways and learns to like Christmas to make it fun for everyone.
The story follows a lonely grump into a happy happy dog in a heartwarming transformation. Gus, despite his initial grumpy resistance to all things Christmassy, begins to participate in the festivities – not for his own pleasure, but to bring joy to his young friend. Reluctantly he helps decorate the tree, wears his Christmas jumper with a sense of pride, joins in the snowy games and even sits down to watch Christmas films. And when he sees the utter delight and joy on his companion’s face, something extremely unexpected happens: Gus starts to enjoy himself. His happiness starts to intertwine with the happiness of others around forcing him to learn that the true spirit of Christmas lies in giving, sharing and being there for loved ones.
I thought that Merry Christmas Gus was a delightfully charming laugh-out-loud tale that beautifully captures the essence and ethos of Christmas. It’s a story that reminds readers, regardless of their age, that the festive season isn’t about personal selfish indulgence, it’s more about community, kindness and the joy of making others smile – whether that’s joining in with a dreaded seasonal jumper or giving gifts. Gus’s journey from grump to giver that engages with the festivities is both humorous and touching, making this book a perfect read for Christmas.
The story itself is lots of fun and very engaging. But this is a picture book and the illustrations (also by the author) are a standout feature. You can’t help but marvel at Gus’s expressive face, whether he is scowling or smiling, as it adds layers of emotion to the narrative. Its vibrant artwork is playful while perfectly demonstrating Gus’s complete transformation and complements the simple yet impactful text. This is a Christmas tale that is sure to elicit giggles from its young page turners, whether they are independently reading or having it read to them as a bedtime story.
Merry Christmas Gus is a delightful addition to any Christmas bookshelf. It’s a gentle nudge to all the Grumpy Gus’s out there to embrace the season and find joy in the happiness of others. So this Christmas, don’t be a Grumpy Gus, take a leaf out of Gus’s book – join in, spread cheer and maybe even wear that itchy jumper with pride.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £11.99 (Hardback) / £6.99 (Paperback) / £2.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit www.chrischatterton.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
PUBLISHER:
PUBLICATION DATE:
ISBN:
PRINT LENGTH:
COVER ART: