A Bad Kitty Christmas

Book review by Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media
A Bad Kitty Christmas Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Funny Bad Kitty mayhem leads to holiday's true meaning.

Nick Bruel Holiday 2011
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this is the seventh book in the Bad Kitty series. Nick Bruel sticks to the formula, with engaging verse and clever wordplay as Kitty blasts through the decked halls of her house and three alphabets on Christmas Eve. But here there's also a warm message about the true meaning of Christmas.

Community Reviews

lillian.billman
lillian.billman Adult
May 15, 2019
age 3+

No ending

Who ever put the pages in the book put the same set in, instead of the ones intended. I would've love to read the ending instead of rereading what I already had a few pages prior. I guess I'll have to buy another copy and hope that it doesn't have the same mistake in it. We loved it up until we weren't given an ending. We have no clue what happened after it entered the second house. From what I have read it's great. I hope your copy it's messed up like ours is.
crstortz
crstortz Adult
December 19, 2011
age 8+

Good, But Beware

The message is good and engaging. It does share a homosexual relationship that parents should be aware of, especially if they are not ready to expose a younger child to an alternative lifestyle.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Prone-to-mayhem Bad Kitty wrecks Christmas at her house, gets scolded, then hightails it out of the family's car window. Wandering around the city where she lands, she's picked up by an old lady who takes her home, feeds her, and tells her that family is what Christmas is all about. Puppy tracks Kitty to the old woman's apartment and then the three of them return to Kitty's home, where the old woman becomes part of the family.

Is It Any Good?

Fans of the series will certainly enjoy a new installment, but even readers unfamiliar with the franchise will find this wacky and heartwarming story a wonderful holiday selection. In its own funny way, it accomplishes what all Christmas stories attempt: to show a deeper meaning of Christmas beyond all the bustle, decorations, and presents.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how we love our pets, even when they behave badly. The same goes for family members, right?

  • Bad Kitty tears up the presents because she's greedy and wants more -- all the things and animals on her wish list. Do you have a Christmas list? Do you ever feel like you're being greedy?

  • The old woman is alone on Christmas Eve, but she isn't sad because she has happy memories of friends and family. What are some of your happiest memories?

  • This is the seventh book in the series. Have you read any of the others? How does this one compare?

Book Details

  • Author: Nick Bruel
  • Genre: Holiday
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
  • Publication date: September 13, 2011
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 17
  • Number of pages: 40
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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