Book Review by Joslyn Vann
This book offers up a modern-day twist on the traditional holiday song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Griffin uses colloquial language, phonetic spellings, and pseudowords in an attempt to deliver an updated version that readers will find relatable. The book cleverly compares Santa Claus’ famous annual trek from the North Pole in a reindeer-drawn sleigh to an alien spaceship or double-decker jet aircraft flying through the air and traveling across the sky.
The author’s comical characterization of old Saint Nick twice checking his infamous naughty or nice list conjures up images of Rocky Balboa shadowboxing before a fight. Griffin infuses this tale with merriment by alluding to Star Wars characters and depicting the North Pole as a festive gathering of laughing, prancing, and dancing reindeer and elves, with Mrs. Claus kicking off the revelry. Pop culture references and vibrant illustrations add to the story’s fun, quirky tone. The book ends with an inspirational message encouraging readers to celebrate who they are and strive to fulfill their potential.
The author's closing poem entitled “Love Never Ending” is touching. Full of metaphorical comparisons of the majesty of nature to the beauty of art, this poem speaks of an eternal devotion that transcends time, space, and dimensions. It is a promise to hold a loved one close, support them always, and never let them go. Griffin uses artistic license and sometimes cringeworthy slang to revitalize a Christmas classic. He then follows up the frivolity with a profound statement on the power and constancy of love. Fans of the familiar song who are interested in a different take on the original version might wish to peruse Griffin's offering.
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https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1/Santa-Clawziz-Comin-2-Town-by-Michael-Carter-Griffin.html
I must say Santa Clawziz Comin-2-Town by author Michael Carter Griffin at first glance took me by surprise. Reading the text was something which I have not seen before, as the words and spelling is done in a poetic fashion using phonemes, in a phonetic text, bringing a verbal flow of rhymes and humor to the story’s narration – not what I expected in a book suited for youngsters; some of whom are still learning to read. But once you get the hang of it, I do believe it is quite comical with the expressions and analogies, and will ultimately bring chuckles and smiles to the reading audience.
The book parallels the popular Christmas song, Santa Claus is Coming to Town,by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie. In Michael Carter Griffin’s version, the lyrics are brought to the current times, making reference to such iconic elements as a UFO and a 747. For example, “he be comin down the chimney-he be makin some noise-singin Merry Little Christmas to duh girls and duh boys ridin dat sleigh – bringin all the presents – flyin thru the sky like uh 747.”
The text is quite comical and is interleaved with classic Santa illustrations; showing Santa with his big, cottony white beard, red-velvet outfit, glasses and his all-knowing smile. The book moves along at a quick pace, and the author finishes with a very positive poem on the final page. The take-away readers will get – in one word – is “Fun!” This is quite a different book than all of the others on their bookshelf, and has a “bad-boy” attitude children will find exciting and a bit rebellious. They will be enlightened to the concept of “being good for goodness sake” and “you better watch out, you better not cry” – all fundamental morals for kids to adhere to prior to Christmas so they get the presents they ask for.
Yes, Santa Clawziz Comin-2-Town is quite the unique book in the genre of Christmas stories – it flows with the humor of updated lyrics to the classical song, and for those children who know the right-from-wrong spelling of the text, will further appreciate the wordsmithing of this one-of-a-kind author. It needs a ribbon and bow, then will make a great gift under a family’s Christmas tree, awaiting to be enjoyed time-and-time-again by happy kids and loving parents.
Michael Carter Griffin has crafted a timeless tale that celebrates the magic of Christmas in a fresh and enchanting way.
Note: please check Pacific Book Review Star
to validate claims at https://www.pacificbookreview.com/santa-clawziz-comin-2-town/