I recently reviewed A Merry Mermaid Christmas, declaring it the first Christmas story I’d read that takes place underwater. Hot on its heels, I’ve found a second: A Very Krusty Christmas,
set in Bikini Bottom rather than Atlantica and starring the
always-lovable SpongeBob SquarePants, the bright yellow sponge who
“lives in a pineapple under the sea“ with his pet snail and looks at the
world with wide-eyed wonder.
Given SpongeBob’s enthusiastic
nature, it’s no surprise that he is a fan of Christmas. In this book,
written by David Lewman and illustrated by Robert Dress, we see right
off the bat just how eager SpongeBob is as he’s decorated with oodles of
brightly colored lights. Now, considering the fact that he is thousands
of leagues under the sea, I have no idea how these lights are able to
turn on, let alone how he can flip the switch without getting
electrocuted. But this is a show on which starfish eat burgers and
snails meow, so I long ago learned not to expect too much logic from the
sponge and the gang.
There’s a touch of A Christmas Carol
to this cheerful story. Decent, hardworking SpongeBob is like Bob
Cratchit, while ornery neighbor Squidward takes a “bah humbug” attitude
toward the holiday. For the most part, though, this is an original tale
that involves Mr. Krabs, the cantankerous owner of the Krusty Krab,
where both SpongeBob and Squidward work, coming to appreciate the
economic value of presenting a Christmassy restaurant.
SpongeBob’s excess of Christmas spirit irritates both Squidward and Mr.
Krabs, but once the nefarious Plankton decks out his own eatery, the
Chum Bucket, as festively as possible and the customers flock in, the
sponge and his faithful pal Patrick have a chance to give the Crab Shack
a Christmas make-over. Will that solve everyone’s seasonal woes?
This is a silly story that is nonetheless rather charming, since
SpongeBob is such a sincere sponge and Patrick is his stalwart shadow.
Fans of the series will find in this book plenty of familiar characters
and lively illustrations, along with a unique spin on some Christmas
traditions. So pull up your boatmobile and celebrate A Very Krusty Christmas with SpongeBob SquarePants.
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