Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol

By: Erin Dealey
Illustrated by: Nick Ward
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: September 2013
ISBN: 978-1585368570
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: October 4, 2013

Christmas is upon us! Fa la la la la la la la la! In this delightfully mischievous skewed version of Deck the Halls, children have a blast getting ready for the holidays. Messes abound, but there is also lots and lots of love to share.

Deck the Walls opens with a group of children ‘helping’ mom prepare the turkey dinner. Alas, they’ve decided to “Deck the walls with mashed potatoes! Fa la la la la la la la la” Poor mom looks a little flabbergasted, but the family dog sure looks happy. The story continues with the children having fun with olives, making a meal of grandma’s delicious cookies, and wondering why Uncle Harvey, and all their aunts and uncles “bore us.” The answer, according to the kids, is quite funny.

This is an absolutely adorable book that will put a smile on every child’s face, as well as the adult who just might be reading the story. The children are playful, the adults are all smiling, and the ending carries a wonderful message – that family is THE most important thing during the holidays, and all through the year.

Quill says: Get out the mashed potatoes, make some Christmas cookies and enjoy this amusing re-invention of an old Christmas favorite.