The Santa Trap by Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene

Reviewed by Lori
Title: The Santa Trap

Authors and illustrators: Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 66521

Description: Bradley Bartleby has been very bad since the day he was born and finally gets what he deserves after turning his family's home into a fearsome trap for Santa, who has always given him nothing but socks.








Curriculum Links:
  • Social Studies: Holidays and Celebrations
  • Self-Regulation
  • Character Education: Kindness, Empathy
  • Reading: Narrative
  • Writing: Narrative

Notes: 

Design: This is a very interesting holiday/Christmas Title.  The typeset of the author's names gives it the feel of the "Nightmare before Christmas."   Similarly, the sharp lines in the title make the letters look like the teeth on a bear trap.  And they point to directly to Bradley!  The end pages of the book are a bright Christmas red and the writing is long enough to make this a good read aloud.

Content and Illustrations: It was the title and illustrations that drew me to this book.  I found many different things that captured my attention in the images that made me take a deeper look at what was going on, particularly after Bradley starts to set off his own traps.  (How many students notice Santa's shadow on the wall when Bradley finds something in his stocking?)   I didn't love all of the action or language in the book.  For a children's book it felt a little bit on the violent side for me.  I didn't like all the guns that Bradley sets up or that he calls Santa a "fat fool." (But that may just be my particular issue as a reader - drawback for me but not for others).  As an adult I can see the humour in the over-the-top extremes of Bradley and his trap and it does open the door for a good conversation about expectations and behaviour.  I did like the end of the book when Bradley receives a few extra items from Santa because he's a compassionate guy.  However, I would have liked to have seen Bradley apologize to his parents for destroying the house and being a pest.  I wanted some self-actualization for Bradley.  Again, a good opportunity for teachers to talk about whether Bradley changes for next year!


Recommended Audience:  Grade 2 and 3
  • A good holiday read aloud for an older audience
  • Good discussion points for behaviour and manners 
  • Good illustrations 

Inquiries and Activities:
  • Why does Bradley Bartleby build a Santa Trap?  
  • What would have been a better way for Bradley to receive presents from Santa? (Be a good boy instead of a naughty one!)
  • Create a naughty and nice list.  Under each heading write what behaviours would fall in each category (eg. Naughty - rude, impatient, selfish; Nice - kind, generous, helpful)
  • What does Bradley get in his stocking every year?  
  • Write a letter to Santa.  
  • Watch "The Nightmare before Christmas" or "How the Grinch stole Christmas"

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