A Charlie Brown Christmas (on DVD)

A Charlie Brown Christmas
[DVD j741.5 Sch 2002 (and) Hoopla] 

Don’t let the cataloging designation dissuade you from re-watching (or watching for the first time) this now classic “Peanuts” story. Originally quite innovative for its jazzy score, animation style, and content when it premiered in 1966, this exploration of what the Christmas observance “is all about” holds up to the test of time very well. The trials and triumphs of Charlie Brown and his child peers are translatable to all ages and many experiences and they offer some enduring lessons about community, acceptance, and faith.

[Also available in traditional print format.] [ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

Recommended by Becky W.C.
Walt Branch Library

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Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown! (on DVD)

Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown! (and Don’t Come Back!)
[j DVD Bon]

I had this movie on tape when I was a kid, so when I saw the library had it on DVD, I had to check it out. There are some movies I enjoyed as a kid and watching them as an adult is just not the same. This one though, was just as good as I remember it being. Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie all go to France as exchange students; Snoopy and Woodstock tag along. The girls stay at one house and the boys and Snoopy stay at a chateau. It’s dark and stormy as they arrive at the Chateau after dropping off the girls, and no one is home. Snoopy acts as guard dog, but eventually heads for the pub for a night of root beer and jukebox tunes. It’s mystery and comedy as they try to figure out who and where the chateau owners are. It’s Peanuts, so it’s suitable and enjoyable for all ages.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try A Boy Named Charlie Brown, also on DVD.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

Recommended by Kristen A.
Gere Branch Library

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

A Charlie Brown Christmas (soundtrack on CD)

A Charlie Brown Christmas
by Vince Guaraldi [various call numbers]

This soundtrack album is essential holiday listening for me - in fact, if prompted to complete one of those "what music would you want to have with you if trapped on a desert island?" quizzes, this would be one of my choices. Having grown up watching the A Charlie Brown Christmas special on television, Vince Guaraldi's jazzy, light-hearted yet sentimental riffs perfectly capture the Christmas season for me. Of course, the "Linus and Lucy" track is probably the best-known, and carried over thematically to the many other Peanuts television specials. But the soft, thoughtful, vaguely plaintive "Christmastime is Here", in either instrumental only, or even better with vocals, snaps me back to my childhood, being comforted by family gatherings, festive decorations and smells, and a general sense of seasonal well-being. The only other album that does that is John Denver and the Muppets - A Christmas Together. If you're a Peanuts fan, you probably already own this CD. If it is not already part of your holiday music rotation, consider checking it out...it will most likely bring back a lot of memories! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile and more of his reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the actual DVD of A Charlie Brown Christmas -- the music is also available in various printed sheet-music collections for various instrumentations.]

[ Bibliography of Vince Guaraldi music ] | [ official Vince Guaraldi web site ]

Have you listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!