Mama Bear and Santa Bear are disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas, the frantic consumers, and the gaudy decorations. Santa goes nuclear and cancels Christmas while Mama harangues her family to simplify and get back to the Christmas spirit she knew as a kid.

There is still a chance to save Christmas, though, as Santa goes the Diogenes route, looking for one good bear with the right heart. And a penis.

The book is preachy and ham-fisted and told in rhyme, and I always worry when I see people stuck in a blindered nostalgia spiral. I mean, they all but make hats saying, "Make Christmas Great Again."

Still, I do enjoy the musical of the same name that grew out of this book a few years after it was published. But that show does add Rip-Off Ralph to spice things up. ( )

Both Mama Bear and Santa are worried that the "greedies" will spoil Christmas day. When the bears find out that Santa has cancelled Christmas, Papa bear and the cubs get the message and follow Mama's advice about trying to restore the true spirit of Christmas.

I would read this book to younger students. The book does have good displays and colorful illustrations. The book talks about different families in the neighborhood having a christmas display contest. By doing this, the cubs have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and Mama Bear reveals to them the true meaning of Christmas. I would read this book during Christmas time but it could be religiously biased.

$12.99