Bobby Bright’s Greatest Christmas by John R. Brooks: book review

Bobby Bright’s Best Christmas

by John R. Brooks

Old Farm Press (2006)

ISBN 9780978822705

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (11/06)

This adorable story begins in a Christmas light bulb factory where a strand of lights is shocked with an electrical charge and one of the bulbs, named Bobby, is imbued with magical powers. The string of lights is purchased by Mr. and Mrs. McGillicuddy and over the next nine years, instead of being placed on the front of the tree, it ends up on the back of the tree.

In tenth grade, Bobby decided things had to change. He and his family, who all speak in bulb, were tired of always being placed in the back and never having the opportunity to shine and be admired. Bobby’s magical powers gave him the ability to understand human language and translated to his family what was happening and being said by Mr. and Mrs. McGillicuddy.

During the process of decorating the Christmas tree, a series of events occur for Mr. and Mrs. McGillicuddy, some humorous, some sad. According to the appearance of events, the Bright family’s light bulb chain will once again end up at the back of the tree.

Bobby, the brightest of the Bright family, hatches a plan. He is determined and determined that this year the garland of bulbs does not end up at the bottom of the tree and does not go unnoticed. By enacting his plan, Bobby creates a way to get noticed. It’s not an easy maneuver for a Christmas light bulb, however, because of Bobby’s magical powers, his plan works.

In anticipation of what’s to come next, the Bright family has a chance to shine and be noticed this year, especially when Mr. and Mrs. McGillicddy’s son, wife and grandson, Remmington, arrive for Christmas. Remmington notices that the bulbs of the special tree installed in his room are very different from the others. And, they are different.

“Bobby Bright’s Greatest Christmas” is a fun book to read to children. The story teaches imagination, determination, creativity, and most importantly, that if you believe you can do it, you can. And, after reading this story you’ll still wonder if you have that special magic strand of Christmas tree lights mixed in with all the others. It probably is, and who knows, maybe this Christmas you too will experience the magical powers of lights. I’m sure I will.