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(2)
K-3
Back in his third book, (not-so-badly-drawn) horse Randy dreams of flying with Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve, "But alas, I'm just a beautiful horse!" An unseen kid artist provides speech-bubble commentary about what makes a good reindeer (being able to withstand the cold and enjoying reindeer games, for example), and Randy gives it all his best effort: "I love games... Checkers? Chess? Monopoly?!" Randy's can-do attitude helps him ignore the obvious and feel confident that he's ready "to join [Santa's] team of flying horses." He is not...until Christmas morning provides just the right bit of magic. Plenty of white space focuses attention on crayon-colored Randy's goofy shenanigans and clueless narration.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2022
(2)
PS
This silly story takes readers through Santa's hiring process for sleigh pullers. A want ad states: "Only one night of work each year. See the world." Also, "magic flying dust will be provided." Thirteen eager teams respond; some are dismissed right away (sloths: "Maybe one house a night?"; sharks: "Can we eat the presents?"). More animals are eliminated during the test run (elephants, cats). When Santa names Team Monkey as his "official SLEIGH PULLERS," the text announces, "THE END." It's not, and there's one more premature "THE absolutely real and final END" before it's down to just one team. "Did the reindeer have what it takes?" Of course, the "for real this time" ending is never in doubt. Willms's bright, lively illustrations match the text's energy and heighten its humor.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2021
40 pp.
| Candlewick
| September, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5362-0137-6$17.99
(2)
K-3
Long ago, a reindeer family in a traveling circus lived, unhappily, far from the North Star and that magical place where "the air was crisp and cold, and the ground was always covered with...snow." These soothing phrases echo throughout as youngest reindeer Dasher escapes; helps Santa and his horse; and finds a new home for her family at the North Pole. Painterly mixed-media illustrations reflect the pleasantly nostalgic tone used throughout this Santa's-reindeer origin story.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| October, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5247-7166-9$17.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Karl James Mountford.
Mia's frustrated that her homemade card won't reach Grandpa before Christmas. She discovers a magical mailbox that transports her to the Reindeer Express office. With help from a flying reindeer, she hand-delivers the card--and a hug--to Grandpa at his Arctic cabin. The simple text focuses on Mia's emotions and sensory details of the season. Thoughtful die-cuts and flaps enhance the jewel-toned illustrations, by turns fantastical and homey.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2018
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Marco Bucci.
These bedtime books employ the familiar structure of wishing others goodnight. Santa says goodnight to each of the reindeer, elves, and toys, but Rudolph needs an extra reminder to turn off his bright red nose (Reindeer). And readers follow a variety of forest animals from rising to "sleepy time" in Forest. Rough but simple rhymes are coupled with blurry detailed illustrations. Review covers these titles: Good Night, Forest and Good Night, Reindeer.
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
On a whim, Milton the moose decides to join the reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. Milton makes a lot of rookie mistakes, but the team encourages him ("All it takes is practice") and, in the end, he saves the day when the reindeer become too tired. Hoff's comical illustrations lend the flat text some charm.
(2)
PS
When reindeer-obsessed Ollie is woken up by a "jingle, jingle, jingle" on Christmas Eve, she follows the sound to the woods, where she meets a friendly reindeer who flies her home. The next morning Ollie finds a gift from a special someone by which to remember the reindeer. Killen's inky illustrations in a muted palette are sophisticated and warm, with well-placed die-cuts.
Reviewer: Julia Tyler
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2017
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-8132-6$15.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Adam Record.
A winsome little girl hears a noise on Christmas Eve and investigates, only to find a crumb trail leading away from the plate of cookies for Santa. So begins a parade through her house as she discovers several visitors, including a mouse, an elf, and a reindeer. A lyrical cumulative text is accompanied by cheerful digital illustrations in this amusing, lighthearted holiday read.
(2)
K-3
In this vibrant, magical wordless book, a girl sleeps in her bed, a toy chicken by her side and a toy reindeer in the corner. Dreaming, the child transforms into a wolf. Outside she meets the chicken and the deer, now animate, and the trio stretches into the heavens to collect a star. Rich-hued, stylized illustrations ground the narrative in a folk-like simplicity.
Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2017
32 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7173-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Rudy the reindeer eats Santa's unwanted serving of Brussels sprouts at Christmas Eve dinner before setting off around the world, good-naturedly passing gas and cracking up the rest of the reindeer. The illustrations and rhyming text are humorous enough, though American kids won't know much of the British slang (pump, trump, windy pop, air poop) contained in this import.
40 pp.
| Abbeville
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7892-1243-6$7.95
(4)
PS
Ping and Pong the penguins are each miffed about having another penguin in his book until they sketch a new setting together. Rudy the reindeer wants the artist to draw him a forest but gets a city, boat, train, and, ultimately, a jolly friend instead. While these stories are slight, the meta interactions are entertaining and the dialogue simple and funny. Review covers these titles: Ping and Pong the Penguins and Rudy the Reindeer.
40 pp.
| Little Simon
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-7495-6$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4424-7497-0
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Antonio Javier Caparo.
"But Rudolph, still bashful, despite being a hero, / Was tired. His sleep on the trip totaled zero." Here's the story that spawned the well-known song and animated TV special. Originally written in 1939 as a department store promotion, these singsongy rhyming couplets are brought to life in a seventy-fifth anniversary edition featuring festive if slick-looking illustrations.
167 pp.
| Scholastic
| December, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-62734-4$14.99
(3)
4-6
Whatever After series.
Abby and Jonah travel through their magic mirror to the story "The Snow Queen" (which may be unfamiliar to readers, though they learn it was an inspiration for the film Frozen). They befriend a reindeer, escape from robbers, and confront the misunderstood Snow Queen. This sixth fractured fairy tale will keep readers chuckling as it delivers a subtle lesson about friendship.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Brian Floca.
A bouncy verse introduces young reindeer Octavia's seven uncles, from Uncle Uno, who wears one hat and one vest, to Uncle Sven, who has written seven books and seven plays. The surprise conclusion reveals that Octavia's uncles join their niece every year to pull Santa's sleigh. This original Christmas counting book is illustrated with energetic art set against snowy backdrops.
(2)
K-3
A distinguished book full of color, fun, and the charm of ways that are just different enough to be fascinating. We see Lise and Lasse driving their reindeer, tumbling in and out of their sleds, and going to school. The children's joy from living in the land where the beautiful Northern lights play in the sky comes shining through, but the text will seem long to twenty-first century children.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-86872-1$16.99
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Bruce Whatley.
Sedentary Wombat embarks on an eventful Christmas Eve journey, transforming from homebody to world traveler. Wombat repeatedly stumbles across its favorite snack (carrots), stares down some reindeer, and curls up for naps on the back of Santa's sleigh. Succinct sentences and episodic pacing allow the adventures to speak for themselves. With their spare backgrounds, the illustrations play up Wombat's personality.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
164 pp.
| Candlewick
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-5080-3$22.99
(2)
YA
When the ice arrived unusually early in September 1897, eight whaling ships were trapped in the Arctic Ocean. The narrative alternates between the desperate whalers, the rescue boat, and the rescue team (members of what would become the Coast Guard). Sandler uses primary sources liberally--textual accounts as well as black-and-white photographs--in this thorough and deliberate tale. Timeline. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2012
32 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-130-4$25.27
(4)
K-3
Built for Cold: Arctic Animals series.
The authors describe various animals that live and thrive in arctic environments. Each volume begins by introducing a scientist studying the title creature; that person acts as expert by providing quotes throughout the book. The information is solid but tends to meander. Colorful photos, maps, sidebars, and accounts of real-life encounters with the animals will engage readers curious about the natural world. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Built for Cold: Arctic Animals titles: Arctic Wolf, Caribou, Wolverine, Polar Bear, Sled Dog, and Walrus.
40 pp.
| McElderry
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-2686-3$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Olivier Latyk.
With Santa too sick to deliver presents, his daughter Jeannette makes the trip. "Everything was going exactly right," until the impertinent reindeer leave her stranded on a rooftop, with the gift drop-off only half completed. Resourceful Jeannette manages to get the job done and even provide a home for some cheerful stray cats and dogs. The stylish cartoon illustrations exude warmth and attitude.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2010
32 pp.
| Sterling
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4027-4462-4$14.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jannie Ho.
When Santa's reindeer go on strike, he auditions various other animals. But the elephants are too heavy (they bust through a roof), and the cats are easily distracted by a mouse. Luckily, the reindeer are lured back with promises of a whirlpool and sauna. Children will enjoy the jaunty rhymes (though they occasionally stumble) and the embossed cartoon illustrations on thick cardstock.