Santa’s Busy Reindeer

Santa’s Busy Reindeer by Ed Allen, illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-418-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ed Allen has produced another sweet reverse counting picture book version of Ten Green Bottles and this time it is especially for Christmas. Here, Santa’s reindeer are busily getting ready for the festive season as one after another drops off the page for different reasons, until finally the last (red-nosed) reindeer couldn’t reach very far, and there were no more of Santa’s reindeer left to put up the Christmas Star. Santa has to round them all up to pull the sleigh.

The illustrations set a playful tone, soft and light, with the reindeers going about their business with humorous consequences. As in the other versions, each reindeer has distinct characteristics which can be followed throughout the pages until it is their turn to disappear from the story. On every page also, the corresponding number is hidden somewhere.

The wording can be a little awkward at times, the rhythm is often lost in order for the rhyme to work, but this can be overlooked as it is a sweet Christmas book and sure to engage the very young with counting, funny situations and delightful pictures.

How Santa Arrived at the North Pole

How Santa Arrived at the North Pole by Fred Strassberg, illustrated by Graeme Compton (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN: 9781925117271

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

This is an unusual offering for so early in the year — but ready in time for Christmas in July!

Santa, I learned to my surprise in this illustrated chapter book, had many difficulties as he began his career in delivering Christmas cheer.

After an aromatic disaster involving sleigh-hauling skunks from the Catskills, followed by a major miscalculation with their brown bear replacements, (something to do with winter hibernation), Santa packs up his toys, his elves and Mrs Claus and relocates from the good ole US of A to Africa.

Elephants. Large flappy ears. Good for flying. Tick, tick, tick. Yep, the idea works a treat until they land on the first roof. And there is no more roof. Not much house, either.

Off to Australia. Kangaroos. A little ripper of an idea. With a bound, they are off. And all is well until that long hop to England. Santa feels a little green, instead of red, and throws up indelicately in a fireplace while delivering gifts.

Back to Africa. It doesn’t take long to decide that crocodiles from the Nile are a bad idea for hauling sleighs. Camels sound perfect -- until they get upset, and spit all over Santa.

Finally, Santa lets Mrs Claus loose with a globe. She plunks down her finger - and the rest, as we all know, is history.

The bright cartoon-like illustrations in this fast-read chapter book lift the storyline. With a light, deft touch in the grossness stakes, it will appeal to boys still at the age to enjoy all the farts, vomits and spitting.