Reindeer Christmas by Mark Kimball Moulton

Written by Mark Kimball Moulton

Art by Karen Hillard Good

10¼" x 10¼"

Hardcover with Dust Jacket

$16.00

A Paula Wiseman Book

Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

t h e R E V I E W S a r e I n . . .

One snowy evening, while distributing treats to the forest animals, two children and their grandmother come upon an exhausted and hungry deer. They escort the poor creature to their home, where he is fed and pampered by the cozy fire; before sunrise, he is gone. On Christmas morning, an extra present waits beneath the tree-a small wooden box with a note from Santa Claus himself. It turns out they'd helped one of his reindeer, and, in doing so, saved Christmas. Inside the box is "magic reindeer glow," which will make a wish come true. The resulting wish brings this lyrical, rhyming tale to a satisfying and heartwarming close. The artwork, done in watercolor, instant coffee, and bleach, yields a pleasing shimmery effect. Warm reds, greens, and golds are dappled with creamy flurries of snow, creating a rich texture that complements the linear simplicity of Good's scenery.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles

Public Library

A young, unnamed narrator heads outside on a snowy night to feed the animals that gather. Then near Christmas, the family finds a reindeer who has stumbled in the snow. Grandma urges the sickly reindeer indoors, where she and the two children feed and care for it. When the child awakes, the reindeer is gone, flying across the sky. On Christmas a letter arrived from Santa, who thanks the family. Poor Donner was lost in a blizzard; without him, Santa's sleigh couldn't fly. Because of the care he received, Donner was airborne on Christmas, and in gratitude, Santa gives the children a box with "magic reindeer glow." The text, with its determined, simple rhyme scheme, does its job and moves the story along; but it is the artwork that elevates this. Using watercolors as well as instant coffee and bleach (!), Good creates artwork precise and lovely with a holiday glow. Presumably, it's pinpoints of bleach that give the effect of snow, with the holiday reds and greens add a festive note. A sweet story that captures the magic of Christmas.--Ilene Cooper