FICTION

The Lost Gift

by Kallie GEORGE
illus. by Stephanie Graegin. 40p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Oct. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780553524819.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A quartet of young woodland animals are staying up late to catch sight of Santa flying overhead in his sleigh. They are thrilled to spot him and to wave, but when a gust of wind knocks a present out of his sleigh and it falls to the ground, the friends retrieve it and undertake a laborious journey to bring it to its intended recipient, a baby in a farmhouse, with Squirrel grumping the whole time. When they arrive back home, there's a present waiting for them, with a thank you note from Santa. There isn't much of a story here, but the sweet and slightly dorky expressions of the animals, the cartoon appeal of the illustrations, and the friends' delight at the baby's happiness will charm young readers.
VERDICT A cheerful choice for lapsits or storytime.
Reviewed by Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
A group of forest-animal friends embarks on a quest to return a gift to its rightful owner: the present that dropped from Santa's sleigh is for the "New Baby" (though not that new baby) at a nearby farm. "Santa would want us to deliver it," says Rabbit, and the friends set off, cheerfully-at first. As they trudge along, tired and hungry, thoughts of Santa (who is also journeying through the cold, dark night) urge them forward. Listeners and readers will empathize with the characters' emotions, captured in friendly, digitally colored pencil-and-ink-wash illustrations. The writing is simple yet expressive. And for those readers hoping to land on the "nice" list, the story's last line may resonate the most: "Santa always knows." simran p. gupta
A group of forest-animal friends sets out to return a gift that dropped from Santa's sleigh: a present for the "New Baby" (not that baby) at a nearby farm. Tired and hungry, the friends trudge along, thoughts of Santa (also journeying through the cold, dark night) urging them forward. Digitally colored pencil and ink-wash illustrations capture the characters' emotions.
 , Oct 01, 2016

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