From a spirited shark to a cheerful squirrel, the characters in these four graphic novels will inspire holiday cheer in readers.

 

Lowery, Mike. Santa Shark: A Great White Christmas. illus. by Mike Lowery. 32p. Orchard. Oct. 2023. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781338803952.
K-Gr 3–It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Edgar the shark cannot wait! As he prepares for a “verrrry special guest,” Edgar’s best friend, Lotta the crab, speculates who it could be. After several failed guesses, Edgar reveals that it is, of course, Santa Shark. He proceeds to tell his pal all about the Christmas traditions in conjunction with this legendary holiday figure of the ocean: Santa Shark builds toys with the “eelves” and his sleigh is pulled by “magical seahorses,” to name a few. However, a skeptical Lotta is far from convinced. Edgar decides to show her the Christmas spirit and joys of the holiday season, including baking cookies, hanging decorations, and mailing cards to loved ones. As their preparation concludes, they are still missing a key ingredient to making sure Santa Shark visits: snow! Lotta hatches a plan to make sure Edgar has the best Christmas ever as this sweet story of friendship and holiday cheer concludes. With bright colors, speech bubbles, dialogue balloons, and basic panels to break up text, this is a fun introduction to graphic novels for younger readers, and adults will also enjoy the various puns comically sprinkled throughout. VERDICT Appealing to primary readers across several grade ranges, especially if they are shark lovers.–Kerra Mazzariello

Tinkler, Robert. 8 Tiny Reindeer: An Advent Calendar Adventure. illus. by Danesh Mohiuddin. 168p. Kids Can. Sept. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781525304644.
Gr 3-6–In this holiday graphic novel based on the podcast 8 Tiny Reindeer, two of Santa’s elves, Delfina and Elvis, try to save Christmas from evil tech tycoon Larchmont Quickbuck. The story is structured like an advent calendar, with a chapter for each day of December up until Christmas. Santa has embraced technology to the point of letting his elves go and sending his eight reindeer back into the wild. This may seem noble, but having machines create all the toys for the kids and drones delivering all the gifts takes the heart out of the holiday season. Days before Christmas, Quickbuck tells Santa that he will take over Christmas and send Santa packing to the beach. Santa can only save Christmas by bringing back the magic of the Christmas holiday, with the eight tiny reindeer and his elves. Mohiuddin’s graphics are vibrant and creative; the illustrations add to the festive feeling of the holiday season and depict Larchmont Quickbuck’s ruthlessness well. Readers will enjoy the colorful artwork, the modern play on the story of Santa and his elves, and those eight tiny reindeer. VERDICT A hilarious holiday read that is creative and imaginative. This adventurous, heartfelt graphic novel will leave readers excited for the holiday season and rooting for the good guys.–Jacquetta Etheridge

Walstead, Alice. Pup and Dragon: How to Catch an Elf. illus. by Paul Gill. 64p. (How to Catch). Sourcebooks/Wonderland. Sept. 2023. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781728270517.
K-Gr 3–This graphic novel offers a new venue for the imaginative holiday story first portrayed in the picture book of the same name, also an entry in the “How To Catch” series. Pup and Dragon are fun-loving friends on a mission. The wise-cracking pair spot Santa and his elf munching on cookies in their kitchen, and follow them from house to house, encountering an angry cat, a stuck-in-sticky-tape situation, a cardboard maze, and a grocery store inexplicably befitted with a food cannon. The story’s structure is loose to the point of puzzlement, but Pup and Dragon’s energy speeds readers swiftly toward the fabulous finale of Santa hurtling skyward holding fast to a speeding pizza. Christmas is little more than window dressing for the duo’s escapades—the gift-laden fir tree in every home looks nearly identical, the supermarket is strangely devoid of shelving. Pup and Dragon’s rapport is visually underscored by broad facial expressions that reinforce their thoughts and feelings. Despite the story’s weak spots, Pup and Dragon’s lighthearted partnership is infectious and promises an encouraging structure for young graphic novel readers in this and future volumes. VERDICT A loosely Christmas-themed caper with amicable animated heroes, unbound by logic or larger purpose.–Emilia Packard

Watt, Melanie. Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive. illus. by Melanie Watt. 88p. (Scaredy’s Nutty Adventures). Random House Graphic. Oct. 2023. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9780593307618.
Gr 1-3–Scaredy’s knack for planning and generosity make him a great holiday leader for his group of friends. Across six linked chapters, Scaredy and his animal friends Ivy, Tim, and Rash engage in various Christmas-themed activities, each with a twist. From building a gingerbread house (and sealing it so it can’t be ruined) to wrapping gifts (while wearing a shower cap, goggles, and gloves), Scaredy is in control. The occasional surprise frog or germ still sends him reeling, though. All three animal friends are respectful of Scaredy’s methods, even if Tim and Rash are a little reckless with their play. The friendly foursome is drawn as cheerful and inviting as their personalities, with a touch of panic reserved for a turbo-speed chocolate fountain. The charts and diagrams are the cherry (star?) on top, including an opening quiz to determine if readers are too scared of Christmas imagery to continue, a selection of red and green objects that are associated with danger, and of course, Scaredy’s multiple checklists. Scaredy’s knack for composing and demonstrating directions, along with matching others’ qualities to ideal gifts, makes him a great role model for any season. VERDICT There’s nothing to fear about safely building some Christmas cheer with this title.–Thomas Maluck