Good Night, Reindeer

September 4, 2017
Readers get a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and habits of Santa’s reindeer in this bedtime-oriented Christmas story. As Santa and Mrs. Claus bid the reindeer good night (“Good night, reindeer./ Good night, Blitzen./ Time for bed./ Good night, Vixen”), the animals’ bedrooms give readers a sense of their interests: Dancer is pirouetting in a pink tutu instead of sleeping, Cupid is rocking out on drums, studious Donner is planning for the big night with a map and globe, and Dasher is up late reading. Bucci’s digital paintings have a claylike quality reminiscent of 3-D animated films, and Brennan-Nelson’s simple, sturdy rhymes build to a closing gag that involves Rudolph’s unwillingness (or inability) to turn out the lights. A pleasing holiday bedtime story that strikes a neat balance between restfulness and rowdiness. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates.

September 1, 2017
Santa tucks each reindeer in bed for a night of restful sleep before their important journey around the world. The rhyming story opens with a nighttime scene of the reindeer--the familiar, named ones from Dasher through Rudolph--engaged in a snowball fight when Santa and Mrs. Claus call them in. The anthropomorphized reindeer have their own bedrooms in their house at the North Pole, complete with beds, toys, and modern possessions such as an e-reader for Blitzen and a drum set and electric guitar for Cupid. Santa stops at each bedroom to say good night to each reindeer by name, with an added phrase describing that reindeer's special talent or interest. Dancer wears ballet shoes, Comet's room is decorated with models of planets, and Rudolph seems to be reading under the covers using his built-in light. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are white; one of their elves and a doll have brown skin. The rhyming text is catchy and humorous, although two of the rhyming word pairs are near misses (hooves/shoes and elves/bells). The story has echoes of Goodnight Moon in its bidding goodnight to items in bedrooms and in an illustration of a golden moon shining down on the waiting sleigh. Dark, atmospheric illustrations have a surrealistic vibe, mysterious and just short of scary. A fresh take on Santa's reindeer and their imaginary lives at the North Pole. (Picture book. 3-6)

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October 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-In simple, patterned language reminiscent of the classic Goodnight Moon, Mr. and Mrs. Claus say good night to each of their reindeer, saving Rudolph for last. Bucci's paintings are full of humorous details that give each reindeer a distinct personality. "Good night, Donner./Good night, day./Good night, Dasher./Good night, sleigh." The repetition and lulling verse might be just the ticket to settle down excited revelers. VERDICT A good choice for secular Christmas storytimes.-Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies

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