Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf

September 26, 2016
With exaggerated drawings reminiscent of Mad magazine spoofs, McWilliam (When a Dragon Moves In) makes the most of newcomer Wolfe’s comical story. After discovering that some “quite good” children aren’t getting visits from Santa, an elf named Shmelf learns what’s up from the head elf, who tells him, “of course you don’t know, since you’re still quite newish,/ But the kids on this list are actually Jewish.” Intrigued, Shmelf does some reconnaissance at a Jewish home where Hanukkah is in joyous swing, then gets himself appointed the Hanukkah elf—complete with a blue and white costume, a Jewish reindeer named Asher, and a mandate to make Hanukkah a little more “magical.” Three cheers for Shmelf for recognizing that “Hanukkah’s awesome! I’m totally in,” though it may rankle some families to see the Santa juggernaut expand to include Hanukkah, too. Ages 3–6.

October 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-If you have Jewish children worrying about why they don't get Christmas presents even though they've been good, they can thank new elf Shmelf for raising the question with Santa. After witnessing a family's Hanukkah celebrations, Shmelf is delighted: "'Hey, now I get it!' Shmelf said with a grin./'Hanukkah's awesome! I'm totally in!' " Santa, happy that Shmelf cares for Jewish children, decks him out in a blue and white outfit and sends him out with a Jewish reindeer to ensure a good holiday for eight nights in December (some years in November). Bright, colorful illustrations and a perky couplet scheme make this a viable, if odd, storytime title, but somehow the message just seems awkward and leaves a patronizingly bad taste. VERDICT Does Santa really need to mess with Hanukkah? Not recommended.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

What! Some good children will not receive Christmas presents?Santa's elves are busy preparing for Christmas and checking The List for the names of those children deserving of presents. The newest elf, named Shmelf, is aghast to learn that there are many young ones who "would not receive presents, / Though it seemed that they should!" He consults with the head elf, who informs him that these children are "actually Jewish" and that they "celebrate Hanukkah, / Their own jubilee." Shmelf visits a family, observes their joyous festivities, and is thrilled to see all the gifts. Santa then dresses him in blue and white, gives him a sleigh, a Jewish reindeer named Asher, and sends him out on Hanukkah to enhance the festival celebrations; the text suggests that Jewish readers leave him "some gelt and a nice kosher dill." Wolfe tells his tale in rhyming couplets and includes a very brief history of the origins of Hanukkah. McWilliam's digital illustrations are bright and busy, showing both white and black elves and a Jewish family with a white father and a dark-skinned mother; Santa is white. Those in search of seasonal stories that contain a blend of Christmas and Hanukkah will find an entertaining tale here. (Picture book. 3-6) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2016
What! Some good children will not receive Christmas presents?Santa's elves are busy preparing for Christmas and checking The List for the names of those children deserving of presents. The newest elf, named Shmelf, is aghast to learn that there are many young ones who "would not receive presents, / Though it seemed that they should!" He consults with the head elf, who informs him that these children are "actually Jewish" and that they "celebrate Hanukkah, / Their own jubilee." Shmelf visits a family, observes their joyous festivities, and is thrilled to see all the gifts. Santa then dresses him in blue and white, gives him a sleigh, a Jewish reindeer named Asher, and sends him out on Hanukkah to enhance the festival celebrations; the text suggests that Jewish readers leave him "some gelt and a nice kosher dill." Wolfe tells his tale in rhyming couplets and includes a very brief history of the origins of Hanukkah. McWilliam's digital illustrations are bright and busy, showing both white and black elves and a Jewish family with a white father and a dark-skinned mother; Santa is white. Those in search of seasonal stories that contain a blend of Christmas and Hanukkah will find an entertaining tale here. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.