The Animals' Santa

September 15, 2014
As she did in 1996’s The Mitten, Brett evokes a wintry landscape filled with animals, distinguished by her signature level of meticulous detail. On his first Christmas Eve, Little Snow, a rabbit in a North Canadian forest, voices skepticism about the existence of the “animals’ Santa.” After all, no other animals have seen him or spotted his tracks in the snow. Even Little Snow’s friends’ descriptions of gifts Santa has left for them don’t persuade Little Snow, who complains, “I think you are fooling me.” As the animals speculate on Santa’s identity, lemming “elves” are busy in sidebar panels, making birch bark drums, pinecone animals, and other gifts. Native American artwork created with porcupine quills inspired the distinctive patterns that frame these border scenes. The dramatic arrival of Santa—an exquisite snowy owl—is well worth the wait. Ages 3–5.

September 1, 2014
Brett's latest holiday offering is set in northern Canada, featuring a cast of forest animals who celebrate Christmas together with handmade gifts left by their own special Santa. On Christmas Eve, Big Snowshoe is explaining the holiday to his younger brother, Little Snow, who is experiencing his first holiday celebration. The older hare and the other animals describe the presents they have received from Santa in the past, though they have never seen him and don't really know who he is. The animals decorate their Christmas tree as they speculate on Santa's identity, suggesting other, larger animals, such as a polar bear or a moose. The main story takes place across the center of each spread, but in Brett's signature structural design, on the side of each page is a separate panel that presents a secondary story. The frames of these detailed panels are done in the style of traditional quillwork, with intricately woven motifs and a central opening in each showing tiny, red-capped lemmings creating Christmas gifts from natural materials. The animals awaken as Christmas presents begin falling from the sky at midnight, and the final spread reveals the animals' Santa as a snowy owl wearing a pointed, red cap and carrying a basket of handmade gifts. Brett excels at snowy settings, and her legions of fans will enjoy this well-told tale accompanied by her usual highly detailed watercolor illustrations and skillfully integrated secondary story. (Picture book. 4-8)

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October 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-The woodland denizens of a northern Canadian forest can't wait for Christmas, because that's when their Santa secretly leaves gifts (heart-shaped stones, bells, acorns, and the like) for everyone. Big Snowshoe the rabbit is absolutely convinced of Santa's existence; Little Snow, his younger brother, is a bit more skeptical, and nothing Big Snowshoe or the other animals say as they decorate a Christmas tree make him feel any differently. Side panels on each page show lemming elves creating the various gifts. A minor accident on the frozen stream gives Big Snowshoe the idea to hang ice crystals on twigs, and the sound they make alerts everyone to the appearance of Santa, who is a snowy owl. As usual, Brett's illustrations are the highlight-lush and magical, filled with whimsical details that will reward repeated viewings. The story itself is adequate (though the twist in which the predator delivers gifts to his normal prey is ingenious) and could play a part in a nonreligious holiday program.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2014
Preschool-G This entertaining holiday story reveals how the forest animals receive their Christmas gifts. A young snowshoe hare, celebrating his first Christmas, is told that the animals' Santa will be delivering presents that night. Little Snow is skeptical since no one has ever seen this Santa and there are no footprints, sounds, or other signs of his visits. Then, presents rain down from above and he catches sight of the benefactor. Brett's signature meticulously detailed watercolor-and-gouache illustrations are eye-catching. On either side of the main paintings appear small, intricately designed Native Americanstyle quillwork frames containing owl-shaped inserts with pictures of lemming elves busily making presents. Whether or not children have ever questioned if wild animals celebrate Christmas, this satisfying story will spark their imaginations and add to their holiday pleasure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)