Rating: Additional
Greenwillow, $16.99, 2009
ISBN: 9780061351884
Age/Grade Level: 3-8 years
Sam, a new elf in Santa's workshop, asks Santa why Christmas matters. To discover the answer, Sam stows away on Santa's sleigh and actually follows Santa into a house. The little girl who discovers Santa is so pleased with the toy Sam made that Sam realizes what makes Christmas so special for him.
The digital art used as the basis of the illustrations in this picture book has a soft edge, which gives the book an old-time feeling. Brandon Dorman is primarily an illustrator working wiht digital art for book covers, but he also creates a theme appropriate for young children and adults in this particular story. The illustrations are so detailed and engaging, they compete with the story for attention. Be sure to watch for the mouse.
Reviewer: Anne Williams, OCPL/Fountain Valley