The Elf Who Lived Next Door (Child Creative Press Christmas Tales)

ISBN 0866113339 - I'm always happy to add to my collection of Christmas books, especially when I find a story I haven't read a million times before. The Elf Who Lived Next Door by Bill and Susan Karnovsky fits in nicely. Melissa is sure that their neighbor, Mr Short, is an elf. Her brother, Joe, on the other hand, doesn't believe in elves - or Santa! When Mr Short has to leave town on business the day before Christmas, he asks the kids to feed his guppies and Melissa is excited. This is her chance to see the inside of an elf's house! Joe reminds her what they're there for but it does no good, as Melissa looks around and finds more evidence that Mr Short is, indeed, an elf. Their neighbor arrives home just then, with a few surprises, not the least of which is the sound of a sleigh on the rooftop. The story is a tad abrupt. Melissa says Mr Short is an elf, he gives them the key and they go inside; he returns while they're inside. The text does indicate a passage of time - the key is given to them on the day before Christmas and, when Joe tells Melissa that he doesn't believe in Santa, she points out all the gifts he received. That does show that it's actually a couple days later, at least, but it's so subtle that it's almost unnoticeable. The illustrations by Yvette Banek are cute and have lots of fun detail. There is a mouse in almost every illustration and other animals are sprinkled here and there. Mr Short's Christmas tree even has a face. Not destined to be a great Christmas classic, but it's a fun little book. - AnnaLovesBooks