The Little Reindeer

One of my all time favorite books to read to young children! I read this book every year to second graders, and they end up loving it as much as I do. The illustrations are simply wonderful. The soft blue skies dotted with snow turn into the bright yellow lights of Santa's helpers working, which turn into the soft gray of the night sky, on a snow covered roof. They are visually stunning, and are perfect for the story. The little reindeer is accidentally wrapped as gift and is placed in Santa's sleigh. He ends up getting delivered, standing on the apartment rooftop in gift wrap. The boy hears something crunching in the snow, and goes up to the roof and finds his present. He's excited to get this gift, and lets his pigeons out of their shed so the reindeer has a place to stay. The pigeons don't mind sharing; they return to the roof several times during the story. The boy feeds the reindeer several different cereals, milk, and peanut butter. He discovers peanut butter is the reindeer's favorite food. As winter turns to spring, the reindeer gets bigger, and the boy and his pigeons begin teaching the reindeer how to fly. They go short distances at first until the reindeer eventually flies all over the autumn night skies. The boy now knows the reindeer will be ready for his real job-pulling Santa's sleigh. He gives the reindeer his favorite dinner of peanut butter on Christmas Eve. Not long after, the reindeer is picked up by Santa. A note is left by Santa thanking the boy, as well as red ribbons with bells tied around the neck of each pigeon. Every time the pigeons leave their shed the bells can be heard ringing in the sky. "The Little Reindeer" is really a story about sharing and caring-and isn't that the true spirit of Christmas? It's a story they most likely haven't heard before, and a perfect choice for a public school audience. I recommend you pick this up, if you can find it. It has been out of print for a few years, although I think they have re-released it recently.

This is a wonderful story, BEAUTIFULLY illustrated. An adorable African-American boy who lives in a big city finds a baby reindeer. He cares for the little reindeer on the roof of his high-rise apartment until the following year, when it is grown up and ready to return to Santa. This is an especially good book for all those kids without chimneys who live in apartments! :) The illustrations are sweet and gently humorous. You will love reading this beautiful book to your kids-- it is full of both the magic and the goodness of Christmas.

This sweet story is about a young reindeer who is accidentally left behind and the little boy who takes care of him for a year. The caring, unselfish friendship between the child and the animal is a wonderful expression of the spirit of Christmas. The snowy North Pole scenes, the colorful elves, and the magical citiscape viewed from the rooftop of the boy's high-rise are beautiful. My kids instantly loved this tale of friendship and adventure. We have read it dozens of times. It will surely be a favorite for years.