Santa's Littlest Helper

Publishers Weekly

The few, the proud, the Santa's Helpers (who resemble Saint Nick themselves), are reluctant to let the littlest Helper join their elite group. Even though the tiny fellow has the right stuff-he's punctual, makes beautiful toys and bakes a mean cookie-the other Helpers deem him too small. "The children would laugh their heads off!" one scoffs. But the diminutive hero finds another outlet for his kindness when he becomes "Santa for the Animals." Though the season's messages conflict a bit here, readers will find much to like in the chunkily outlined, snowy paintings. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

This warm holiday story has been translated from its original German, but the illustrations are the same and they are definitely the strength of the book. With expansive brush strokes and bold colors sometimes flaked with snow, Henrike Wilson has created a wintry world of Santas, a busy toy and bake shop, a crystal clear Christmas night and a joyous holiday in the forest. The story finds Santa's Littlest Helper eager and ready long before the others only to be denied a spot in the sleigh because he is so small — so small that he barely comes up to the top of the Chief Helper's huge boot. The littlest helper looks even tinier and lonelier under the full moon until he hears the animals of the forest wondering why they have also been forgotten. All of the Littlest Helper's work is not for naught after all as owls and mice are soon prancing around the forest with pullovers and pull toys. The Littlest Helper becomes a hero to the animals and to the returning full-size helpers as well. The story is not new, but a well executed reminder of the season's true theme of giving. 2004, Bloomsbury, Ages 3 to 8.
—Karen Leggett

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-In a northern village, the tiniest of Santa's Helpers (a miniature version of the red-suited gent himself) takes great pride in making toys and baked goods, but he is never allowed to accompany the big man and the other Helpers on Christmas Eve because of his small size. Overhearing some forest creatures complain about being left out of the festivities, he gives all of his homemade gifts to them and officially becomes "Santa for the Animals." The paintings are both dramatic and appealing, with thick, dark lines setting off the reds, whites, and browns of the snowy scenes. A simple, satisfying tale.-E. M. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.