{"id":5610267655,"title":"The Little Red Elf","handle":"the-little-red-elf","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-barbieri-mcgrath\" title=\"Author Barbara Barbieri McGrath\"\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"link to Rosalinde Bonnet's bio\" href=\"\/pages\/rosalinde-bonnet\"\u003eRosalinde Bonnet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOnce upon a time, there was a reindeer, a penguin, a hare, and a little red elf.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEveryone knows elves are industrious and always helping others. But the same cannot be said for reindeer who like to snooze in the straw, or penguins who like to relax in the bath, or hibernating hares. Still, when the Little Red Elf finds some pinecones, she asks for help planting them, watering them, and then decorating the tree that grows from them. Not surprisingly, her friends decline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt isn’t difficult for the Little Red Elf to stay positive, but on Christmas Day, after she’s cleaned all by herself and prepared treats all by herself, young readers must wonder who will help her open all the presents under the beautiful tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdorable illustrations by Rosalinde Bonnet are an abundance of cute and will put readers young and old in the proper holiday spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge-books.com\/previews\/little-red-elf\/little_red_elf_preview1.html\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead an excerpt!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-green-witch\" title=\"The Little Green Witch\"\u003eThe Little Green Witch\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/jingle-bells\" title=\"Jingle Bells\"\u003eJingle Bells\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-last-straw\" title=\"The Last Straw\"\u003eThe Last Straw\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-spread.jpg?4941528903604654037\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath was a nursery school teacher before she dedicated herself to writing children's books full time. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Little Green Witch\u003c\/i\u003e, and many bestselling math concept books. Barbara lives in Natick, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-barbieri-mcgrath\" title=\"Barbara Barbieri McGrath\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Barbara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRosalinde Bonnet, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosalinde Bonnet is an accomplished artist who has illustrated many picture books in her native France. She made her American picture book debut with \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e. Rosalinde lives in Versailles, France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Rosalinde Bonnet's Bio\" href=\"\/pages\/rosalinde-bonnet\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Rosalinde Bonnet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe little red elf is used to doing everything herself while her friends the reindeer, the penguin, and the hare laze around the workshop. It comes as no surprise that her cheerful requests for help preparing for Christmas are quickly dismissed. \"'Who will help me put out milk and cookies?' 'Not I,' said the reindeer. 'Why bother saying yes now?' said the penguin. 'I'm allergic,' said the hare.\" On Christmas morning, however, everyone is more than eager to assist in opening presents. Bonnet's more-than-helpful illustrations give an extra-festive boost to McGrath's already spirited version of a familiar tale. Even at their cheekiest, the reindeer, penguin, and hare look friendly and cuddly. The little red elf's \"most positive of attitudes\" shines through in the text and art, but the pictures also hint that, like her predecessor, she's no chump. Speaking of whom, the little red hen herself makes a cameo appearance in the poetically just ending.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Know Mom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce upon a time, there was a reindeer, a penguin, a hare, and a little red elf. I will be the first to admit the adorable cover of this book initially roped me in. A little red elf? How \u003cem\u003eI want to gobble it up\u003c\/em\u003e cute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will also be the first to admit I was a little weary of another \u003cem\u003eLittle Red Hen\u003c\/em\u003e spoof, but this Christmas book is one to have in your collection for 24 Days of Christmas Books. The insanely cute illustrations that drew me into this book are by Rosalinde Bonnet, a very nice compliment to the sweet story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e by Barbara Barbieri McGrath is based around this rather unlikely group of friends. While the little red elf is fastidiously working her little red buns off in the workshop, her pals are snoozing and relaxing. One day while doing her daily tasks, the little red elf stumbles upon a few pinecones. Who will help her plant these pinecones? You know how the story goes — “not I,” says each friend. And so she plants a pinecone herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cheery elf can not be deterred and she takes care of the tree alone throughout it’s stages of growth until it is time to bring it into the workshop. She lugs it in and decorates it, the only thing her friends can offer is criticism. And so goes life for the little red elf. But don’t you know, as soon as the morning comes to open all the presents around her beautiful pine tree, all of the friends are ready to help open them. Typical. Here is a nice chance to talk about selfishness and the consequences of bad behavior. The ending threw my daughter for a loop and I had to explain it to her as it is a play on \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Hen\u003c\/em\u003e aspect, but all in all, she loved it. Her shocked face at the actions of the friends was enough to tell me the story was sinking in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is certainly a book to read to the kids this Christmas, a great one for Santa to bring as well. With focus on the little red elf’s work ethic in opposition to her friends’ pure laziness, it is a book that will have your kids frustrated! Maybe they will even offer to help you with your daily tasks. Crazier things have happened. The story is solid and Bonnet’s illustrations are beyond perfect. Must find something else she has illustrated that isn’t in French! Purchase \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e for your 24 Days of Christmas Books collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cute little elf in red overalls and stocking cap is an efficient worker who gets everything done herself including making toys for Santa. She lives with her friends—a reindeer, a penguin and a hare—but they prefer to sleep or play rather than help with household talks. When the little red elf finds a pine cone and plants it the plot then follows the structure of \"The Little Red Hen.\" The little elf does all the preparations for Christmas herself while her friends lie around, but then they want to open all the presents on Christmas morning. In a clever twist, the many presents for the lazy ones are all stuffed little-red-hen toys. Bonnet's illustrations are bright and cheerful, with a sweet elf and comical creatures as the non-helpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcGrath recasts the Little Red Hen folktale in a holiday setting. A hardworking elf lives at a North Pole workshop with three lazy but likable toys: a reindeer, rabbit and penguin. The elf asks for help growing and decorating a pine tree along with other Christmas activities, but all three toys decline. Finally, the elf has a meltdown. Readers will giggle at the ne'er-do-well toys in Bonnet's sweetly amusing acrylic and pen illustrations (the reindeer floats Christmas ornaments in the tub), but the punch line the gifts under the tree are all red hens may require explanation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe little red elf has a bunch of lazy housemates a reindeer, a penguin, and a hare who won t help out in the toy workshop or assist her in planting and caring for a little pine tree. When the tree is grown, she digs it up, decorates it, and bakes cookies. The next morning, she asks, Who will help me open the presents? Only then do the housemates volunteer. In a sly wink from Santa, the presents turn out to be toy Little Red Hens. This sweet version is simply told but includes plenty of funny asides (Well, I love being busy! the little red elf exclaims after yet another failed attempt to get help). The acrylic and ballpoint-pen illustrations are full of childlike humor, depicting cute North Pole characters who look like toys themselves. This is that rare beast an endearing holiday book without a hint of treacle. \u003cem\u003e–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/products\/little-red-elf-cvr.jpg?v=1457966590\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-hires.zip?17863841298929584578\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-activity-guide.pdf?17863841298929584578\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-237-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-236-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book PDF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-067-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-6\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2016-03-14T11:48:00-04:00","created_at":"2016-03-14T10:39:41-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play","fairytale"],"price":795,"price_min":795,"price_max":795,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":17696056583,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"92377","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Little Red Elf - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":795,"weight":142,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-237-7","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/little-red-elf-cover.jpg?v=1586805164"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/little-red-elf-cover.jpg?v=1586805164","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"The Little Red Elf book cover","id":5804117360719,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/little-red-elf-cover.jpg?v=1586805164"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/little-red-elf-cover.jpg?v=1586805164","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-barbieri-mcgrath\" title=\"Author Barbara Barbieri McGrath\"\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"link to Rosalinde Bonnet's bio\" href=\"\/pages\/rosalinde-bonnet\"\u003eRosalinde Bonnet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOnce upon a time, there was a reindeer, a penguin, a hare, and a little red elf.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEveryone knows elves are industrious and always helping others. But the same cannot be said for reindeer who like to snooze in the straw, or penguins who like to relax in the bath, or hibernating hares. Still, when the Little Red Elf finds some pinecones, she asks for help planting them, watering them, and then decorating the tree that grows from them. Not surprisingly, her friends decline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt isn’t difficult for the Little Red Elf to stay positive, but on Christmas Day, after she’s cleaned all by herself and prepared treats all by herself, young readers must wonder who will help her open all the presents under the beautiful tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdorable illustrations by Rosalinde Bonnet are an abundance of cute and will put readers young and old in the proper holiday spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge-books.com\/previews\/little-red-elf\/little_red_elf_preview1.html\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead an excerpt!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-green-witch\" title=\"The Little Green Witch\"\u003eThe Little Green Witch\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/jingle-bells\" title=\"Jingle Bells\"\u003eJingle Bells\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-last-straw\" title=\"The Last Straw\"\u003eThe Last Straw\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-spread.jpg?4941528903604654037\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarbara Barbieri McGrath was a nursery school teacher before she dedicated herself to writing children's books full time. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Little Green Witch\u003c\/i\u003e, and many bestselling math concept books. Barbara lives in Natick, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/barbara-barbieri-mcgrath\" title=\"Barbara Barbieri McGrath\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Barbara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRosalinde Bonnet, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosalinde Bonnet is an accomplished artist who has illustrated many picture books in her native France. She made her American picture book debut with \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e. Rosalinde lives in Versailles, France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Rosalinde Bonnet's Bio\" href=\"\/pages\/rosalinde-bonnet\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Rosalinde Bonnet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe little red elf is used to doing everything herself while her friends the reindeer, the penguin, and the hare laze around the workshop. It comes as no surprise that her cheerful requests for help preparing for Christmas are quickly dismissed. \"'Who will help me put out milk and cookies?' 'Not I,' said the reindeer. 'Why bother saying yes now?' said the penguin. 'I'm allergic,' said the hare.\" On Christmas morning, however, everyone is more than eager to assist in opening presents. Bonnet's more-than-helpful illustrations give an extra-festive boost to McGrath's already spirited version of a familiar tale. Even at their cheekiest, the reindeer, penguin, and hare look friendly and cuddly. The little red elf's \"most positive of attitudes\" shines through in the text and art, but the pictures also hint that, like her predecessor, she's no chump. Speaking of whom, the little red hen herself makes a cameo appearance in the poetically just ending.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Know Mom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce upon a time, there was a reindeer, a penguin, a hare, and a little red elf. I will be the first to admit the adorable cover of this book initially roped me in. A little red elf? How \u003cem\u003eI want to gobble it up\u003c\/em\u003e cute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI will also be the first to admit I was a little weary of another \u003cem\u003eLittle Red Hen\u003c\/em\u003e spoof, but this Christmas book is one to have in your collection for 24 Days of Christmas Books. The insanely cute illustrations that drew me into this book are by Rosalinde Bonnet, a very nice compliment to the sweet story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e by Barbara Barbieri McGrath is based around this rather unlikely group of friends. While the little red elf is fastidiously working her little red buns off in the workshop, her pals are snoozing and relaxing. One day while doing her daily tasks, the little red elf stumbles upon a few pinecones. Who will help her plant these pinecones? You know how the story goes — “not I,” says each friend. And so she plants a pinecone herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cheery elf can not be deterred and she takes care of the tree alone throughout it’s stages of growth until it is time to bring it into the workshop. She lugs it in and decorates it, the only thing her friends can offer is criticism. And so goes life for the little red elf. But don’t you know, as soon as the morning comes to open all the presents around her beautiful pine tree, all of the friends are ready to help open them. Typical. Here is a nice chance to talk about selfishness and the consequences of bad behavior. The ending threw my daughter for a loop and I had to explain it to her as it is a play on \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Hen\u003c\/em\u003e aspect, but all in all, she loved it. Her shocked face at the actions of the friends was enough to tell me the story was sinking in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is certainly a book to read to the kids this Christmas, a great one for Santa to bring as well. With focus on the little red elf’s work ethic in opposition to her friends’ pure laziness, it is a book that will have your kids frustrated! Maybe they will even offer to help you with your daily tasks. Crazier things have happened. The story is solid and Bonnet’s illustrations are beyond perfect. Must find something else she has illustrated that isn’t in French! Purchase \u003cem\u003eThe Little Red Elf\u003c\/em\u003e for your 24 Days of Christmas Books collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cute little elf in red overalls and stocking cap is an efficient worker who gets everything done herself including making toys for Santa. She lives with her friends—a reindeer, a penguin and a hare—but they prefer to sleep or play rather than help with household talks. When the little red elf finds a pine cone and plants it the plot then follows the structure of \"The Little Red Hen.\" The little elf does all the preparations for Christmas herself while her friends lie around, but then they want to open all the presents on Christmas morning. In a clever twist, the many presents for the lazy ones are all stuffed little-red-hen toys. Bonnet's illustrations are bright and cheerful, with a sweet elf and comical creatures as the non-helpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMcGrath recasts the Little Red Hen folktale in a holiday setting. A hardworking elf lives at a North Pole workshop with three lazy but likable toys: a reindeer, rabbit and penguin. The elf asks for help growing and decorating a pine tree along with other Christmas activities, but all three toys decline. Finally, the elf has a meltdown. Readers will giggle at the ne'er-do-well toys in Bonnet's sweetly amusing acrylic and pen illustrations (the reindeer floats Christmas ornaments in the tub), but the punch line the gifts under the tree are all red hens may require explanation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe little red elf has a bunch of lazy housemates a reindeer, a penguin, and a hare who won t help out in the toy workshop or assist her in planting and caring for a little pine tree. When the tree is grown, she digs it up, decorates it, and bakes cookies. The next morning, she asks, Who will help me open the presents? Only then do the housemates volunteer. In a sly wink from Santa, the presents turn out to be toy Little Red Hens. This sweet version is simply told but includes plenty of funny asides (Well, I love being busy! the little red elf exclaims after yet another failed attempt to get help). The acrylic and ballpoint-pen illustrations are full of childlike humor, depicting cute North Pole characters who look like toys themselves. This is that rare beast an endearing holiday book without a hint of treacle. \u003cem\u003e–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/products\/little-red-elf-cvr.jpg?v=1457966590\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-hires.zip?17863841298929584578\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/little-red-elf-activity-guide.pdf?17863841298929584578\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-237-7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-236-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book PDF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-067-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-6\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}