The Lost Gift: A Christmas Story

After Santa drops a package in the woods, a quartet of animals attempts to deliver the gift to its proper destination, in a tender story set in a hushed forest. George (Duck, Duck, Dinosaur) succinctly sketches personalities for her heroes--Rabbit is the exuberant optimist, Bird gets things done, Deer helps cheerfully, and Squirrel is a kvetch. There are some hiccups on their way to a nearby farmhouse, but it's all worth it when they see the New Baby open her gift from Santa, a rattle. (Or, as Squirrel puts it, "a noisy, lumpy stick.") Graegin (How to Share with a Bear) creates sweeping expanses of moonlit snow for the animals to traverse under midnight blue Christmas Eve skies, creating an atmosphere of quiet magic as the animals discover the rewards of doing a kind deed. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

PreS-Gr 1--A quartet of young woodland animals are staying up late to catch sight of Santa flying overhead in his sleigh. They are thrilled to spot him and to wave, but when a gust of wind knocks a present out of his sleigh and it falls to the ground, the friends retrieve it and undertake a laborious journey to bring it to its intended recipient, a baby in a farmhouse, with Squirrel grumping the whole time. When they arrive back home, there's a present waiting for them, with a thank you note from Santa. There isn't much of a story here, but the sweet and slightly dorky expressions of the animals, the cartoon appeal of the illustrations, and the friends' delight at the baby's happiness will charm young readers. VERDICT A cheerful choice for lapsits or storytime.--Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library