Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The original Rudolph story-as written by the late May for a booklet published in 1939 by retailer Montgomery Ward-enjoys a vivid revival in this 75th-anniversary adaptation. The story, more expansive than the omnipresent Christmas carol, gives Caparo plenty of room to exercise his artistic talents. After being teased by the other reindeer, Rudolph settles into his bedroom, buried under thick quilts and looking forward to gifts from Santa. May's rhymes hold up well to contemporary ears ("And Santa was right, as he usually is./ The fog was as thick as a soda's white fizz"), and after Santa struggles to deliver gifts amid inclement weather, he happily happens upon Rudolph's home and enlists his help. Caparo's wintry spreads, swirled with starlight, have a cinematic richness-a sense of wonder and surprise permeate this whimsical retelling. Ages 4-6. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Written in 1939 for Montgomery Ward department stores, this is the original story that created an icon and inspired the classic song. Told in the style of Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Rudolph of the glowing red nose is teased by the other deer, only taking comfort in the coming of Santa. "He'd get just as much (and this is what pleased him) as the happier, handsomer reindeer who teased him." On Christmas Eve, with a foggy night causing mishaps and endangering his mission, Santa turns to Rudolph to save the day. While not indicated, this version of May's story has been adapted somewhat, with several couplets removed and some changes to words and phrases. This modernizes and streamlines the text, but also affects the richness of the language. The large trim size and many spreads make this a fun and easy choice for families and Rudolph fans to share.-Brooke Sheets, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The worst kind of greeting-card art graces a feeble attempt to make money off of a beloved Christmas song. Every child that knows the lyrics would be better served by singing them instead of suffering through this book. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The original 1939 story about a reindeer with a noteworthy nose serves as the text of this lavishly illustrated, oversize interpretation of Rudolph's place in Christmas lore. The cover illustration draws readers in to the story with an evocative view of Rudolph and the reindeer team pulling Santa and his sleigh through an azure sky. The paper used for the cover has a mottled, opalescent shine which, along with hazy swirls and shimmering bubbles, suggests the magical nature of flying reindeer and Santa himself. This use of glowing illumination to set a mysterious tone is repeated when Rudolph peeks into Santa's toy sack during the Christmas Eve toy delivery, with radiant light emanating from the reindeer's rosy nose, as it does on nearly every page. The 75-year-old rhyming story is a little too long and a little too singsong, with some of the phraseology a trifle dated for today's children and some of the rhyming word pairs struggling to fit the meter. However, there is no other full-sized version of this original story of Rudolph with contemporary illustrations currently in print; most picture-book versions are based on the alternate television version of Rudolph's story. (A new edition of this interpretation, retold by Thea Feldman, also publishes in 2014.) Rudolph and his contribution to the Santa saga seem firmly entrenched in American Christmas tradition, and this fresh look at the reindeer that triumphs over rejection and a seeming disability may be a new holiday classic. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
