Review by Booklist Review
When Noah, his mother, and his little sister, Evie-May, go on a Christmas shopping expedition to a large store, Noah takes Oliver Elephant, his beloved stuffed animal, wherever they go. Mommy buys presents for the relatives on her list, wheeling Evie-May's stroller from one department to another, while Noah and Oliver entertain themselves by playing in each one. But after eating cake at the store's café, Noah discovers that Oliver is missing. Noah is clearly distraught and Mommy's worried, but they retrace their steps and search until Oliver's found. Clearly conveying Noah's loss, his distress, and, later, his joy, the narrative unfolds in fluid rhymed couplets that read aloud well. The story moves along at a good pace, while leaving plenty of room for the illustrations to define details of the characters and settings. Appearing on large double-page spreads, Stephens' expressive ink drawings create a series of inviting scenes, shaded with crayon and bright with watercolor washes. A colorful, Christmas-themed picture book with an emotionally resonant theme and broad appeal.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Spirits are high when Mommy, Noah, and Evie-May Brown, snug in her stroller, zip through town toward the "Christmassy shop at the end of the row" to complete their holiday gift buying. As Mommy leads the way through the department store, ticking purchased items off her list, Noah and his stuffed pal Oliver Elephant share adventures nearby. A welcome snack stop brings the jolly outing to a screeching halt when Noah realizes-post-chocolate cake-that Oliver has gone missing. Luckily, Evie-May sweetly saves the day. Stephens (the How to Hide a Lion series) skillfully changes perspective in paintings that feature loose ink lines and splashes of color as she alternates crowds of shoppers with more intimate spot illustrations of Noah and Oliver. The well-crafted family tale by Peacock (Toby and the Tricky Things) captures holiday bustle while celebrating a child's devotion to a favorite toy companion. Ages 2-5. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
While Mommys busy with Christmas shopping, Noah keeps busy by playing with his beloved stuffed elephant, Oliver: with Noahs help, Oliver tries on a sock, plays peekaboo with Noahs baby sister, etc. Careful viewers may notice the moment when Oliver accidentally slips off a coffee-shop table, but the stuffed elephants exact whereabouts are a mystery to Noah for several suspenseful spreads. The meter of this rhyming tale with a just-right ending occasionally echoes a certain familiar Christmas poem (Theres something weve missedbut, oh, what can it be? / I know! Noah saidIts the star for the tree). Loose-lined pen-and-ink and watercolor wash illustrations with copious white space and frequent warm, bright touches of yellow add to the appeal. shoshana flax (c) Copyright 2018. 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
Noah and his little sister, Evie-May, are Christmas shopping with Mommy.The family heads to a "Christmassy shop" with a long gift list. Evie-May is in a stroller, and Noah has a stuffed elephant named Oliver with him. Noah's love for his favorite toy is evident in the first few illustrations, and the two have lots of imaginary fun with all of the colorful merchandise in the store while Mommy checks names off of the list. Their adventure, complete with the odd mishap or two, is delivered in rhyming text and light, airy, expressive illustrations. Noah and Oliver eventually tire of shopping, and they all stop at a cafe, where a slice of chocolate cake brings a smile back to Noah's facebut Oliver slips off Noah's seat, and they leave without him. When Noah discovers that Oliver is lost, he panics. Children will relate to Noah's anguish as he, Mommy, and Evie-May retrace their steps, revisiting all of the places they'd been, with no luck. Noah cries, "Oliver Elephant, where can you be? / Oliver Elephant, come back to me!" Children will delight in discovering Oliver's hiding place. Some sharp-eyed readers may even have predicted where he's been.A sweet, charming story of overcoming familiar difficulties during the hectic holiday season, with the help of those who love you. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
