Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a 24-and-a-half-chapter advent story, Smith delivers a lively holiday adventure. When a distracted boy named Oliver loses his letter to Santa in the wind and snow, Winston the mouse finds it and sets out to ensure that the letter arrives at its destination: "This letter needed to get to Santa Claus!" Memorable moments from his journey include hitching a ride on the back of Lady Prudence Merryweather-Whiskerton the Third, a cat who prefers to dine on salmon over mouse, and flying into the snowy night on a toy plane. Smith includes instructions for Christmas-themed craft activities between chapters (a pom-pom robin, a paper chain); it's a clever way to keep readers to one chapter a day. Though the narrative's tone can be a touch twee, the lengthy, interactive format and Smith's plucky, at times elegantly expressive art may make this a holiday favorite. Ages 6--8. (Sept.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--On a chilly and windy afternoon, eight-year-old Oliver dutifully writes his Christmas letter to Santa and pops it into the mailbox. A cruel wind blows it right back on the street and the letter eventually finds its way to a mouse named Winston. Once this sweet rodent realizes the importance of such a missive failing to arrive at the North Pole, he is determined to deliver it to the jolly man himself. The rest of the book recounts his adventures throughout the city as he meets a plump pigeon, visits an amazing toy shop, and is rescued from certain death by a cat named Pru. In the end, both Oliver and Winston get their Christmas wish and have a very merry holiday. Readers are instructed to read one chapter a day, starting on December first and ending with a half-chapter on Christmas day. Each chapter is around three pages long and is followed by an activity that families can do together, ranging from crafts, recipes, and ways to decorate the home for the season. VERDICT Due to the format, this title is best suited as a gift or to add to a home library.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Neither snow nor rain nor mountains of yummy cheese stay the carrier of a letter to Santa.So carelessly does 8-year-old Oliver stuff his very late letter to Santa into the mailbox that it falls out behind his backleaving Winston, a "small, grubby white mouse" with an outsized heart, determined to deliver it personally though he has no idea where to go. Smith presents Winston's Christmas Eve trek in 24 minichapters, each assigned a December "day" and all closing with both twists or cliffhangers and instructions (mostly verbal, unfortunately) for one or more holiday-themed recipes or craft projects. Though he veers occasionally into preciosity (Winston "tried to ignore the grumbling, rumbling noises coming from his tummy"), he also infuses his holiday tale with worthy values. Occasional snowy scenes have an Edwardian look appropriate to the general tone, with a white default in place but a few dark-skinned figures in view. Less-crafty children will struggle with the scantly illustrated projects, which run from paper snowflakes to clothespin dolls and Christmas crackers with or without "snaps," but lyrics to chestnuts like "The 12 Days of Christmas" (and "Jingle Bells," which is not a Christmas song, but never mind) at the end invite everyone to sing along.A Christmas cozy, read straight or bit by bit through the season. (Fantasy. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
