For two decades, readers have loved this classic Christmas story, which was one of the first children's books to hit the New York Times best...
read full description
reviews
Dec 10, 2008
Scott
rated it: 
Jan Brett is one of those children's book illustrators whose work is instantly recognizable. I can't think of any artist I've seen attempt to imitate his (her?) uniquely Scandinavian style. He/She uses dark outlines to set off the major figures and objects, but then uses finely brushed detail in blossoming colors to draw the viewer into the paintings. The margins and borders are always richly ornamented, and often contain tidbits and scenes that amount to a mini story in themselves. In this Chri
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 03, 2008
Chandra
rated it:
I am so relieved to find a Jan Brett book that I finally loved! Her illustrations are beyond gorgeous, but the other few books I've read just didn't grab me. Now I get it though! The neat thing about this book is that there are 2 simultaneous stories going on. The main story is about Teeka who must find and train eight wild reindeer to lead Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. It is a sweet story about the effectiveness of being a patient and gentle leader rather than being a taskmaster. Teeka
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 09, 2011
Alice
rated it: 
I've heard a lot of thoughts on this book, and a lot of mixed opinions. Personally, I love this book. It's been a favorite for years. We'll bring it out and read it every year without a doubt!
I've seen a lot of people try and describe the meaning of this book. Many people seem to think that it's about how to treat animals, but I think they're missing the point. Teeka is so determined that she's going to show Santa how wonderful she is at bringing the reindeer in that she just trie More...
I've seen a lot of people try and describe the meaning of this book. Many people seem to think that it's about how to treat animals, but I think they're missing the point. Teeka is so determined that she's going to show Santa how wonderful she is at bringing the reindeer in that she just trie More...
Dec 25, 2010
Logan
rated it: 
I love Brett's illustrations and Logan really likes poring over the details in them. This isn't one of our favorites though in terms of the story. Teeka, one of Santa's elves, is scheduled to be the one to re-tame the reindeer this year after they've spent all year running wild. The thing is, she has no idea how to treat animals. She decided to be "firm," which means she spends the majority of the book yelling at them, tugging the around, combing them too hard, and not paying any atten
More...
Oct 06, 2011
Jacki
rated it: 
The Wild Christmas Reindeer is a picturebook written for Primary readers.
The book tells the story of a young child chosen by Santa to round up the reindeer needed to help fly his sleigh Christmas Eve. The reindeer have been running wild since the previous Christmas which makes for a difficult time getting them to behave.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer is not a traditional Christmas book. While the setting is the North Pole and there are reindeer to pull Santa's sleigh, ther More...
The book tells the story of a young child chosen by Santa to round up the reindeer needed to help fly his sleigh Christmas Eve. The reindeer have been running wild since the previous Christmas which makes for a difficult time getting them to behave.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer is not a traditional Christmas book. While the setting is the North Pole and there are reindeer to pull Santa's sleigh, ther More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 28, 2008
Kathleen
rated it:
This is a very sweet story about a girl who lives near the North Pole who's job it is to collect the reindeer from the wild and teach them how to work together to pull Santa's sleigh. It's refreshing to have a different kind of Christmas story. Although Santa is in this book, he's not in it till the very end and the focus is on the girl. I love that on each page, their is a sidebar with a countdown to Christmas, showing elves doing various jobs to make toys. I think my daughter loved looking at
More...
Dec 15, 2011
Mary
rated it:
This book is about a girl named Teeka who is in charge of getting Santa's reindeer together and trained by Christmas eve so that Santa can deliver presents. She starts by being aggressive and tough with the reindeer and the reindeer do not take well to her behavior. In the end when she apologizes and approaches the reindeer in a nicer way, the reindeer behave and work with Teeka to be ready for Santa.
I would use this book, not only because it's holiday themed, but also because it could te More...
I would use this book, not only because it's holiday themed, but also because it could te More...
Sep 23, 2009
Sue
rated it:
Title: The Wild Christmas Reindeer
Author: Jan Brett
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, The Year Of Readers – 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009, Summer Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Christmas in July, What an Animal II, More...
Author: Jan Brett
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, The Year Of Readers – 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009, Summer Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Christmas in July, What an Animal II, More...
Dec 15, 2011
animaldisneyreaderfan4lyfe7
rated it:
Jan writes AND illustrates her books. She does a really great job with it. Even if you've outgrown children's books, it's still fun to look at the artwork. I enjoy this title, and also Annie and the Wild Animals. The story draws you in, and both young and adult readers will have fun seeing the reindeer's mishaps. I recommend this book to read to young kids when they come over.
Dec 02, 2009
Hannah
rated it:
As Christmas draws closer, I remember this well loved (and much read) book from my teenaged daughter's childhood.
Lovely, beautiful illustrations and a charming story. I would recommend this for any parent of a 3-10 year old (and maybe older!) for family Christmas reading. My well-worn copy will be coming out of storage very soon!
Lovely, beautiful illustrations and a charming story. I would recommend this for any parent of a 3-10 year old (and maybe older!) for family Christmas reading. My well-worn copy will be coming out of storage very soon!
Dec 07, 2011
Firstgradejags
rated it:
Teeka wanted get the reindeer ready for Christmas Eve, but she was mean to them, so they didn't work hard for her and got all Tangled up. Then she said she was sorry and they forgave her. They were all ready for Santa on Christmas Eve. We learned that being nice is more important than being mean.
Sep 15, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Teeka is the main character in this book. She is helping Santa get the reindeer ready to fly and she was trying very hard, but she is having a bit of trouble and so are the reindeers! Can she get herself out of this mess and be in time for Christmas?? Beautiful art by Jan Brett.
Dec 06, 2009
Kirei
rated it:
I think the illustrations deserve five stars. The story is not that exciting and deserves only three stars. It is about a girl elf who takes care of Santa's reindeer, which interestingly have names like Heather, Tundra, and Twilight--not anything like Blitzen or Rudolph.
Sep 26, 2011
Christiana
rated it:
This young boy has a problem on his hands- and must prepare the reindeer for Santa. Great book for Christmas time. I wouldn't use this book unless it was Christmas- also I think this book is a great book for the students to make hypothesis about the story.
Jan 14, 2012
Dolly
rated it:
We borrowed a kit from our local library which included this audiocassette, narrated by Randye Kaye and a paperback book with ISBN 0698116526. We'd had this one on hold for over a month and it just came in. Unfortunately, the book was missing the first few pages, but we still enjoyed listening to the story and catching up with the book when we could. The story was good, but as always, Jan Brett's illustrations are amazing. We enjoyed listening to this story together.
More...
Jan 06, 2009
Holly
rated it:
Cute story and an easily understood moral for a young child. However, what's with the reindeer names? These are suppose to be Santa's reindeer so they really should be called Prancer and Vixon, etc.
Sep 19, 2010
Kelsey
rated it:
I love pictures by Jan Brett. I had to simplify the story for my 2 year old since there is a fair amount of text. The story is very cute and with a good message. There's lots to see in the border illustrations
Dec 29, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
Teeka must get these wild reindeer ready to pull the sleigh, but screaming at them is not working. Best part: Beautiful pictures, learning how to teach. Ages 5-10.
Nov 06, 2010
Alexandra
rated it:
This is one of my favorite books by Jan Brett. I have loved it since I was a child, and I still do! The story is funny, creative, and well-illustrated.
Jan 07, 2009
Doree
rated it: 
This was a gift, so we were obligated to keep it. The pictures are pretty and super detailed, but I hate the mean talking throughout.
Jan 03, 2009
Sy
rated it:
This author's drawings are fabulous. The kids love all the little drawings in the margins that tell separate little stories.
Jan 16, 2011
Tanya
rated it:
Well, we just love Jan Brett's illustrations... there's so much to see and talk about than just the story.
Dec 28, 2010
Shauna
rated it:
I love the intricacy of Jan Brett illustrations. This is a definite favorite in our Christmas stash.
Dec 28, 2009
Meadow
rated it:
I think Hazel liked the side pictures better than the story. The illustrations are great.
Apr 13, 2010
Jen
rated it:
Good story. The book will show children that it is important to be patient, and treat animals kindly.
Jan 12, 2010
Gwen
rated it:
My grandmother gave me this book when I was little, and I fell in love with it.
Dec 20, 2011
BeckyDMBR
rated it:
My son brought this home from the school library and read it to everyone before bed. Sweet story. Beautiful illustrations.
