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Why the Reindeer Were Chosen
Santa Claus didn't always have a magic sleigh. There was a time, long, long ago, when Santa made his journey on foot. But with more and more home to visit each year, Santa feared he might have to retire...until his chief elf devised a grand solution.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 2, 2012
I might have liked this one better when I was a kid. It tells how Santa had to get some help to get to all the houses on Christmas Eve, and his chief elf suggests that he recruit some animals to pull the sleigh. Well, quite a menagerie shows up! I think kids will chuckle at the elephant, crocodile and other animals that audition to pull Santa's sleigh! It's cute and funny, for sure. Santa is adorable and the illustrations are great.
December 1, 2020
This book is a story about how Santa started riding a sleigh on Christmas Eve night. Originally Santa would only walk around the world to deliver presents, but the world was starting to become more populated and he found he was struggling more and more each year to deliver before sun came out. Over the course of winter, Elwin the Elf tried to think of ideas to make delivering presents easier for Santa. Soon, he came up with the idea of a sleigh; but who would guide the sleigh at night?
January 9, 2017
"Destined to become a Yuletide Classic, The Reindeer Christmas will bring joy to this and every Christmas, from now until forever."
That's too much. Now until forever? Who actually had the gall to say that?
The first page was cute, with Santa in his customary red suit and a little elf dressed exactly the same--weird for the elf to be in a red suit with white fur trimmings just like Santa--running through the woods holding a lantern. I liked the elf's name, Elwin.
"If anyone sees us, our magic will be lost forever."
I liked the picture of them in his study. The illustrations were so intricate because there was so much to look at and so many little details and objects. It kept the eye moving around, trying to take it all in.
It also gave an interesting dilemma which hooked readers, having Santa lament that it might be his last Christmas because there were too many houses to visit. Kids would probably be curious to how Christmas was saved.
It's a cool idea that his chief elf came up with the idea to get Santa a sleigh from watching people sledding, and that Santa had reservations about it because he knew they couldn't pull such a big sleigh. I really liked the little poem Elwin said. Such magic in it.
"An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
It took a turn though that Santa asked who would pull the sleigh, and Elwin replied that they would advertise. That was odd. More so when all of these wild animals come, like elephants, lion, camel, monkey, turtle, panda bear, flamingo, parakeet, fox, zebra, dog, porcupine, mole, polar bear, gorilla, giraffe, snake and some animals I couldn't identify. Some just made no sense, like animals from other continents, a world away practically and not even suited to that environment, but especially the ones that were way too small to do anything much less pull such a huge and heavy sleigh, like the snake, mole and mouse. That made no sense to include them. More care should have been given to the animals displayed as candidates.
It was cute showing the process of the elephant flying the sleigh, and making a perfect landing on top of a house. Santa had his arms raised in happiness, then the next image showed the elephant falling through the roof. Santa looked so cute flying up out of the sleigh, one hand holding the edge and legs in the air. Kids would get a kick out of that.
Then it ran through the crocodile's trial run, which hadn't even been there in the previous picture of everyone who showed up. It was funny though how it was written that Santa was polite in turning them down. He stood timidly amidst the crocodiles, who were slyly grinning, clasping his hands together, while Elwin was back to back with him with wide eyes, one elf was climbing a tree and the other hiding behind it.
The huskies were cute, the leader saying that if he wanted the sleigh pulled properly he needed professionals. They were fast and smooth, until they looked down at the ground, got scared, and jumped into Santa's sleigh. Surprised that they could talk though.
Santa looked so cute with his head in his hand, eyes rolled upward as the boars were eating apples off the trees.
It was a nice picture with Santa walking down the snowy lane with his hands behind his back.
It was disappointing how the reindeer showed up the day before Christmas asking for help because one fell into a gorge and broke its leg. Elwin suggested using the sleigh as an ambulance and that's how the reindeer came to pull the sleigh. Once they rescued the reindeer and got back, the main one volunteered to pull the sleigh tonight as a thank you. No mention of how he knew Santa needed help with the sleigh that night.
And omg, it just fast forwarded to years afterward with no explanation of why the reindeer continued to help him on Christmas every single year after that.
"And so began a journey that would happen every year until forever."
What is with the forever business? It's so dramatic.
This wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be, so I was disappointed. I could have done without all those exotic animals having tryouts and a more magical reason for reindeer doing it year after year rather then just they did it to repay a kindness, and then just kept on doing it for no reason.
That's too much. Now until forever? Who actually had the gall to say that?
The first page was cute, with Santa in his customary red suit and a little elf dressed exactly the same--weird for the elf to be in a red suit with white fur trimmings just like Santa--running through the woods holding a lantern. I liked the elf's name, Elwin.
"If anyone sees us, our magic will be lost forever."
I liked the picture of them in his study. The illustrations were so intricate because there was so much to look at and so many little details and objects. It kept the eye moving around, trying to take it all in.
It also gave an interesting dilemma which hooked readers, having Santa lament that it might be his last Christmas because there were too many houses to visit. Kids would probably be curious to how Christmas was saved.
It's a cool idea that his chief elf came up with the idea to get Santa a sleigh from watching people sledding, and that Santa had reservations about it because he knew they couldn't pull such a big sleigh. I really liked the little poem Elwin said. Such magic in it.
"An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
It took a turn though that Santa asked who would pull the sleigh, and Elwin replied that they would advertise. That was odd. More so when all of these wild animals come, like elephants, lion, camel, monkey, turtle, panda bear, flamingo, parakeet, fox, zebra, dog, porcupine, mole, polar bear, gorilla, giraffe, snake and some animals I couldn't identify. Some just made no sense, like animals from other continents, a world away practically and not even suited to that environment, but especially the ones that were way too small to do anything much less pull such a huge and heavy sleigh, like the snake, mole and mouse. That made no sense to include them. More care should have been given to the animals displayed as candidates.
It was cute showing the process of the elephant flying the sleigh, and making a perfect landing on top of a house. Santa had his arms raised in happiness, then the next image showed the elephant falling through the roof. Santa looked so cute flying up out of the sleigh, one hand holding the edge and legs in the air. Kids would get a kick out of that.
Then it ran through the crocodile's trial run, which hadn't even been there in the previous picture of everyone who showed up. It was funny though how it was written that Santa was polite in turning them down. He stood timidly amidst the crocodiles, who were slyly grinning, clasping his hands together, while Elwin was back to back with him with wide eyes, one elf was climbing a tree and the other hiding behind it.
The huskies were cute, the leader saying that if he wanted the sleigh pulled properly he needed professionals. They were fast and smooth, until they looked down at the ground, got scared, and jumped into Santa's sleigh. Surprised that they could talk though.
Santa looked so cute with his head in his hand, eyes rolled upward as the boars were eating apples off the trees.
It was a nice picture with Santa walking down the snowy lane with his hands behind his back.
It was disappointing how the reindeer showed up the day before Christmas asking for help because one fell into a gorge and broke its leg. Elwin suggested using the sleigh as an ambulance and that's how the reindeer came to pull the sleigh. Once they rescued the reindeer and got back, the main one volunteered to pull the sleigh tonight as a thank you. No mention of how he knew Santa needed help with the sleigh that night.
And omg, it just fast forwarded to years afterward with no explanation of why the reindeer continued to help him on Christmas every single year after that.
"And so began a journey that would happen every year until forever."
What is with the forever business? It's so dramatic.
This wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be, so I was disappointed. I could have done without all those exotic animals having tryouts and a more magical reason for reindeer doing it year after year rather then just they did it to repay a kindness, and then just kept on doing it for no reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
The description is interesting and captures a part of Christmas that nobody ever does. How Santa used to deliver presents by foot, which I've never heard before. & as there were more houses, he needed something, so the sleigh was invented.& then they needed something to pull it, so they chose reindeer.
"Every year there are more homes to visit and more presents to deliver. There just isn't enough time anymore, Elwin," said Santa sadly. "This may be my last chrsitmas."
"Don't give up, Santa," said Elwin. "There must be a way.
I'm surprised this was done in water colors. It looks like regular paint!
I was surprised to see Santa with a boy that looks like a miniature Santa.
"The sun is coming up. If anyone sees us, our magic will be lost forever." How cool!
Now I see it's an elf, but idk why he was dressed as Santa.
"Every year there are more homes to visit and more presents to deliver. There just isn't enough time anymore, Elwin," said Santa sadly. "This may be my last chrsitmas."
"Don't give up, Santa," said Elwin. "There must be a way."
-I love that it shows Santa considering giving up Christmas because there were too many homes, and that they had to come up with a way for him to deliver presents.
That's cool all the elves were sledding and having fun, at the end of winter. I like the frozen pond in the distance. & that's when the chief elf comes up with an idea.
That's cool that the elves came together and drew up plans. & were keeping it a secret from Santa!
Then it just flipped to a page of the sleigh with Santa in front of it. I wish it had slowly been revealed.
The page is pretty with the green grass, spring flowers.
I like how Santa says he can't pull the sleigh, and 'Elwin held up his hand.
"An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
-Santa asks who will fly it, and Elwin says "don't worry, Santa. We'll find someone to help us. We'll advertise." What? I thought they were talking about Santa!
I'm surprised they advertised and a bunch of animals showed up. It looked like zoo animals. I wish we could see the whole Wanted sign.
The elephant falling through the roof!! Santa is hanging onto the sleigh as he flies up.& the elves are in the foreground looking shocked.
The crocodiles: 'but they all had far too many teeth and looked much too hungry. Santa Claus was very polite when he turned them down.'
Haha the elves are hiding behind a tree, with one hanging onto it. Santa is standing, looking very polite with his chief elf back to back with him.
Huskey's would have been a good choice!! But they were scared of heights and jumped in the sleigh with Santa. They look cute with their scared faces. There's one in the back of the sleigh with his head hidden in his arms. Haha!
'Till it sploshed into a large pond.' That isn't a word.
Kangaroos are pulling it. The sleigh is rocked back, to show the hopping motion of the kangaroos. Haha!
The wild hogs flew to a tree to eat apples.
Santa walking through the woods, contemplating how chrsitmas will happen.
I'm surprised at how the reindeer came to be there. Their friend fell into a gorge and broke his leg. & Elwin suggested they use the sleigh as an ambulance. & the reindeer volunteered to push it.
'As soon as his friend was comfortable, the reindeer came back to see Santa Claus.' Does that mean they put him down somewhere?
To thank Santa they offered to pull his sleigh for Christmas.
Santa realizes he can deliver every present before sunrise.
'And so began a journey that would happen every year until forever.'
That was a good line.
But it still ended suddenly.
This was pretty good, showing how Christmas came to be in a way most people haven't heard.
"Every year there are more homes to visit and more presents to deliver. There just isn't enough time anymore, Elwin," said Santa sadly. "This may be my last chrsitmas."
"Don't give up, Santa," said Elwin. "There must be a way.
I'm surprised this was done in water colors. It looks like regular paint!
I was surprised to see Santa with a boy that looks like a miniature Santa.
"The sun is coming up. If anyone sees us, our magic will be lost forever." How cool!
Now I see it's an elf, but idk why he was dressed as Santa.
"Every year there are more homes to visit and more presents to deliver. There just isn't enough time anymore, Elwin," said Santa sadly. "This may be my last chrsitmas."
"Don't give up, Santa," said Elwin. "There must be a way."
-I love that it shows Santa considering giving up Christmas because there were too many homes, and that they had to come up with a way for him to deliver presents.
That's cool all the elves were sledding and having fun, at the end of winter. I like the frozen pond in the distance. & that's when the chief elf comes up with an idea.
That's cool that the elves came together and drew up plans. & were keeping it a secret from Santa!
Then it just flipped to a page of the sleigh with Santa in front of it. I wish it had slowly been revealed.
The page is pretty with the green grass, spring flowers.
I like how Santa says he can't pull the sleigh, and 'Elwin held up his hand.
"An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
-Santa asks who will fly it, and Elwin says "don't worry, Santa. We'll find someone to help us. We'll advertise." What? I thought they were talking about Santa!
I'm surprised they advertised and a bunch of animals showed up. It looked like zoo animals. I wish we could see the whole Wanted sign.
The elephant falling through the roof!! Santa is hanging onto the sleigh as he flies up.& the elves are in the foreground looking shocked.
The crocodiles: 'but they all had far too many teeth and looked much too hungry. Santa Claus was very polite when he turned them down.'
Haha the elves are hiding behind a tree, with one hanging onto it. Santa is standing, looking very polite with his chief elf back to back with him.
Huskey's would have been a good choice!! But they were scared of heights and jumped in the sleigh with Santa. They look cute with their scared faces. There's one in the back of the sleigh with his head hidden in his arms. Haha!
'Till it sploshed into a large pond.' That isn't a word.
Kangaroos are pulling it. The sleigh is rocked back, to show the hopping motion of the kangaroos. Haha!
The wild hogs flew to a tree to eat apples.
Santa walking through the woods, contemplating how chrsitmas will happen.
I'm surprised at how the reindeer came to be there. Their friend fell into a gorge and broke his leg. & Elwin suggested they use the sleigh as an ambulance. & the reindeer volunteered to push it.
'As soon as his friend was comfortable, the reindeer came back to see Santa Claus.' Does that mean they put him down somewhere?
To thank Santa they offered to pull his sleigh for Christmas.
Santa realizes he can deliver every present before sunrise.
'And so began a journey that would happen every year until forever.'
That was a good line.
But it still ended suddenly.
This was pretty good, showing how Christmas came to be in a way most people haven't heard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2011
Santa hasn't always delivered toys in a sleigh, you know. Oh--you didn't know? Well, you should read this book, then. No, Santa used to deliver toys on foot, but with more and more kiddos to deliver to ever year, it just came to be too big of a chore. Thank goodness for Elwin the elf, who came up with the idea to build a sleigh, and who used his one magic wish to ensure that whoever pulls the sleigh would fly. But who should it be that pulls the sleigh? An elephant named Murray? Marvin the crocodile? Perhaps a team of sled dogs? Santa needs someone to pull the sleigh, and he's running out of time.
This has been hanging around my library for years but I never read it until today. I'm glad I did, because now it will go into the Christmas read-aloud rotation. It's fun, has some humor, isn't overly sentimental, or too long. Just right.
This has been hanging around my library for years but I never read it until today. I'm glad I did, because now it will go into the Christmas read-aloud rotation. It's fun, has some humor, isn't overly sentimental, or too long. Just right.
December 2, 2017
One of my favourite Christmas stories for children! A beautiful and creative telling of how it was reindeer that came to pull Santa’s sleigh.
Humorous, magical and wonderfully illustrated. I highly recommend adding this to your Christmas book collection.
Humorous, magical and wonderfully illustrated. I highly recommend adding this to your Christmas book collection.
May 19, 2024
I love children's picture books.
This one is about Santa discovering a way to get around the world to drop off presents quickly.
Elwin the Elf has all Santas Workshop buzzing with activity. But it's a secret until the sleigh is complete.
Elwin completes his gift for Santa -
'An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift, say I.
Whoever pulls your sleigh will fly.
But who will pull the sleigh?
This one is about Santa discovering a way to get around the world to drop off presents quickly.
Elwin the Elf has all Santas Workshop buzzing with activity. But it's a secret until the sleigh is complete.
Elwin completes his gift for Santa -
'An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift, say I.
Whoever pulls your sleigh will fly.
But who will pull the sleigh?
December 6, 2017
I loved the sweet story and the beautiful art work. I have never read this book but really enjoyed reading it with the boys. I’m so glad I found it.
November 20, 2019
I liked this one.
December 19, 2020
Bonitas ilustrações para uma história até bastante original sobre a forma como o Pai Natal encoberto num grupo de renas as ajudantes perfeitas para puxarem o seu trenó na noite de Natal.
December 13, 2022
Super cute, creative, and fun. The kids loved it.
December 15, 2016
"An elfin wish have I but one.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
So read the ad, and the animals lined up to apply for the job.
Hilarity ensues as elephants, crocodiles, and kangaroos vie for a chance to pull Santa's sleigh,
Will the Big Guy ever find just the right creatures to help him deliver the presents?
This is a delightful story with lovely illustrations by Atsuko Morozumi.
I wish it once and then 'tis done.
There's magic in this gift say I,
Whoever pulls this sleigh will fly."
So read the ad, and the animals lined up to apply for the job.
Hilarity ensues as elephants, crocodiles, and kangaroos vie for a chance to pull Santa's sleigh,
Will the Big Guy ever find just the right creatures to help him deliver the presents?
This is a delightful story with lovely illustrations by Atsuko Morozumi.
December 7, 2008
This is a cute story of why reindeers (and not another type of animal) pulls Santa's sleigh for Christmas. Apparently Santa and his head elf carried all the gifts and walked to everyone's house in the beginning until it seemed like there were too many kids and they'd never be able to finish the trip before sunrise. The head elf came up with the sleigh and then they had to audition animals to pull it. This makes for some funny scenes and in the end the reason they choose the reindeer is nice. No mention of Rudolph here, this could be seen as a prequel to that story.
December 3, 2012
Santa and his elf Elwyn have always delivered the presents on foot. But there are so many houses, Santa is sure they won't be able to continue. They must come up with a plan or Santa will have to stop delivering gifts.
This fun story tells how reindeers came to fly Santa's sleigh. The story is nice (I particularly like the page where the crocodiles volunteer to fly the sleigh and Santa kindly turns them down). The illustrations are beautiful.
This fun story tells how reindeers came to fly Santa's sleigh. The story is nice (I particularly like the page where the crocodiles volunteer to fly the sleigh and Santa kindly turns them down). The illustrations are beautiful.
January 1, 2026
Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.
This was a unique Christmas tale of how reindeer came to pull Santa's sleigh. The art is solid and the story is definitely different from any others I've encountered. I am a bit on the fence with this one, only because I think it might depend on the child whether this is a good fit.
This was a unique Christmas tale of how reindeer came to pull Santa's sleigh. The art is solid and the story is definitely different from any others I've encountered. I am a bit on the fence with this one, only because I think it might depend on the child whether this is a good fit.
November 28, 2008
This is a fun little story about how the reindeer came to pull Santa's sleigh. But what I like most about it is it has the most beautiful pictures.
December 6, 2008
Nicole read this book to Megan and I. We liked the book and the pictures. It was a fun story.
December 16, 2011
Beautiful illustrations by Atsuko Morozumi and wonderful story of how the reindeer got the job! A great book for animal lovers!
December 13, 2013
A very fun story of how the reindeer came to be the animal to pull Santa's sleigh. Great illustrations that will capture the readers attention.
December 22, 2014
Cute story explaining how Reindeer came to guide Santa's sleigh. The illustrations are really lovely, and there is a bit of humor mixed in.
December 25, 2014
I suppose it all had to start somewhere. It would be fun to read this to students and make up stories about different animals pulling Santa's sleigh. Crocodiles? Elephants?
June 23, 2022
Το βιβλίο κυκλοφόρησε στα ελληνικά από τις εκδόσεις Μίνωας κ μετάφραση της Ρένας Ρωσση Ζαΐρη με τίτλο ΟΑϊ Βασίλης Βάζει Αγγελία. Το κείμενο απλό, η εικονογράφηση όμως είναι ονειρική.
December 10, 2009
The story is weak, but the imagery is enticing and fun.
Read
December 10, 2017It was a nice story
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews