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Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
Mia misses her Grandpa. Without him, Christmas has lost its magic. But when Mia discovers a world within a mysterious post box, she is whisked away on a truly wonderful adventure over sparkling seas and streets of paper stars. But what will Mia find at the end of her journey?
A magical tale of love and adventure, brought to life by peep-through pages, lift-the-flaps and breath-taking illustrations from Karl James Mountford (The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth). Last Stop on the Reindeer Express is a wonderful way to help children articulate their feelings when spending Christmas away from a parent, grandparent or sibling.
A magical tale of love and adventure, brought to life by peep-through pages, lift-the-flaps and breath-taking illustrations from Karl James Mountford (The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth). Last Stop on the Reindeer Express is a wonderful way to help children articulate their feelings when spending Christmas away from a parent, grandparent or sibling.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
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353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
December 7, 2019
I requested this book from the library after reading my friend Abigail's glowing review. I'm always eager to try out new-to-me Christmas-themed picture books, and generally spend December checking armloads of them out of the library. What I really hope is that among them I'll find one or two treasures that I will want to acquire for myself and bring out to enjoy year after year, but most years it doesn't happen. Here's one, though. The story, about a girl wanting to deliver a Christmas card to her distant grandfather is sweet enough, but the pictures are just so gorgeous, I want to enter this world. The aesthetic reminded me a bit of the Hilda graphic novels by Luke Pearson. The cutouts on most of the pages also add charm.
Edited to add:
So now it's a year later, and I did indeed acquire a copy of my own. I chose to special order the original UK edition from The Book Depository. This is because I had noticed that on this book's goodreads page, the top question is from someone indignant that the book's description says that Mia wants to deliver a letter to her daddy, when in fact it's to her grandfather. Given that the man in the illustrations didn't really look old enough to be Mia's grandfather, I suspected that the "wrong" description was actually just from the original version and that a change had been made for the US publication. Turns out I was right. I think that having it be her father that Mia misses so much makes the book more emotionally resonant, and I shake my head thinking, why on earth did this change have to be made? Should American children -- huge numbers of whom live in single parent households -- somehow be protected from the knowledge that some children have parents who are separated? My friend Abigail, who has read more picture books than anyone else I know, thinks that this is actually something that's shied away from. Here's the rub though -- while I appreciate seeing the "right" version of the story, it turns out the production values of the American edition are far superior, with much brighter colors and glossier paper. My immediate reaction on taking my purchase out of its mailing envelope was that the book was drab compared to the thing of beauty in my memory. A trip to the library to compare the two editions side by side confirmed this impression. Bummer, but I'll try not to let it ruin Christmas.
Edited to add:
So now it's a year later, and I did indeed acquire a copy of my own. I chose to special order the original UK edition from The Book Depository. This is because I had noticed that on this book's goodreads page, the top question is from someone indignant that the book's description says that Mia wants to deliver a letter to her daddy, when in fact it's to her grandfather. Given that the man in the illustrations didn't really look old enough to be Mia's grandfather, I suspected that the "wrong" description was actually just from the original version and that a change had been made for the US publication. Turns out I was right. I think that having it be her father that Mia misses so much makes the book more emotionally resonant, and I shake my head thinking, why on earth did this change have to be made? Should American children -- huge numbers of whom live in single parent households -- somehow be protected from the knowledge that some children have parents who are separated? My friend Abigail, who has read more picture books than anyone else I know, thinks that this is actually something that's shied away from. Here's the rub though -- while I appreciate seeing the "right" version of the story, it turns out the production values of the American edition are far superior, with much brighter colors and glossier paper. My immediate reaction on taking my purchase out of its mailing envelope was that the book was drab compared to the thing of beauty in my memory. A trip to the library to compare the two editions side by side confirmed this impression. Bummer, but I'll try not to let it ruin Christmas.
December 5, 2018
Sad that her handmade Christmas card won't get to her distant grandfather in time for the holiday, Mia is walking through the local Christmas market when she spies a very unusual mailbox. It turns out that this is a portal to the Reindeer Express, a very special, magical service that takes her flying through the skies, to visit her beloved grandparent in his far home...
An absolutely delightful book, Last Stop on the Reindeer Express pairs an engaging story about a little girl and her longing for her Grandpa at Christmas, with vibrantly colorful artwork that captures all the magic of her fantastic experiences. Each page has flaps, cut-outs through to the next page, or other surprise paper elements that make reading the book more of an interactive experience. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful, entertaining and engrossing Christmas picture-books.
An absolutely delightful book, Last Stop on the Reindeer Express pairs an engaging story about a little girl and her longing for her Grandpa at Christmas, with vibrantly colorful artwork that captures all the magic of her fantastic experiences. Each page has flaps, cut-outs through to the next page, or other surprise paper elements that make reading the book more of an interactive experience. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful, entertaining and engrossing Christmas picture-books.
November 27, 2018
A wonderful children’s book. Perfect for single-parent families as a reminder that no matter the distance everyone loves eachother and is thinking of each other at Christmas - the Christmas spirit I love.
November 29, 2019
Magical!
December 21, 2019
This is such an incredibly sweet Christmas story!
Mia is off to send her grandfather a letter when she comes across a strange postbox that opens into a shop that opens into a forest where she finds a reindeer that flies her all the way to her grandfather to deliver her letter in person.
I believe this is my new favorite Christmas-themed picture book. The story is sweet and endearing but the illustrations and interactive lift-the-flaps make this book extra special. The lift-the-flaps are not like the typical ones you find in baby books. There are doors to open, windows to look through, a card to open, and more!
There are also strategically and artistically placed 'cut-outs' throughout the book to show off the moon through the trees, the stars in the sky or the mountains beyond the rooftops of the village Mia flies over.
All of these fun elements make the overall story that much more fun!
The full-page illustrations are exceptionally amazing. I love the excess detail, the busy backgrounds, and the different textures on every surface. The people are all incredibly friendly-looking and the animals are oh so cute!
This festive picture book is one you will definitely want in your holiday collection. It would make a great gift to a grandchild that may or may not have the chance to see their grandparents or another loved one during the holidays but I think everyone will love the magic of this story!
This picture book review was originally shared (with photos!) at Lazy Day Literature
Mia is off to send her grandfather a letter when she comes across a strange postbox that opens into a shop that opens into a forest where she finds a reindeer that flies her all the way to her grandfather to deliver her letter in person.
I believe this is my new favorite Christmas-themed picture book. The story is sweet and endearing but the illustrations and interactive lift-the-flaps make this book extra special. The lift-the-flaps are not like the typical ones you find in baby books. There are doors to open, windows to look through, a card to open, and more!
There are also strategically and artistically placed 'cut-outs' throughout the book to show off the moon through the trees, the stars in the sky or the mountains beyond the rooftops of the village Mia flies over.
All of these fun elements make the overall story that much more fun!
The full-page illustrations are exceptionally amazing. I love the excess detail, the busy backgrounds, and the different textures on every surface. The people are all incredibly friendly-looking and the animals are oh so cute!
This festive picture book is one you will definitely want in your holiday collection. It would make a great gift to a grandchild that may or may not have the chance to see their grandparents or another loved one during the holidays but I think everyone will love the magic of this story!
This picture book review was originally shared (with photos!) at Lazy Day Literature
November 24, 2017
Whilst I loved the illustrations, the writing did come off as a bit patronizing and twee, and I hated being talked down to as a child, so I'm not sure if I would recommend this to a younger version of myself or any other child.
December 27, 2019
It's a cute story but I thought it was going to be better. The illustrations though and the design of the book, that's honestly what makes it so beautiful. Only thing, is the grandfather looks like he could be her dad. Sooo there's that. But worth glancing through for the illustrations.
January 16, 2020
Whimsical, sweet, old-fashioned fun. Inter-generational relationships always get me. I love Mountford's color palette; fresh and festive.
December 21, 2024
4* - Peek-a-boo cutouts and open-the-flaps enhance the vibrant engaging art in this look at the love that connects us with those we are separated from at Christmas.
November 8, 2017
On the surface this book is about a girl who goes on an adventure on a reindeer to see her dad (Father Christmas)
However, when you start to explore the book you see that is about a girl who has a absent father (did he die? does he work away?). The girl jumps onto the reindeer express to visit her dad at the north pole. I think that this is more likely in her imagination.
The images are really interesting and add to the text to suggest this is the girls imagination.
However, when you start to explore the book you see that is about a girl who has a absent father (did he die? does he work away?). The girl jumps onto the reindeer express to visit her dad at the north pole. I think that this is more likely in her imagination.
The images are really interesting and add to the text to suggest this is the girls imagination.
January 17, 2023
A fast-paced imaginative book, full of Christmas spirit. Flipping through, you can see that it's expensively made with die-cuts, flaps, and expertly executed illustrations which add to the holiday magic. I really love this book, I just wish we could luxuriate in the story a bit more. I think that would have been what I needed to feel more immersed.
Read
November 21, 2018This book is like a treasure chest. Something new to discover on every page. The artwork and story are equally beautiful. Families with relatives far away are going to want to read this again and again.
December 17, 2018
Received this charming and delightfully illustrated piece of Christmas eye-candy from my lovely sister for my birfday and just absolutely love it: love the story, LOVE the illustrations, and it fits perfectly with my reindeer-heavy Christmas decor. What's not to love?
December 1, 2018
The story is a three star quality, but the lovely illustrations compelled me to add a star. Grandpa is looking fairly young. We weren’t quite prepared for that. 😂
December 20, 2018
A very sweet Christmas story with absolutely gorgeous illustrations. The cutouts and doorways also add a special touch. A must have for anyone looking for a good holiday themed picture book!
January 6, 2020
A simple story combined with eye-popping illustrations, flaps to lift, and die-cut pages, make a book to cherish,
February 16, 2020
(to be reviewed)
December 14, 2022
A very beautiful and sweet book with a wonderful Christmas message.
December 19, 2023
Beautiful illustrations, sweet story about a girl who gets to see her grandpa that lives far away before Christmas.
November 12, 2018
A sense of urgency develops as a young girl is trying to get a letter to her grandfather before the holiday. She comes across a special mailbox that provides access to the reindeer express. The formatting of the book is done well with cutouts and other parts to pull open. Children will love being interactively involved in exploring these secret connections. Limited potential use beyond as a holiday book.
January 27, 2024
The story is simple and sweet, focusing on Mia’s magical voyage to visit her Grandpa. It’s short, and there’s not much more to it than that, but I liked it because it focuses on a kid’s relationship with a grandparent, showing how much she loves and misses him. Like Narnia, this is a portal fantasy. When Mia steps out of the mailbox after her travels, she realizes no time had passed while she was away on her fantastic voyage.
To keep with the festive mood of Christmas, the illustrations are all very colorful and feature things often associated with that time of year, like the reindeer on the cover and Christmas trees, pastries, and ornaments, as well as patterns associated with Christmas, not to mention all the snow.
OVERALL: ★★★★☆
It was a sweet, lighthearted book that’s a fun read because of its interactive elements. And I think the illustrations will add to the festive mood of the Christmas season, too. (To be honest, though, the high rating is mostly for the art. The story is OK, but I LOVE the art.)
As posted on Zezee with Books.
To keep with the festive mood of Christmas, the illustrations are all very colorful and feature things often associated with that time of year, like the reindeer on the cover and Christmas trees, pastries, and ornaments, as well as patterns associated with Christmas, not to mention all the snow.
OVERALL: ★★★★☆
It was a sweet, lighthearted book that’s a fun read because of its interactive elements. And I think the illustrations will add to the festive mood of the Christmas season, too. (To be honest, though, the high rating is mostly for the art. The story is OK, but I LOVE the art.)
As posted on Zezee with Books.
November 6, 2017
We don't really know where to start with our review of this picture book...we think it is one of the most beautiful, heartwarming and festive Christmas stories of all time and with such a beautiful message!
Mia has finished school for Christmas and wants to post a homemade card to her dad but is too late for the post, so she steps through a magical postbox and embarks on an adventure to get her card to her dad in time for Christmas.
This book just looks special before you even open it, the illustrations are stunning and the flaps and cut-out sections are subtle and magical, as though the door through to the next page appears just as you're meant to discover them.
The overarching message to be taken from this story is that we can't always be with the ones we love at Christmas and is a very gentle story for families to read to their younger children if they do have to be apart during this time of year.
We're going to be purchasing personal copies of this book for our own children this year, it really is that special! :) Merry Christmas everybody!
Mia has finished school for Christmas and wants to post a homemade card to her dad but is too late for the post, so she steps through a magical postbox and embarks on an adventure to get her card to her dad in time for Christmas.
This book just looks special before you even open it, the illustrations are stunning and the flaps and cut-out sections are subtle and magical, as though the door through to the next page appears just as you're meant to discover them.
The overarching message to be taken from this story is that we can't always be with the ones we love at Christmas and is a very gentle story for families to read to their younger children if they do have to be apart during this time of year.
We're going to be purchasing personal copies of this book for our own children this year, it really is that special! :) Merry Christmas everybody!
December 7, 2018
Mia and her mother are finishing their preparations for Christmas when Mia is reminded of someone who won't be with them--her grandfather. She sends him a special holiday card and then happens upon a magic mailbox that contains a reindeer who flies her up into the air. Mia is able to see many wonderful scenes from her lofty perch and even somehow manages to visit her grandfather. As she heads home, she realizes that many others are just like her, unable to spend the holiday with all their loved ones. When she arrives home, there is a special surprise gift from her grandfather. The book features all sorts of colors, scenes and ornaments that bring to mind Christmas time, and it also has flaps to lift and doors to open. There will be many youngsters who will appreciate this book and its reminder that a holiday is what you make of it and that families who are spread across the country or even the globe can still find a way to connect.
April 19, 2025
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Karl James Mountford is a beautifully illustrated tale of a young girl trying to get a gift to her grandfather before Christmas day. Mia has found the best gift for her grandpa and is desperate to give it to him for Christmas and is sorely disappointed when her mom tells her the mail won’t make it up to him in time. Mia is quite sad and wishes her grandpa didn’t live so far away. She decides to mail the letter anyway and finds a mysterious mailbox in the village with the words “The Reindeer Express” on the front. Intrigued, Mia opens the door and then something magical happens. The book is filled with magic and wonder and the pages are covered with stunning illustrations and small cut-outs that add whimsy to the charming story of a young girl looking out for her grandpa.
January 22, 2019
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday (Random), 2018. $18. 9781524771669
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Mia has a Christmas card to send to her grandfather, but she’s afraid it won’t arrive on time. Then she sees a special mailbox. When she follows the instructions, she starts on an adventure with her own reindeer companion.
For any family which wants to spark belief in the magic of Christmas.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Mia has a Christmas card to send to her grandfather, but she’s afraid it won’t arrive on time. Then she sees a special mailbox. When she follows the instructions, she starts on an adventure with her own reindeer companion.
For any family which wants to spark belief in the magic of Christmas.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
December 17, 2020
Okay, time to be honest, I don’t know what impresses me more, the story or the artwork. Mia wants to send her dad a christmas card since they can’t be together. She enters the post office and discovers a magical secret: the reindeer express that will get her card to daddy on time. I am not normally a fan of paperback picture books,but this one was amazing. The cover is cut out. Most pages have doors or windows and the pictures are so beautiful that a reader almost misses the cutouts and doors. A wonderful story, especially for those who have to be far away from family for christmas.
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +26
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +26
January 13, 2021
I felt the story was a little lacking, but the design of the book and illustrations elevate it. Interestingly, I thought that "Grandpa" didn't really fit the art or the story, for that matter. Turns out it was originally written about 'Daddy' being gone, but it was changed in the US to Grandpa. How weird is that? Would have been better left as it was.
I love books with cutouts and flaps. The artwork is busy but lovely - lots to look at.
If the story had remained about her father it would have more impact, I think.
If this is supposed to have occurred in Mia's imagination, what happened to her card? :)
I love books with cutouts and flaps. The artwork is busy but lovely - lots to look at.
If the story had remained about her father it would have more impact, I think.
If this is supposed to have occurred in Mia's imagination, what happened to her card? :)
December 8, 2018
What a beautiful, creative book! The touching story of a girl trying to deliver a card to her grandfather for Christmas unfolds across gorgeously illustrated pages with peek-through cut outs. My two-year-old was a little young to appreciate the story, but he loved finding the cut outs on each page and eagerly flipped ahead to find the next hole he could poke his finger through. I'll definitely try this one again in a few years when he can get the story, and I'm sure he'll love it then as much as I did now.
December 8, 2018
Absolutely glorious illustrations with hidden details that will keep you and your child amused for many rereads. I found myself flicking back and forth between pages to look at how the cut-outs fitted together!
I'm a little confused by the description as it is her father she is missing (in the UK version) as he is a researcher in somewhere very cold and far away - rather than her grandfather. This is a lovely, heartwarming read perfect for cuddling up to read together in the lead-up to Christmas, particularly if there's an important person who won't be able to make it on the day itself.
I'm a little confused by the description as it is her father she is missing (in the UK version) as he is a researcher in somewhere very cold and far away - rather than her grandfather. This is a lovely, heartwarming read perfect for cuddling up to read together in the lead-up to Christmas, particularly if there's an important person who won't be able to make it on the day itself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews