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Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins
Key Features Description It's Christmas Eve morning, and Santa Claus is still in bed! He's feeling stuffy and sneezy and slow as a yeti. Will Christmas have to be canceled? Not this year! Because Mrs. Claus is ready to take the reins in Santa's place. With a plan in mind, Mrs. Claus assembles the crew, maps out the route, and preps the sleigh. Then, with a snap of the reins, she shoots off into the night. Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa's magic won't be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves she has some holiday sparkle of her own... It's Christmas Eve morning, and Santa Claus is still in bed! He's feeling stuffy and sneezy and slow as a yeti. Will Christmas have to be canceled? Not this year! Because Mrs. Claus is ready to take the reins in Santa's place. With a plan in mind, Mrs. Claus assembles the crew, maps out the route, and preps the sleigh. Then, with a snap of the reins, she shoots off into the night. Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa's magic won't be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves she has some holiday sparkle of her own... Product Details Item #: NTS863569 9781338635690 Paperback Book 32 Pre-K - 2 Lexile AD620L Guided Reading GR Level L DRA 20 - 24 Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins Paperback Book 4.46 Out Of Stock Out Of Stock Email me when back in stock Top {{#if inStock}} {{#if isSubscribe}} {{button.label}} {{else}} {{button.label}} {{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if isOutofStock}} {{oosMessage}} {{#if isTSO}}{{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if isLearnMore}} {{#if learnMoreUrl}} {{/if}} {{#if learnMorePhone}} Contact Us{{learnMoreNumber}} {{/if}} {{/if}} x What can we help you find? Search PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF USE TM & 2021 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. if(_satellite) {_satellite.pageBottom();} commonUtil.enableMouseflow(); Key Features Item #: NTS863569 9781338635690 Paperback Book 32 Pre-K - 2 Lexile AD620L Guided Reading GR Level L DRA 20 - 24
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First published September 18, 2018
About the author
Sue Fliess
77 books157 followersSue Fliess ("fleece") is the bestselling author of Robots, Robots Everywhere!, I'm a Ballerina! and How to Trap a Leprechaun, and more than 35 other children's books including Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, Mary Had a Little Lab, Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide. Her background is in copywriting and PR/marketing, and her essays have appeared in O Magazine, HuffPo, Writer's Digest, and more. Fliess has also written for Walt Disney.
Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.
She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.
When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.
Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.
She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.
When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 5, 2018
When Santa wakes up sick on Christmas Eve morning, everyone at Santa's Workshop and the North Pole is worried that Christmas will have to be canceled. But, not as long as Mrs. Claus is around. She can handle whatever it is that Santa does. With everyone in shock, Mrs. Claus says she will deliver the gifts all over the world on Christmas Eve.
Mrs. Claus assembles her crew, uses her smartphone to map her route, checks her list and the weather, packs some snacks (like any responsible mom would) and away she goes with her travel cup of coffee in hand. While going house to house, leaving gifts behind she is relishing in the joy of delivering Christmas to all the girls and boys. But, it wasn't without some mishaps including bad weather, a leaky gas tank, a near head-on collision with a duck, and some tangled reins. But, just like Santa, Mrs. Claus pulled it off, visiting every house just in time.
Oh my gosh, I giggled my way through this book, mostly because of the illustrations. The first thing I noticed was Mrs. Claus' curly, red hair. I knew right then I'd be passing this book on to my two red-haired nieces. It's not a usual hair color choice for book characters. I loved how the artist chose to make Mrs. Claus modern with her smartphone and "Starbucks" like coffee to go. She took care in arranging the gifts under the tree and came up with quick fixes to some of the mishaps. Mrs. Claus truly saved the day and when Santa tries to thank her with a cup of hot cocoa, he is instead met with some very sleepy reindeer and a cashed out Mrs. Claus.
This is such a fun read with rhyming text and bright illustrations, kids will want to read it again and again. It's one that is sure to become a classic in your Christmas book library.
Mrs. Claus assembles her crew, uses her smartphone to map her route, checks her list and the weather, packs some snacks (like any responsible mom would) and away she goes with her travel cup of coffee in hand. While going house to house, leaving gifts behind she is relishing in the joy of delivering Christmas to all the girls and boys. But, it wasn't without some mishaps including bad weather, a leaky gas tank, a near head-on collision with a duck, and some tangled reins. But, just like Santa, Mrs. Claus pulled it off, visiting every house just in time.
Oh my gosh, I giggled my way through this book, mostly because of the illustrations. The first thing I noticed was Mrs. Claus' curly, red hair. I knew right then I'd be passing this book on to my two red-haired nieces. It's not a usual hair color choice for book characters. I loved how the artist chose to make Mrs. Claus modern with her smartphone and "Starbucks" like coffee to go. She took care in arranging the gifts under the tree and came up with quick fixes to some of the mishaps. Mrs. Claus truly saved the day and when Santa tries to thank her with a cup of hot cocoa, he is instead met with some very sleepy reindeer and a cashed out Mrs. Claus.
This is such a fun read with rhyming text and bright illustrations, kids will want to read it again and again. It's one that is sure to become a classic in your Christmas book library.
December 18, 2025
Very cute rhyming untraditional Christmas story
This story was actually quite a funny one too and I really enjoyed it because it went a little off the rails of the normality of Christmas. We don't really get to see Mrs Claus in action usually in any of the classic Christmas stories and this one brings her to life and shines a light on how she takes over Christmas because Santa is sick. Great story can't wait to find more by this author for my five year old!
This story was actually quite a funny one too and I really enjoyed it because it went a little off the rails of the normality of Christmas. We don't really get to see Mrs Claus in action usually in any of the classic Christmas stories and this one brings her to life and shines a light on how she takes over Christmas because Santa is sick. Great story can't wait to find more by this author for my five year old!
December 12, 2019
Santa Spectacular. Santa is sick so Mrs. Claus is here to save the day. Great pictures save an okay story.
Pink Hill's Santa Spectacular 2019
Pink Hill's Santa Spectacular 2019
December 7, 2024
Като цяло смятам, че се продължава да не се гледа много насериозно на Госпожа Клаус, а смятам, че е важна личност. И точно тук в тази книжка, изпълнена с много красиви илюстрации, историята ни показва как Госпожа Клаус спасява Коледа и то с много интелетентност, находчивост и щипка ексцентричност.
November 27, 2018
This book convinced me that Mrs. Claus should totally help Santa out. Ha! Great story, great illustrations (except for Rudolph's entirely red nose...what happened there)?
January 10, 2019
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Mrs. Claus Takes The Reins, written by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Mark Chambers, a cheerful girl-powered Christmas adventure.
Santa Claus has come down with a nasty cold! There’s no way he can fly around the world delivering presents tonight, so Christmas is cancelled! But that simply won’t do for Mrs. Claus – organizing the reindeer and elves, she volunteers to take up Santa’s position. She and the team load the sleigh, traverse the globe, and ensure smiling faces on Christmas morning, handling all sorts of problems that crop up with aplomb. Soon, the very last present is delivered, and Mrs. Claus is given a hero’s welcome for her return.
This was so much fun! In addition to a fast-paced, exciting story for little readers, there’s a wonderful girl-power subtext – no one questions if Mrs. Claus is up to the task, and she problem-solves with quick thinking and grace (“I may not have magic, but I’ve got a brain!”). The illustrations are colorful, lively, and appropriately festive, and the bouncy rhymes are a delight to read aloud. The length was great, and JJ loved it. A lovely holiday reminder that girls are capable and clever – including the one who happens to be married to Old Saint Nick. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
May 7, 2025
Once again, Mrs. Claus shows how a woman gets it done by swooping in and saving Christmas in this gentle holiday read. A perfect pairing with the Christmas special, The Year Without a Santa Claus.
December 21, 2018
This book is truly a winner from cover to cover.
" It's Christmas Eve morning and everything's set. So why hasn't Santa Claus woken up yet?'
Mrs. Claus starts to get worried and goes in to him to see what the problem is. Oh my, poor Santa looks terrible.
"I'm stuffy. I'm sneezey. I'm slow as a yeti. My big HO-HO-HO isn't holiday ready. We must cancel Christmas. Oh, what a disgrace.
" I have a solution... I'll go in your place!"
Mrs. Claus steps forward and volunteers to go where no woman has ever gone before. She organizes her whirlwind, worldwide trip with the help of the elves then bravely climbs aboard Santa's sleigh and shoots off into the night. She soon discovers ( prematurely ) that Santa's job is simple, in fact, it's delightful. But unbeknownst to her she faces some serious challenges ahead. The weather turns frightful, the fuel in the sleigh starts leaking, a flying incoming duck causes the reindeer's reins to tangle and the most brilliant line ( to me anyway) in the whole story is:
"She had to act fast to untangle the rein. 'I may not have magic. but I've got a brain ." Yes indeed Mrs. Claus you do have a clever, problem-solving brain... you go girl! She displays girl power at its finest.
Hurray, Mrs. Claus saves the day! She is a superhero to boys and girls all around the world proving she is a force ( a sparkling force) to be reckoned with.
This excellent rhyming book sheds a light on brave, smart, spunky and determined Mrs. Claus, someone who usually gets overlooked at Christmas. The illustrations are magnificent and together with the fun storyline they hit it out of the ballpark. Kids will delight in this fast-paced. entertaining and super-fun book! It is a perfect read aloud to share on this holiday season or anytime for that matter. I highly, highly recommend it. It will be a wonderful edition to your Christmas book collection.
" It's Christmas Eve morning and everything's set. So why hasn't Santa Claus woken up yet?'
Mrs. Claus starts to get worried and goes in to him to see what the problem is. Oh my, poor Santa looks terrible.
"I'm stuffy. I'm sneezey. I'm slow as a yeti. My big HO-HO-HO isn't holiday ready. We must cancel Christmas. Oh, what a disgrace.
" I have a solution... I'll go in your place!"
Mrs. Claus steps forward and volunteers to go where no woman has ever gone before. She organizes her whirlwind, worldwide trip with the help of the elves then bravely climbs aboard Santa's sleigh and shoots off into the night. She soon discovers ( prematurely ) that Santa's job is simple, in fact, it's delightful. But unbeknownst to her she faces some serious challenges ahead. The weather turns frightful, the fuel in the sleigh starts leaking, a flying incoming duck causes the reindeer's reins to tangle and the most brilliant line ( to me anyway) in the whole story is:
"She had to act fast to untangle the rein. 'I may not have magic. but I've got a brain ." Yes indeed Mrs. Claus you do have a clever, problem-solving brain... you go girl! She displays girl power at its finest.
Hurray, Mrs. Claus saves the day! She is a superhero to boys and girls all around the world proving she is a force ( a sparkling force) to be reckoned with.
This excellent rhyming book sheds a light on brave, smart, spunky and determined Mrs. Claus, someone who usually gets overlooked at Christmas. The illustrations are magnificent and together with the fun storyline they hit it out of the ballpark. Kids will delight in this fast-paced. entertaining and super-fun book! It is a perfect read aloud to share on this holiday season or anytime for that matter. I highly, highly recommend it. It will be a wonderful edition to your Christmas book collection.
September 8, 2023
This story might be construed as a feminist tale. Santa's ill and his wife is ready to do the job instead.
According to the publisher, on the inside front flap of the dust jacket:
"Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa's magic won't be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves..."
Of course, she proves she can do the job. Although this book, authored by Sue Fliess, could hardly be considered a feminist triumph. Not when you Goodreaders will read words like these about Mrs. Claus:
"She gracefully shimmied through chimneys with ease,
arranging the presents beneath all the trees."
So there we have it. In what could have been a tale of stunning female effectiveness and empowerment, the little woman belonging to Mr. Claus needs to "shimmy."
And in order to render her as much as possible.... like a traditional American housewife in the 1950's... an illustration shows how she got a flair for "arranging the presents."
FIVE STARS for, at least, giving Mrs. Claus some kind of grownup role as a female, playing her cute-and-bouncy little part in the secular holiday story.
According to the publisher, on the inside front flap of the dust jacket:
"Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa's magic won't be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves..."
Of course, she proves she can do the job. Although this book, authored by Sue Fliess, could hardly be considered a feminist triumph. Not when you Goodreaders will read words like these about Mrs. Claus:
"She gracefully shimmied through chimneys with ease,
arranging the presents beneath all the trees."
So there we have it. In what could have been a tale of stunning female effectiveness and empowerment, the little woman belonging to Mr. Claus needs to "shimmy."
And in order to render her as much as possible.... like a traditional American housewife in the 1950's... an illustration shows how she got a flair for "arranging the presents."
FIVE STARS for, at least, giving Mrs. Claus some kind of grownup role as a female, playing her cute-and-bouncy little part in the secular holiday story.
November 21, 2024
Какво би станало ако Дядо Коледа вземе да се разболее навръх Бъдни вечер? Нима Добрият старец няма право на болнични от време на време? Все пак, дори ако си съвсем здрав не е никак лесно да обикаляш света на летяща шейна и да се спускаш през комините с тежък чувал, а какво остава пък ако си със запушен нос и висока температура! Но празникът не може да пропадне, инак милиони деца ще останат разочаровани. Кой ли ще замести Дядо Коледа? Отговорът ще откриете в новата римувана детска книга на изд. „Ера“ – „Госпожа Клаус спасява Коледа“ от Сю Флийс, с илюстрации от Марк Чембърс. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
November 20, 2018
Fliess has written a cute story about what happens when Santa gets sick on Christmas Eve. At first he thinks they need to cancel the holiday, but Mrs. Claus volunteers to go in his place. With the help of the elves, she gathers everything she needs and sets off into the night. At first things run smoothly, but later in the night she runs into blizzards and other bad weather, the sleigh starts to leak, and the reindeer harnesses get tangled. But holding on to her patience Mrs. Claus manages to solve the problems and finish the trip. This is a light, fun read that emphasizes the fact that we all need help sometimes and that problems can be overcome.
September 26, 2018
This is a children's book, so I'm going to rate it a little differently than I would a novel or a full-sized nonfiction book. The illustrations were adorable and the storyline was simple and fun. I thought the scenes with Santa were really funny and, for those who celebrate Christmas, it is definitely something that is very enjoyable.
I'm going to give the book a B+ on my grading scale, because there are a few things that could've been changed as far as the middle of the storyline. Other than that, I would recommend this as a children's book any day for those who celebrate Christmas.
I'm going to give the book a B+ on my grading scale, because there are a few things that could've been changed as far as the middle of the storyline. Other than that, I would recommend this as a children's book any day for those who celebrate Christmas.
November 27, 2018
Ever wonder how a woman would handle delivering all those presents on Christmas Eve? Well look no farther than this Mrs. Claus who may not have magic but does have a brain! When Santa wakes up sickly, Mrs Claus doesn't hesitate to step up, handle every challenge tossed her way from tornados to tangled reins and gets the job done in record time. The rhyme is fun and engaging and the illustrations are hilarious. I especially love the spot at the end with a befuddled Santa Claus looking on as Mrs. Claus takes a much deserved Christmas Day nap in his chair.
December 15, 2020
My kids loved this book a lot. They loved looking at the illustrations by Mark Chambers. In each page, the illustrations are colorful and full of life. The words in this book are so fun and reminds me of the Night before Christmas books. I loved the rhymes through out this book and my kids loved the perspective of Mrs. Claus. We also talked about who else could take the reins to save Christmas. Also if we think Mrs. Claus could have done it all alone or with a bunch of people working together. I recommend checking this book out for Christmas.
September 23, 2018
I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways. Santa is so sick that he'll have to cancel Christmas, but Mrs. Claus saves the day. She might not have Santa's magic, but she uses logic and skill to fix any problems that pop up while she's delivering presents all over the world. It has a fun rhyme and hilarious illustrations. My two year old loved it. Though, now he keeps asking when Santa is coming...
November 26, 2018
A sweet story about how Mrs. Claus saves Christmas. Santa is not feeling well, so without hesitation Mrs. Claus jumps in to help. She braves her way through some tough weather and some other obstacles, but at the end she has delivered all the toys and saves Christmas! It was so beautifully illustrated and the rhyming text makes for a perfect read aloud! A perfect Christmas book that both children and adults alike will love!
April 22, 2023
Ooh, I love a book where the rhyming works, and includes clever gems like, "They skidded through Sweden and bounced around Spain, then galloped to Texas and zoomed up to Maine." Mrs. Claus saves the day when Santa must stay home sick, though a trip that starts as "delightful" soon presents challenges from tornadoes to errant flying ducks. Can't wait to read this aloud to my favorite small friends ... over and over.
September 22, 2018
A cute rhyming story about the Christmas Eve that Santa was too sick to deliver presents. A strong female perspective on a classic story. I think the idea has been tackled before, but this take was a little bit different. My kids will definitely like this one, but they're at the age now that they want a little more meat out of picture books. Good for younger kids.
October 30, 2018
Added this to my list of new readalouds for Christmas 2018. Reads like "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Bright primary color pictures will appeal to my K-1 classes. Loved the use of map outlines to show her trip around the world. My favorite line is "I may not have magic, but I've got a brain!"
October 14, 2023
A fun book to read with excellent, colorful illustrations. Poor Santa doesn't wake up before making his Christmas deliveries. Mrs. Claus finds out the reason why; he has a cold. He just wants to cancel his magical ride on Christmas Eve, however, Mrs. Claus won't allow that to happen. She decides that she can deliver presents instead of Santa. But does she? Is she successful?
December 5, 2018
Santa is sick on Christmas, so Mrs. Claus saves the day and delivers all the presents! I like that Mrs. Claus didn't look stereotypical, she looked quirky and adorable. The illustration style was colorful and kid-friendly.
December 21, 2018
This books answers the question "What if Santa Claus is sick on Christmas?" Well Mrs. Claus fills in! A very cute story, written in rhyme, tells how Mrs. Claus delivers presents for Santa. A very cute story to read around Christmas.
January 31, 2020
Mrs. Claus is great, i really think that her glasses then goggles are just awesome ...such a cool hip lady ... great the illustrations in this read are just awesome ... i love Christmas reads any old time. fun!!
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November 23, 2023We need a good Mrs Claus story and this just doesn’t do it for me. Mrs Claus feels the need to state that she has a brain, but she also kind of fumbles through Christmas. Glad to see some effort here, but the character and storyline are not strong enough, in my opinion.
September 22, 2018
Cute rhyming book for kids about Mrs. Claus taking control when Santa can’t make it. Brightly colored pictures.
September 23, 2018
Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins
This was a really cute children's book. With great illustrations and a cute story line. This has the feel of the night before Christmas With a new twist.
This was a really cute children's book. With great illustrations and a cute story line. This has the feel of the night before Christmas With a new twist.
October 8, 2018
Read this with R. She loved the looks of the book and is currently really into seeing Santa and the whole bang. This was a cute read, and I would recommend further to those with kids.
October 24, 2018
It was a different take on Christmas almost not happening.
August 16, 2019
It was ok. I'm older than the target audience and a small child might/should enjoy it more. I gave it to a niece for her newborn, she requested books instead of cards for her baby shower.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews