The Little Christmas Elf

Nikki Shannon Smith

Susan Mitchell

Little Golden Books, 2011

24pp., hbk., RRP $A4.99

9780375873485

At last Nina was old enough to join the team of elves at the worktable of Santa’s toyshop.  Her task is to make a teddy bear but she is so meticulous it is unlikely that she will get it done in time – and she doesn’t.  She is still sewing when Santa comes by to load up his sleigh and as all the other elves load their toys on to it, she is very despondent.  But Santa tells her not to give up and so she perseveres, alone in the toyshop after all the others have gone.  Resigned to it not being given to a child till the following year, she heads for bed when suddenly Santa reappears at the door…

A charming story about perseverance and resilience that will be a lovely bedtime story for the younger readers.  The illustrations are very appealing and this will become a favourite of the Christmas Countdown.