The Little Red Elf - Softcover

McGrath, Barbara Barbieri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 158089237X ISBN 13: 9781580892377

Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2010

Synopsis

This clever retelling of "The Little Red Hen" features a busy little red elf and her lazy friends: the hare, the penguin, and the reindeer.

The elf cleans up and organizes Santa's workshop all by herself, but when she asks for help planting a pinecone, nobody wants to pitch in! So she plants it herself, and waters it herself, and brings the Christmas tree indoors herself, and decorates it all by herself. She even puts out the milk and cookies for Santa herself. When the morning comes and it's time to open presents, the elf knows just how to reward her friends. 

A classic tale of hard work and just desserts, perfect for the holiday season.

About this title

About the Author:

Barbara Barbieri McGrath has written over twenty books for children, including The Little Gray Bunny, The Little Green Witch, and many bestselling math concept books. Her love for writing, children and making learning fun was the inspiration for her first children's book, The M&M Brand Counting Book, which sold over 1 million copies. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts.

Review:

The little red elf is used to doing everything herself while her friends the reindeer, the penguin, and the hare laze around the workshop. It comes as no surprise that her cheerful requests for help preparing for Christmas are quickly dismissed. "'Who will help me put out milk and cookies?' 'Not I,' said the reindeer. 'Why bother saying yes now?' said the penguin. 'I'm allergic,' said the hare." On Christmas morning, however, everyone is more than eager to assist in opening presents. Bonnet's more-than-helpful illustrations give an extra-festive boost to McGrath's already spirited version of a familiar tale. Even at their cheekiest, the reindeer, penguin, and hare look friendly and cuddly. The little red elf's "most positive of attitudes" shines through in the text and art, but the pictures also hint that, like her predecessor, she's no chump. Speaking of whom, the little red hen herself makes a cameo appearance in the poetically just ending.

—The Horn Book

About this edition

• Publisher: Charlesbridge
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 158089237X
• ISBN 13: 9781580892377
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Bonnet Rosalinde