The Oldest Elf

From Publishers Weekly You're never too old to deliver Christmas cheer?even if you're the oldest elf (or reindeer) on Santa's staff. While young whippersnappers busily buzz in the main workshop, Elwyn still builds toys the old-fashioned way in a quiet cellar room. But for all his care, Elwyn finishes his creations 20 minutes after Santa has taken to the skies on Christmas Eve. Fellow retiree Blitzen the reindeer comes through in the nick of time, and the experienced duo fly off to make their own special deliveries. Framed by his unmistakable, jaunty ink-and-watercolor art, Stevenson's (The Worst Person's Christmas) latest is thoroughly sweet, but lacks the punchy wit and heart-tugging tenderness found in many of his other works. Ages 5-up. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Scientific American In Santa's up-to-the-minute workshop, video games beep, battery-operated toys are the order of the day, and Blitzen has been replaced by a female reindeer, Josephine. Only Elwyn clings to the low-tech handmade playthings of the past, and he's so behind the times (his most recent calendar "said 1984") that he misses Santa's sleigh by 20 minutes. Elwyn's toy sack lies buried in the snow until Blitzen rallies the elf for a toy-delivery mission of their own.... Created by an elf who's no where near Elwyn's age, this Christmas fantasy is written with sweetness and wit, infused with nostalgia for the good old days, and brimming with appeal for the good old now. (Picture Book. 5+) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.