Hurry, Santa! - Softcover

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2?In this comic nightmare of a story, Santa oversleeps and encounters problem after problem on his annual nocturnal ride. He tries to round up his reindeer (who are having a snowball fight), gets started on his deliveries, and then crashes the sleigh into a snowdrift. A farm horse helps them get free and they finish just before dawn. Home at the North Pole, Santa is dismayed to find a present at the bottom of his sack. Did he forget a child? No. It is a new alarm clock from his animal friends. A skillful reading will amuse younger children with the silly antics of the old gent rushing about, but this story never takes flight. Santa worries, the animals nag, and the cumulative effect is more stressful than truly funny. Warnes's bright cartoons are stronger than the story and generate most of the humorous effect.?AC Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Booklist Ages 3^-5. The alarm doesn't go off, and Santa wakes up late for his very important date. The rest of the day is nothing but rush, rush, rush: first it's jumping into his clothes and rounding up the reindeer (not all of whom can be found), then it's getting stuck in a snowdrift and trying to play catch-up the whole trip. Santa does manage to finish his appointed rounds, and thinks he has delivered all the presents until he finds one left in the bag. Happily, it's for him, and it's just what he needs--an alarm clock! Little kids who themselves are often being rushed from place to place will appreciate Santa's hectic evening. The just-bordering-on-cartoon artwork is delightful. Warnes mixes the right amount of frenetic energy and laughs into watercolor-and-pen art that attracts attention with its brights colors and cute characterizations. Great for holiday story hours. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.