THE CHRISTMAS TREE ELF is a delightful Christmas tale that will appeal mostly to young children and their adults. The story is simple and clear, and the illustrations vivid. When Mr. and Mrs. Claus stroll through the Christmas tree forest with their dog Blazer, they are awestruck by its magnificence. When Santa explains that legend has it that the forest owes its beauty to the Magical Christmas Tree Elves, Mrs. Claus scoffs. Still, she can’t help but want a tree of her own. Next Christmas season, Santa, notorious for making our wishes come true, gives his wife her very first indoor Christmas tree. Oh, what a lovely tree it is! Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Blazer have a blast decorating, but they are very busy people, especially during the holiday season. Santa is terribly behind schedule in his toy workshop, and Mrs. Claus is busy cooking and baking Santa’s favorite holiday treats. Even Blazer, the dog, is preoccupied, sleeping and dreaming . . . until an ember from the fireplace lands on a Christmas tree branch, and threatens to burn the whole house down. Luckily, Blazer responds quickly, and a Christmas Tree Elf – yes, the kind Mrs. Claus doubted exists – intervenes.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE ELF offers a magical interpretation of how Santa came to hire elves in his workshop. The story also reminds readers and listeners that things of beauty require maintenance and attention. The illustrations are lovely, but not overdone, leaving plenty of room for imagination. Mr. and Mrs. Claus stick to their traditional roles as provider and homemaker, so this is not a bold or modern reinterpretation.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE ELF is a fun, enchanting tale the whole family can enjoy.
Reviewed by Lucy Wang for IndieReader