Close Modal

The Little Red Elf

Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
Look inside
Hardcover
$14.95 US
9.39"W x 9.31"H x 0.37"D   | 12 oz | 36 per carton
On sale Jul 01, 2009 | 32 Pages | 978-1-58089-236-0
Age 3-7 years | Preschool - 2
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell J
Who will help the little red elf prepare for Christmas?

This clever retelling of "The Little Red Hen" features a little red elf and her lazy friends: the hare, the penguin, and the reindeer. Everyone knows elves are industrious and always helping others. But when the Little Red Elf finds some pinecones, she asks for some help with planting them, watering them, and decorating the tree that grows from them. Not surprisingly, her friends decline.

It isn’t difficult for the Little Red Elf to stay positive, but on Christmas Day, after she’s cleaned all by herself and prepared treats all by herself, who will help her open all the presents under the beautiful tree?

Adorable illustrations by Rosalinde Bonnet are an abundance of cute and will put readers young and old in the proper holiday spirit.
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
Barbara Barbieri McGrath has written over twenty books for children, including The Little Gray BunnyThe Little Red Elf, and many bestselling math concept books. After graduating from Lasell College with a degree in Early Childhood Education, Barbara opened a preschool where she taught 4-5 year olds for sixteen years. 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. View titles by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Rosalinde Bonnet is the illustrator of Poppy's Best Paper; The Little Red Elf; Zip! Zoom! On a Broom; Pablo in the Snow; Ella and Penguin: A Perfect Match; and Ella and Penguin Stick Together. She is also the author and illustrator of several picture books, including Daddy Honk Honk! www.rosalindebonnet.com View titles by Rosalinde Bonnet

About

Who will help the little red elf prepare for Christmas?

This clever retelling of "The Little Red Hen" features a little red elf and her lazy friends: the hare, the penguin, and the reindeer. Everyone knows elves are industrious and always helping others. But when the Little Red Elf finds some pinecones, she asks for some help with planting them, watering them, and decorating the tree that grows from them. Not surprisingly, her friends decline.

It isn’t difficult for the Little Red Elf to stay positive, but on Christmas Day, after she’s cleaned all by herself and prepared treats all by herself, who will help her open all the presents under the beautiful tree?

Adorable illustrations by Rosalinde Bonnet are an abundance of cute and will put readers young and old in the proper holiday spirit.

Praise

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

Author

Barbara Barbieri McGrath has written over twenty books for children, including The Little Gray BunnyThe Little Red Elf, and many bestselling math concept books. After graduating from Lasell College with a degree in Early Childhood Education, Barbara opened a preschool where she taught 4-5 year olds for sixteen years. 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. View titles by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Rosalinde Bonnet is the illustrator of Poppy's Best Paper; The Little Red Elf; Zip! Zoom! On a Broom; Pablo in the Snow; Ella and Penguin: A Perfect Match; and Ella and Penguin Stick Together. She is also the author and illustrator of several picture books, including Daddy Honk Honk! www.rosalindebonnet.com View titles by Rosalinde Bonnet