An Elf for Christmas - Softcover

Michael Garland lives in Patterson, New York.

The understated title of this book and the cover illustration only hint at the grand adventure that unfolds inside. One Christmas Eve, Hieronimus Tingle, a diligent, hardworking elf, installs the steering controls on the last toy plane of the year, climbs in to admire his work, and promptly falls asleep. He awakens, disoriented, in the hands of a boy admiring his new plane from Santa. The rest of the book reveals a brave, resourceful Tingle journeying home to the North Pole. Despite the obstacles, Tingle is confident, and, as Santa says when Tingle makes it, "If there's no one around to help an elf, an elf should help himself." Garland's story is made vivid and memorable through his glowing paintings, which look computer enhanced and are filled with action and interesting perspectives. From the assembly-line scenes in Santa's workshop to Tingle's plane crashing and his ride on a polar bear's back, there is much for children to study and love, whether they believe in Santa Claus or not. Kathy Broderick