The Little Red Elf

An adorable Christmas retelling of The Little Red Hen that's the perfect reminder that everyone needs to help to make the holidays a success.

A busy little elf cleans up and organizes Santa's workshop all by herself, but when she asks for help from her lazy friends, the reindeer, the penguin, and the hare, no one wants to help.  She plants a pinecone herself, brings the Christmas tree indoors herself, and decorates it all by herself. She even puts out the milk and cookies for Santa herself. When the morning comes and it's time to open presents, the elf knows just how to reward her friends. 

A classic tale of hard work and just desserts, perfect for the holiday season.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 BookBarbara Barbieri McGrath has written over twenty books for children, including The Little Gray Bunny, The Little Green Witch, and many bestselling math concept books. 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.